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Penn Highlands Foundation Awards Over $22,000 in Scholarships

Lauren Sichko accepting her JRISA Scholarship Award: (L to R) Kathleen Morrell, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement; Lauren Sichko, JRISA Scholarship Award Recipient; and Dr. Kamal Gella, Gella LLC and JRISA Scholarship Donor.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is excited to announce the distribution of more than $22,000 in scholarship money to students for the 2020-2021 academic year. These scholarships, sponsored by numerous businesses and area philanthropists, are fostered and maintained by the Penn Highlands Community College Foundation.

Foundation scholarships are vital in supporting aid to students in need within our region while at the same time ensuring that we are fulling our mission: To seek and secure financial support for the College and its students by raising friends ands funds while successfully managing resources and relationships within the surround communities.

The Foundation is proud to announce the following 2020-2021 Academic Scholarship Recipients:

• American Association of University Women (AAUW), Johnstown Branch Scholarship: Brianna Tustin (Johnstown, PA)

• Dr. Walter and Kim Asonevich Scholarship: Jocelynn Galat (Asheville, PA)

• College Employee Supported Scholarship: Evie Johnson (Derry, PA)

• Griffith Family Scholarship: Chloe Schiffel (Mount Union, PA)

• Dr. Edward Haluska Scholarship: Jennifer Charbonneau (Meyersdale, PA)

• Daniel and Diane Holtzman Scholarship: Lauren Sichko (Northern Cambria, PA)

• Kathy Holtzman Memorial Scholarship: Kylee Hamilton (Parkhill, PA)

• Huntingdon Hope Scholarship: Jonathan Crocefoglia (Tyrone, PA)

• Amanda Jenkins State Farm Scholarship: Angelina Grove (Hesston, PA)

• Johnstown Regional Indian Subcontinent Association (JRISA) Scholarship: Lauren Sichko (Northern Cambria, PA)

• Joseph and Joan Mangarella Scholarship: Leah Farabaugh (Ebensburg, PA)

• Dale W. Miller Scholarship: Scott Griffin (Shirleysburg, PA)

• National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Scholarship: Elizabeth Ruszkoski (Johnstown, PA), Sierria Echon (Johnstown, PA)

• Ursula Pawlowski Memorial Scholarship: Jennifer Stouffer (Jerome, PA)

• Roth Family Scholarship: Makayla Langenbacher (Hollidaysburg, PA), Kendra Culp (Altoona, PA), Imani Vaughn (Altoona, PA), Casey Mabry (Altoona, PA)

• Somerset VFW Scholarship: Jacqueline Ziatyk (New Florence, PA)

• Stoystown American Legion Scholarship: Danelle Roberts (Williamsburg, PA)

• Supporting Success Scholarship: Danelle Roberts (Williamsburg, PA), Kylee Hamilton (Parkhill, PA), Kendra Culp (Altoona, PA), Elizabeth Ruszkoski (Johnstown, PA)

• Valenty Scholarship: Emilee Wertz (Altoona, PA)

• Anna D. Weitz Scholarship: Lauren Wiseman (Johnstown, PA)

• Stan and Helen Westbrook Scholarship: Nicholas Hurley (Mount Union, PA)

Mentorship Matters

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

When I was a young man of 19 years, I was a sophomore at my local community college. At the time, I was majoring in history and had postponed taking any science classes. But by the fall of 1990, I could no longer avoid them, and I found myself sitting in my first college biology class. It felt dreadful.

It was here that I met my first mentor. It was in that classroom, over two semesters, that a young, excited, intelligent, fun professor taught me about the world of science in general, and biology specifically.

I was transfixed by his engaging teaching style and interesting take on the world. As a student, I couldn’t wait to attend his class.

But it was his kindness, his love for teaching, his individual attention and nudging, that eventually helped me turn my sights toward majoring in biology and to seek a career in science. Thank you, Dr. Bruce Gillihan.

Mentors are just as valuable to adults. A little more than five years ago, Sauk Valley Community College hired a new president.

He quickly won over his leadership team with his ability to relate to them, to believe in them, and to create opportunities that stretched them professionally.

His encouragement, friendship, and faith in me eventually led me to apply, and ultimately win, this job as president at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

His only glaring flaw was his undying love for the Green Bay Packers, but none of us is perfect. Thank you, Dr. David Hellmich.

