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Dean’s List For Spring 2021 Announced

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2021 semester.

Acme – Charles Robert Heckman, II

Alexandria – David Lee McGuire

Altoona – Megan Marie Anslinger, Christopher Michael Bearer, Kaylin Nikole Becker, Emma Leigh Bender, Garrett Steven Burns, Lindsay Victoria Chamberlain, Julia Elizabeth Dambeck, Kyle Ashton Dennis, Edward Michael Drzewiecki, Alicia Ann Friedenberger, Karmiel Latoya Jackson, Herman Johnson, Scott Anthony Jurcik, Shaina Elizabeth Lear, Maura Marie Lowey, Katherine Rose Markel, Diamond Makaylah Mercer, Nickolas Douglas Overdorff, Taylor Rae Peters, Tam-Mara Madeline Stevens, Tanner John Dayne Umbower, Imani Vaughn, Angela E. Weber, Abigail White

Apollo – David Michael Sylvia

Armagh – Ashlyn N. Bowers, Luke William Means, Emily Patricia Ponchione, Kallista Joy Regan, Noah Michael Slippy, Berkley Noel Sutton

Ashville – Hannah Grace Krug

Aurora – Alyssa Erin Hoffman

Beaverdale – Melissa L. Haslam, Erica L. Kovalik

Bedford – Spencer Michael Jacobs

Belsano – Ira Lee Sickles

Berlin – Jennifer Ann Swope

Blairsville – Alyssa Marie Debnar

Blandburg – Bethany Kay Smeal

Boswell – Madison Jade Burkholder, Hannah Marie St. Clair, Cassidy Elaine Washabaugh

Broad Top – Makayla Paige Hinkel

Cadogan- Christopher Matthew Serafine

Cairnbrook – Christy Lou Fleegle, Brooke Rhianne Marek

Carrolltown – Andrew J. Cidor, Melissa A. Finet, Samuel R. Sottile

Cassville – Ryan Bookheimer

Central City – Briana Lyn Pakstis

Cherry Tree – Makayla Marie Price

Clarion – Joshua Taylor

Claysburg – Mackenzie Rose Clemens, Justin Michael Mauk

Coalport – Maria Jewel Henry

Colver – Emma Leigh Davis, Lee Ann Krumenacker, Lucas Kenneth Taylor

Confluence – Rebekah Lindsey Phillippi

Connellsville – Justin Thomas Thornton

Corry – Kreg Allen Schreckengost

Cresson – Kayla Marie Borque, Mary Lee Courtot, Kaitlyn Marie Eger, Angela Marie Forlina, Alison E. Gailey, Katrina Dawn Anne Smith, Rachel C. Verchereau

Davidsville – Kayla Mae Yoder

Dayton – Eric Dean Eckman

Delta – Jacob A. Puglia

Duncansville – Jade Kathryn Corbin, Erika Olivia Wilkie, Christopher Alexander Winters

East Freedom – Amber L. Weyant

Ebensburg – Brandy Lee Eckenrod, Cassidy Goshey, Amanda Blake Hart, Lauren Elizabeth Kiepert, Matthew Paul Kuzilla, Bridget Ann Llewellyn, Austin Gene McCready, Lewis William Prather III, Hope Marie Sodmont, Cody James Sral, Korin Arielle Templeton

Emeigh – Courtney Breeanna Williams

Export – Eric Jeffrey Hyland

Fallentimber – Katie Lynn Ness

Fenelton – Hunter Alan Miller

Friedens – Jennifer L. Grabill, Derek Michael James Zolla

Gallitzin – Andrew James Eger, Sherry Christine Hines, Julie Ann Madonna

Greensburg – Jesse F. Gruber, Abbigale Hunter Wentzel

Hastings – Alexander David Blake, Nicolas W. Bradley, Tyler J. Charney, MaKala Lee Stafford

Hesston – Angeline Nicole Grove

Hollidaysburg – Emily Grace Campbell, Kara Elizabeth Gallagher, Tiffany Lynn Kennedy, Joseph M. Mattern, Mikayla Renee McIntosh, Paige Jean Senne

