Newsroom

Medical Assisting Technology Transitioning To An Accelerated One-Year Program

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has transitioned the Medical Assisting Technology associate degree from a two-year program to a more streamlined one-year diploma program. 

This update aims to provide Medical Assisting Technology students with essential professional skills, enabling them to enter the workforce more quickly than a traditional associate degree would.  

Medical Assisting Technology offers comprehensive preparation for students to excel in the intricate settings of physician offices, hospital business services, and other healthcare facilities. Graduates emerge with the expertise to manage a medical office and provide patient care efficiently. 

The program will decrease from 60 to 32 credits, with the curriculum consisting of a fall and spring semester, as well as a practicum and a seminar over the ensuing summer term. Most classes are conducted in person to facilitate essential hands-on training and enhance engagement skills vital for the profession. 

“This is an exciting opportunity for students to receive the same quality courses from the associate degree, but in a shorter timeframe,” stated Erica Reighard, Dean of Faculty. “This allows Penn Highlands to respond to and help fulfill the growing need for positions across the state.” 

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 14 percent increase in medical assistant employment from 2022 to 2032, a rate significantly exceeding the average growth across all occupations. 

Around 114,000 openings for medical assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. In the Southern Alleghenies region, a 24.1% increase in job openings is projected by 2030. 

Click here for more information on Medical Assisting Technology. This program is offered in-person at the College’s Richland Campus and the Somerset Center. 

Foundation’s Chef Auction Raises Over $50,000 For Scholarships

For the second year in a row, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation hosted a highly successful Chef Auction at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, raising over $50,000 to support local students pursuing higher education.

All proceeds will benefit both the Supporting Scholars Fund and future culinary arts scholarships at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The Supporting Scholars Fund comprises three distinct scholarships awarded annually to multiple recipients: the Destination Graduation, Emerging Leader, and Presidential Scholarships.

Culinary students Allison Drass, Patrick Penrod, Zak Salem, and Alex Babal, as well as Chef and Culinary instructor John Dusack, prepared food for the opening reception. In addition, Supporting Scholars Adelyn Dull and Olivia Cavallo shared how the scholarship fund has significantly contributed to shaping their futures.

“Overall, the Chef Auction was a great success,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “Attendees enjoyed delicious meals from area restaurants and met the students who benefit from their contributions. It was a memorable night, and I’m glad it could be part of the College’s overall 30th anniversary festivities.”

Eight restaurants participated in providing dinner for more than 200 attendees, with some also supplying packages for the live auction. Overall, more than $35,000 was raised, which was paired with a $15,000 donation from the 1889 Foundation to achieve the grand total.

The event consisted of 11 silent auction items and eight live auction packages to bid on. Nine baskets were given away in a raffle, five luxury vacations were awarded in a separate auction, and a 50/50 drawing was held.

The UPMC Altoona Foundation and Worklink Staffing served as Master Chef sponsors for the event, alongside 13 Executive Chef and 12 Sous Chef sponsors.

“I would like to thank all of our sponsors, the participating restaurants, and the staff at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Center,” VanMeter stated. “I would like to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of all the event volunteers. Their contributions made the evening truly special. I am already looking forward to next year.”

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation actively pursues financial support for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and its students. It achieves this by cultivating relationships, raising funds, and expertly managing resources.

Volunteers from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, including (from left) Dane Lamont, Morgan Dugan, Sonya Augustine, Olivia Cavallo (student), Adelyn Dull (student), Matthew Stumpf, Autumn Hogan, and Carole VanMeter, pose for a photo following the Chef Auction at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Center on October 9.

Fall Open House Set For November

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will host a Fall Admissions & Athletics Open House on Monday, November 11, at the College’s Richland Campus and Blair, Centre County, Ebensburg, and Somerset locations.   

The Open House will have two sessions, the first at 2:30 PM and the second at 5:30 p.m. Those who wish to attend can RSVP by visiting www.pennhighlands.edu/openhouse/.  The event is open to the public.  

“Whether you’re considering starting this January or want to get a head start for next year, this is a great time to see how your local community college can benefit you,” stated Matthew Bodenschatz, Director of Recruiting & Admissions.  

Attendees will go through the admissions and financial aid processes, learn about activities, academics, and athletics, take a tour, and have one-on-one conversations with an admissions counselor to discuss their futures.  

Those who attend will also get the chance to connect with a knowledgeable faculty member who specializes in teaching courses in their specific area of study. The Richland Campus is scheduled to have three-to-four faculty members, while others will have one or two.   

Directions and addresses for all locations can be found on our website at www.pennhighlands.edu/locations/. Those who fill out a survey upon attending will be entered in a drawing to win a $250 scholarship. 

Annual Community Trick or Treat Set For Late October

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be celebrating the Halloween season by hosting its annual Community Trick or Treat event on Monday, October 28, from 5:30 to 7 PM at the College’s Richland Campus.

The event will feature a haunted house, a craft station, a special spooky show for the kids, and trick-or-treating on the C-Level of the Richland Campus.

Intended for families with children who are 12 years old and under, this event is an experience that is not easily forgotten. Faculty, staff, and students will be on-hand to give out free treats (while supplies last) and provide a unique Halloween experience to visitors.

Averaging around 1,000 visitors each year, we are prepared for that number and more, as we continue with this community and family tradition.

We kindly ask visitors to park and enter through the main gymnasium entrance. Lastly, we are asking you to leave your pets at home, as pets are not permitted on our campus (service animals are allowed).

Further details can be obtained by contacting the College’s Student Activities Office at 814.262.6463 or email studentactivities@pennhighlands.edu.

Steve Costea Hired As Head Softball Coach

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has hired Steve Costea as the new head coach of the Women’s Softball team.

Costea succeeds former head coach Cory Shay, who guided the Black Bears through their inaugural three seasons from 2021 to 2024.

“I first want to thank Penn Highlands President Dr. Steve Nunez for the opportunity to join the college,” Costea stated. “One of the main things that drew me here was the administration and the people I have worked with at the college, especially Student Activities and Athletics Director Sue Brugh. Once I saw her vision for the future, I knew Penn Highlands would be a good fit.”

Costea comes to Penn Highlands with more than 40 years of coaching experience. Most notably, Costea spent 29 years as the head baseball coach at Somerset Area High School, where he amassed 400 career wins and had just one losing season in nearly three decades.

He led Somerset to 19 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference (LHAC) titles, eight district championships, and was named LHAC Coach of the Year 16 times. Costea’s accolades earned him an induction into the Somerset County Oldtimers Association Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Costea has been an assistant coach for local 16U and 18U travel softball teams for four years, and he has served as the assistant coach at Berlin Brothersvalley High School for three seasons.

“I want to make this program better and move it to a higher level, as well as help any player who wants to play softball,” Costea stated. “Academics will come first, then the athletics and family aspect. I understand the College prides itself on being one big family, and I aim to instill that same value within the team.”

A resident of the Laurel Highlands area, Costea also previously coached football, swimming, and wrestling.

Steve Costea