When I was taking my doctoral classes on leadership and still thinking about and refining my own leadership style, I found myself thinking back to the virtues and values of my parents. They treated everyone with kindness and respect, despite any ideological differences. They taught me to be open-minded, that you could disagree without being disagreeable, that the way you communicate is as important as what you communicate.

I hope that I carry those same virtues and values with me in my leadership role here at the college. Thank you, Patsy and Frank Nunez, or Mom and Dad, as I call you.

Mentors come in many varieties.

Most mentors, I believe, don’t even recognize that they are providing mentorship. In truth, mentors are just people who have taken professional interest in another person and provide guidance, much like a professional “parent,” and encourage, offer advice, and help direct or redirect a mentee’s focus.

I look back at my life and see that I am standing on the shoulders of many who took an interest in me, who became willing mentors and nudged me (or sometimes pushed me) to be the professional and human being I am today.

Thanks to all of you who have helped me in this journey of mine.

Today I challenge you, the reader, to take a few minutes of your day and think of those people who may have changed your life for the better and reach out to them, if possible, to thank them.

And, then find some time in the future to talk about and recognize them, to share those stories that celebrate their lives, with your friends and family.

Ultimately, mentorship matters.

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. 

Sixteen HS Students Earn Board of Trustees Scholarship

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate the following high school students who were awarded the College’s Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship:

• Ashley Bubenko of Windber, PA (Windber Area High School)
• Paul Buriak of Johnstown, PA (Conemaugh Valley High School)
• Katelynn Carter of Roaring Spring, PA (Home School)
• Tyler Charney of Hastings, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Payton Colson of New Florence, PA (United High School)
• Ariel Dospoy of Northern Cambria, PA (Northern Cambria High School)
• Noah Drumm of Altoona, PA (Altoona Area High School)
• Sydnee Miller of Northern Cambria, PA (Northern Cambria High School)
• Makayla Price of Cherry Tree, PA (Harmony Area High School)
• Erin Pyle of Somerset, PA (Rockwood Area High School)
• Haley Rhine of Nanty-Glo, PA (Blacklick Valley High School)
• Chloe Schiffel of Mount Union, PA (Mount Union High School)
• Lauren Sichko of Northern Cambria, PA (Bishop Carroll High School)
• Samuel Sottile of Carrolltown, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• MaKala Stafford of Hastings, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Emma Tavalsky of Ebensburg, PA (Central Cambria High School)

This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors in our region that demonstrate excellence in academics and extracurricular activities. Eligible students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in their high school career, participate in various activities, and demonstrate leadership throughout their community.

Scholarship recipients receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to complete an associate degree. Pennsylvania Highlands would like to honor and congratulate these students for their outstanding work.

Ashley Bubenko

Paul Buriak

Katelynn Carter

Tyler Charney

Payton Colson

Ariel Dospoy

Noah Drumm

Sydnee Miller

Makayla Price

Erin Pyle

Haley Rhine

Chloe Schiffel

Lauren Sichko

Samuel Sottile

MaKala Stafford

Emma Tavalsky

Madison Piatak & Sydney Wells Named Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate Madison Piatak, of Portage, and Sydney Wells, of Indiana, for being named 2020 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars. Each is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members to receive this honor and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. Nearly 700 applications were received.

Madison Piatak graduated from Portage Area High School in Portage, PA. She is currently attending Penn Highlands Community College for a degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Sydney Wells graduated from Indiana Area High School in Indiana, PA. She is currently attending the Penn Highlands Community College Ebensburg Center, seeking a degree in Child Development.

Madison Piatak

Sydney Wells

A total of $207,000 is awarded through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and provides seven Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships, earmarked for international students.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

The funds provided by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation not only aid college completion, but also give students the opportunity to engage in Society programs and develop leadership skills to become future leaders in their communities.

“Research shows that Phi Theta Kappa members are four times more likely to complete a college degree than their peers,” said Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “The Leaders of Promise Scholarships recognize students for what they have achieved already and assure that financial need isn’t an obstacle to achieving their academic goals.”

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at www.ptk.org.

Black Bear Cafe Under New Management

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Black Bear Cafe, located on our Richland Campus, is now under new management. Penn Highlands has partnered with A. Thomas Management Company (operator of the Thomahawk Deli & Grill in Davidsville, PA) to provide excellent dining for all students, faculty, staff, and guests.

For hours and menu items, click here.