Hollsopple – Kelsey Raye Branch, Renee Ivy Eash

Homer City – Braden Boothby, Christopher Allen Dutschmann

Hooversville – Autumn Rose Yuzwa, Hannah M. Zorn

Hopwood – Nathaniel Joseph Erminio

Houtzdale – Alex Francis Capitos

Hudson – Phillip Thomas Grainger

Huntingdon – Colby Paul Grubb

Hyndman – Nicole Bumbarger, Joseph A. Guercio

Indiana – Sydney Rebecca Wells

Irvona – Samantha Sue Leamer

James Creek – Doak Abram Hoenstine

Jenners – Joseph B. Hornick

Jerome – Kalie Morgan Lysic, Uriah Shane Peruso, Jennifer Sue Stouffer

Johnstown – Taylor N. Ahlborn, Gillian Elizabeth Ambroe, Vincent E. Andolina, Cassidy Faye Bailey, Abigail Rose Bartis, Omar Benslimane, Nathan Hunter Berkebile, Justin Dylan Bezek, Selena Marie Blough, Allyson Boring, Hannah Noelle Boring, Ashley Nichol Boyle, Elizabeth Irene Breen, Breanna M. Brittingham, Liam T. Coyne, Megan Rose Cunningham, Ian Christopher Danchanko, Hannah M. Davis, Heather A. Donatelli, Christopher Ceylon Durham, Gavin Robert Eash, Peter O. Echon, Justin Thomas Eckenrod, Ashley Lynn Eppley, Benjamin M. Feathers, Drewann Marie Gaydos, Kali Gladys Giebfried, Morna M. Haluska, Brady Matthew Harrison, Chelsea Rae Helsel, Hayden Charles Holsopple, Corey Lynn Hrivnak, Benjamin Blasé Johnson, Emily Kathryn Keiper, Brian Scott Kennedy, Shelly M. Kerchner, Thomas Raymond Keyser, Taylor Diane Kirby, Cameron M. Kleczek, Caleb Nethaniel Knaze, Ryan Alan Kniss, Lacey N. Krouse, Jerri Joy Leslie, Gavin Parker Lewis, Abigail Anna Majercsik, Teresa A. Marion, Aliyah L. Naylor, Laura Lee Neatrour, Thomas Albert Opdenhoff, Lauren Michele Ozog, Pooja Anil Parekh, Jenna Marie Pavlosky, Dawn M. Pringle, Lindsey Marie Pullin, Hannah Elizabeth Rietscha, Jason Paul Rilogio, Tyler James Rodman, Shane J. Ross, William F. Roth, Elizabeth A. Ruszkoski, Rylee Morgan Sabo, Lucas Robert Sabol, Joshua Aaron Schalles, Jennifer L. Schario, Adrian P. Shane, Alexis Kira Shank, Emily Paige Sherry, Jordan Elizabeth Slavick, Victoria Frances Smothers, Sophia Miles Straw, Elizabeth Ann Stricker, Joseph J. Stringent, Star L. Surma, Emma Mae Tavalsky, David Michael Truscello, Amber Nicole Turner, Brianna Marie Tustin, Taelur Marie Vargo, Emmalie F. Vitalie, Nancy A. Webb, Grace A. Weinzierl, Alexander Michael Wherthey, Zachary David Whitcomb, Victoria Marie Winfield, Brent T. Zierer, McKenzie R. Zukus

Kunkletown – Nicole Schifano

Ligonier – Lexie A. Ambrose

Lilly – Lauren Marie Suchta

Loretto – Jeannie M. Crane, Morghan Theresa Krug

Mansfield – Colton James Pierce

Mapleton Depot – Kaitlin N. Arnold, Trey William Bennett

Martinsburg – Nicholas Allen Bechtel, Jessi M. Delozier, Kayla Ann Imler

McVeytown – Connor Nicholas Fultz

Mechanicsburg – Alexis Clifford

Meyersdale – Eric Steven Beckner, Carissa Nicole Miller, Alan Andrew Mognet, Lakyn Elizabeth Roadman, Lillian M. Whitacre

Mineral Point – Aaron Michael Fenchak, Kenneth Glenn Findley, Ty Frederick Keilman, Lauryn Mae McCullough, Kaylee J. Meier

Mount Union – Devin R. Delo, Nicholas Scott Hurley, Chloe Lane Schiffel

Nanty Glo – Emerson Mary George, Kira M. Gongloff, Stephen James Hauck, Jennifer Diane Kinter, Michaella N. Smick, Isaac Michael Thomas, Haley Michael Rhine

New Florence – Payton Krishelle Colson, Cheyanne M. Gregorich

New Kensington – Timothy Richard Conroy

Newry – Donny Hoffman

Northern Cambria – Ariel Martina Dospoy, Jeffrey Stephen Degol, Tanya Nicole Deyarmin, Reilly P. Hill, Delilah Lee Laney, Liana N. Laughard, Brennen James Lee, Joel G. Ludwig, Sydnee Laurel Miller, Abigail Theresa Montanaro, Johniemarie Olenchick, Gabriell Cassandra Peles, Hannah Elsie Phillips, Sydney Madison Sheredy, Lauren A. Sichko, Richard James Wiewiora

Patton – Jacob Leo Beebe, Zachary J. Farabaugh, Maddelyn Paige Hoover, Nicolas Scott Painter, Kelsey Louise Rematt, Cassidy Erin Ringler, Robert Eugene Tinker

Penn Run – Seth E. Fyock

Petersburg – Tricia May Farine, Gabriel David McMahon, Brittany Marie Waite

Portage – Skyler Daniel Baran-Wozniak, Richelle Irene Brown, Lucas William Jubina, Corey Kopnicky, Emily Krall, Joshua A. Krumenacker, Bella Nicole Nagy, Madison Elise Piatak, Garrett David Sanner, Cody James Schrift

Revloc – Danielle A. Hardsock, Ashley Michelle Patterson

Ridgeley – Logan Edward Corwell

Roaring Spring – Jenna Marie Carder, Katelynn Frye Carter, Waverly Elaine Harshbarger, Breana L. Weimert

Robertsdale – Devin Jeffrey Swope

Rockwood – Stephanie Christine Dwire, Hanna Lee Hoover, Molly R. Hostetler

Saint Benedict – Kelly Jo Bassett, Ashley N. McLucas

Saint Marys – Allison Rae Vollmer

Saint Michael – Christopher Kyle Kurchak, Alayna R. Plaza

Saint Petersburg – Jacob Isaiah Kriebel

Salix – Maria Hope Carosi, Levi Grigg, Priscilla L. Ryman, Noah Michael Webb

Saltillo – Brantley Lee Collins

Scottdale – Lee Eric Newcomer

Seward – Justin Robert Higgins, Tessa G. Rudnik

Shelocta – Joseph D. Spohn

Shirleysburg – Caylin Reeder, Griffin Frederick Scott, Kendra Wertz

Sidman – Ashlyn Hope Hamara, Livia Faith Hamara, Michelle Marie Schmidt

Six Mile Run – Marlee Deborah Wallace

Somerset – Melanie Cathryn Downing, Sarah Renee Fleegle, Tyson J. Hostetler, Krystal Elizabeth Knupp, Colby Graham Myers, Erin Elizabeth Pyle

South Fork – Allison Denise Gustkey, Jessica Dawn Ickes, Sara Nicole Units

Spring Church – Justin Thomas Donelow

Stoystown – Lily Patricia Grace, Casey A. Romus

Summerhill – Kendra Nicole Fox

Three Springs – Mason R. Farine, Wyatt Preston Long

Todd – Catherine Estella Cavanaugh

Twin Rocks – Stephen A. Karal

Tyrone – Jonathan Crocefoglia, John Andrew Lehner, Devin Matthew Phillips

Uniontown – Cassandra M. Filcheck

Vintondale – Garrett D. Smith

Wells Tannery – Maiah Mellott

Westover – Brandon Arnold

Williamsburg – Danelle Florence Roberts

Windber – Michelle Rose Bartkovich, Kacey Marie Berdomas, Tyler Robert Bush, Haley Nicole Crum, Brooke Nicole Elliott, Evie Adelia Johnson, Matthew David Kaiser, Trinity Paige Krause, Ronald L. Mayo, Marlayna Grace Miller, Dylan Jack Napora, Alyssa Marie Ott, Colton Steele Platt, Kayla Shuster, Debra M. Slagle, Matthew James Walker, Jonas D. Wissinger

The Mother Of All Support Systems

The original column appeared in the Tribune-Democrat , written by Dr. Steve Nunez. Click here to see original sourced column.

With both commencement ceremonies completed at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College for this year, I cannot help but reflect on the graduating class of 2021.

The graduates had so many obstacles to overcome, and yet, despite them, graduated anyway. I am proud of their accomplishments, and it was great to get to meet many of them in person.

During my 25-year career in higher education, I have learned that very few students graduate without the support of some mentor or loved one.

The transition to and through higher education is a difficult one, and most of us on that journey need a cheerleader to encourage us to persevere during the hardest of times. I was lucky, as I had two parents who encouraged and supported my educational journey – and the journeys of my sister and brother.

As I mention often, I attended a local community college, where a small teacher-to-student ratio and excellent student support systems allowed me to thrive academically and grow into my own skin. After graduating from the community college, I transferred to Virginia Tech, a university of more than 25,000 students. However, I quickly felt diminished to a student identification number, and in some cases, was relegated to classes with hundreds of other students.

I received a fabulous education from Virginia Tech, and I have many fond memories there, but I had a very difficult transition from my community college, where I had personalized attention, to this large university, and consequently, I struggled academically my first semester.

Parenting is a gratifying but difficult job – and is an imperfect science at best. As most parents will attest, raising a family is hard work, which I confirmed when I helped raise two boys of my own. I have enormous respect for what my mother did, seemingly without much complaint, as she worked as a full-time elementary school teacher and helped raise a family. She worked all day, shopped for groceries, cleaned the house, and cooked for her family, and yet, I never felt alone. Somehow mom was always there when I needed her. Sometimes it was as simple as giving me a hug or a peanut butter sandwich. Other times, well, I may have required a literal kick in the pants. But simply being there for me was, and continues to be, enormous.

So, I was a young man at Virginia Tech, seemingly in over his head, who had lost confidence in his abilities. I was mentally and emotionally exhausted and ready to give up. It was clear to me that I was out of my element, and so, I called my mother to tell her I wasn’t cut out for Virginia Tech, that this wasn’t the place for me, and I was coming home. It was a declaration, not a question.

I sometimes wonder if my mother even remembers this phone call. But I do, and it was short and to the point – paraphrasing, she replied to my declaration, “You aren’t giving up. You aren’t coming home. Figure it out.”

We then went on to discuss some strategies to help me move forward and be successful. My mother gave me some “tough love” that day and it was exactly what I needed. The easy thing to do was to quit – the more difficult path was to figure it out.

Even today, I consider my mom a great friend and confidant, and I recognize that she will always love and care for me as much today as a 50-year-old adult as her awkward 5-year-old son. But one of my mom’s greatest gifts was to raise us, her children, with the confidence to go pursue our dreams and conquer the world.

Congratulations to all the local graduates!

Written By Dr. Steve Nunez, College’s Fifth President. This monthly series appears in The Tribune-Democrat, and will allow Dr. Nunez to provide his perspective on the value of education and of a community college. 

Area Youth Invited To Compete In MLB® Jr. Home Run Derby™ Competition

On Saturday, June 12^th, at Northern Cambria Middle School, the Penn Highlands Community College Ebensburg Student Activity Club will host a free Major League Baseball® Jr. Home Run Derby™ Competition for area youth beginning at 11 AM. The Major League Baseball® Jr. Home Run Derby™, powered by @MLBdevelops, is a fun and exciting youth competition for talented youngsters to showcase their hitting abilities, with the opportunity of competing at the Finals during the World Series™.

Boys and girls are divided into two age divisions: 12U and 14U, and will have the chance to advance through three levels of competition. The Local Champions from both age divisions will advance to the Regional Level, and Regional Champions will advance to the Finals, which will take place during the 2021 World Series™.

All participants must pre-register online athttp://pennh.cc/HRDerby and plan to bring age verification (copy/picture of birth certificate or similar) to the competition. Additionally, those who bring a canned good item to donate to a local food pantry will earn entry into a basket raffle. Raffle tickets are provided for each canned good item.

For questions concerning the competition, please contact Robert Sekerak, Local Coordinator and Penn Highlands Regional Center Director, at 814.471.0013 or rsekerak@pennhighlands.edu.

Click here to learn more about this event.

Penn Highlands To Host Virtual Workforce Symposium

On Wednesday, May 19^th, from 8 AM to 10 AM, Penn Highlands Community College will host a virtual Workforce Development Symposium. This symposium will bring together local business, industry, and community leaders to discuss their workforce needs with Penn Highlands.

Sheila Ireland, the Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary of Workforce Development, will kick-off the event with a keynote address. Below is an agenda of the day’s events:

• Introduction (Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands Community College)
• Keynote Address (Sheila Ireland, PA Deputy Secretary of Workforce Development)
• Panel Discussion #1: Meeting Your Training Needs
• Breakout Session
• Panel Discussion #2: Using WEDnetPA Funding and Participating in the Program
• Questions
• Adjournment

Penn Highlands hopes to identify and help solve the following pain points that our local employers currently possess through immersive panel discussions on the following during the event:

• Technical training opportunities
• Soft skill training opportunities
• Customized short-term certificates and two-year degrees that fill employment gaps
• Partnerships that boost overall regional effectiveness through synergy
• WEDnetPA funding and how to participate

“Penn Highlands is excited to bring our region’s business and industry leaders together in one forum to discuss their workforce training needs,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands Community College. “We hope this event will allow us to identify additional opportunities where Penn Highlands can deliver relevant, highly trained employees for their needs.”

• Click here to learn more.
• Click here to register.

Four Students Named To The All-PA Academic Transfer & Workforce Pathway Team

The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges recently announced the 27th Annual All-Pennsylvania Academic Team. This honor recognizes an exceptional group of community college students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities.

Four of those honored were from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The following students were honored and are members of the All-Pennsylvania Academic Transfer and Workforce Pathway Team:

• Maddelyn Hoover, of Patton, will graduate in May 2021 with a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences (A.A.).
• Isabella Nagy, of Portage, will graduate in May 2021 with a degree in Psychology (A.A.).
• Madison Piatak, of Portage, will graduate in May 2021 with a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences (A.A.).
• Sydney Wells, of Indiana, will graduate in May 2021 with a degree in Child Development (A.A.S.). Sydney is the Workforce Pathway Scholar for Penn Highlands Community College.

Maddelyn Hoover

Isabella Nagy

Madison Piatak

Sydney Wells

Overall, the 2021 awardees included 46 outstanding community college transfer scholars and 15 exceptional workforce pathway scholars from across the Commonwealth. Transfer students must have completed at least 36 credits at a community college and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher to be considered for these awards. Workforce students must have a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours at a community college and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Pennsylvania’s community colleges partner with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities to provide scholarships to eligible All-Pennsylvania Transfer Team members at PASSHE institutions, providing two years of tuition at any PASSHE school.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College congratulates these students on their academic achievements and looks forward to what each of their futures will hold.

About Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges
The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges is a voluntary membership association for Pennsylvania’s community colleges. Its members include the college presidents, members of the colleges’ boards of trustees, and key college administrators. The Commission represents the interests of and advocates for the collective needs of the community colleges to federal and state policymakers. For more information, please visit www.pacommunitycolleges.org.