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Penn Highlands Designated A National Center Of Academic Excellence In Cyber Defense

The National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have designated Pennsylvania Highlands Community College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE2Y). This specific designation applies to two-year institutions and Penn Highlands’ designation lasts through the 2023 academic year.

Academic institutions, like Pennsylvania Highlands, are designated as CAEs in Cyber Defense by undergoing an in-depth assessment and demonstrating they can meet the rigorous requirements needed to garner this designation. Sponsored by NSA and DHS, the CAE in Cyber Defense program aims to reduce vulnerabilities in our national information infrastructure.

“Thanks to the dedication and expertise of our faculty, Pennsylvania Highlands is the only two-year college in Pennsylvania west of Allentown and one of only four academic institutions (two or four-year) in western Pennsylvania accredited by the NSA and DHS,” stated Dr. Kevin Slonka, Assistant Professor, Computer Science. “This marks us as an elite school in the cybersecurity arena and affirms that our students are receiving an education of the highest quality.”

Cybersecurity professionals report an average salary of $116,000, which is nearly three times the national average (Source: National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies, DHS). As the demand for highly trained cybersecurity professionals grows, CAEs will continue to equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to protect and defend our nation’s infrastructures.

The Cyber Security Center at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College helped the college meet the increasing demands necessary to be honored with the CAE designation. The Cyber Security Center houses the college’s Information Technology: Cyber Security associate degree program, which provides students with the ability to not only administer networks, but to also secure those networks and conduct penetration tests, ensuring those networks are not vulnerable to attacks.

Cyber Security graduates are expertly trained in computer hardware, operating systems, networking, databases, programming, and defensive and offensive security. They can enter the workforce immediately or transfer into a four-year program at colleges/universities through articulation agreements as a junior.

Pennsylvania Highlands has six locations throughout the Southern Alleghenies region that serve residents of western Pennsylvania. The Cyber Security Center can be found at the Richland Campus.

About Information Technology: Cyber Security (Associate Degree)
To obtain the Associate of Applied Science Information Technology: Cyber Security, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 63 credits based on general education and specific major courses. Students cover aspects of the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), CompTIA Linux+, Net+, Security+ and A+, Wireshark Certified Network Analyst, and the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker certifications.

Homecoming 2018 Culminates With Community Family Day & 5K Race

Homecoming 2018 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will take place the week of September 17. Throughout the week, there will be various activities and community service projects for students and employees.

Student clubs and organizations will host “Spirit Week” Monday through Friday at each of the College’s locations in Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon, and Somerset counties.

Homecoming 2018 will culminate with Family Day on Saturday, September 22, from 8 AM to 2 PM. Family Day will include:

• 9 AM: Black Bear 5K (Details Below – Registration Required)
• 10AM – 2PM: Free activities include Interactive Inflatables, Kids Crafts, Picnic Lunch, Games, Caricatures, Temporary Tattoos

The College Foundation’s annual Black Bear 5K is on Saturday, September 22, and is sponsored by Wessel & Company. Registration begins at 8 AM and the race will begin at 9 AM. Pre-registration for the event is $15.00 and race-day registration is $20.00. Proceeds from the race will benefit College programs initiatives at Penn Highlands Community College.

For more information about Homecoming 2018, please contact the President’s Office at 814.262.3820.

Wolf Administration Visits Penn Highlands; Highlights Job Training & New PAsmart Initiative

Today, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak and Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development Eileen Cipriani toured Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, and participated in a local business roundtable in Johnstown, highlighting Governor Tom Wolf’s PAsmart initiative in job training programs and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education to help job seekers obtain good, middle-class jobs in 21st century careers.

“Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is working to build career pipelines to in-demand jobs in health care and STEM-related industries by providing students with post-secondary education and stackable credentials to meet local employers’ needs,” said Secretary Oleksiak. “Governor Wolf is proposing historic new investments through PAsmart to improve access for Pennsylvania students and workers to education and job training programs to ensure that students and job seekers receive the real-world skills they need to obtain good, middle-class jobs.”

PAsmart, a first-of-its-kind $30 million investment, is a new way of thinking about job training and workforce development by providing targeted funding for apprenticeship programs, STEM education, computer science, and more, so students and workers get the training and skills needed for in-demand, middle-class jobs.

Secretary Oleksiak and Deputy Secretary Cipriani toured the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College health care program and met with students and educators. The college recently approved a new Patient Care Technician certificate program that will be offered to students this fall. Wolf Administration officials also visited the engineering tech and computer science labs.

“Education and training programs like those offered at Pennsylvania Highland Community College that rely on cooperation between local businesses, educators, and local government officials to train and upskill the regional workforce provide positive benefits to employers and job seekers alike,” said Cipriani.

After the tour, the secretary and deputy secretary sat down with Rep. Bryan Barbin, Cambria County President Commissioner Tom Chernisky and representatives from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce, Convergys, Goodwill Industries, Forest Hills School District, Johnstown Area Regional Industries, Johnstown Welding and Fabrications Inc., PA CareerLink® Cambria County, North American Hoganas, Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board, and Riggs Industries to discuss workforce development initiatives.

“We are most effective in meeting the training needs of our region when both businesses and government support our efforts,” stated Pennsylvania Highlands Community College President Dr. Walter Asonevich. “We depend on the partnerships we have with hospitals, manufacturers, the county commissioners, and so many others to provide the training needed in the most cost-effective way.”

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is located in Johnstown with locations in Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counties. Pennsylvania Highlands provides academic programs designed to prepare students for entry into the workplace or to transfer and continue their education at other higher education institutions. Pennsylvania Highlands works closely with businesses and industries to provide workforce training and continuing education opportunities to employees in the region.

Last month, the governor signed an executive order to cut red tape and improve coordination between several state agencies to more effectively deliver workforce development services to Pennsylvanians. Under the executive order, the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board, the governor’s private sector policy advisor, will provide recommendations on the distribution of the $30 million in PAsmart funding, which will be driven out through competitive grants. This collaboration will help to ensure the investments meet employers’ need for skilled workers and that workers are gaining the skills for good, middle-class jobs that will grow Pennsylvania’s economy.

For more information about pursuing an education and career in Pennsylvania at any stage of life, visit PAsmart.

Article Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

Cambria County College Fair Happening in Johnstown

The 16th Annual Cambria County College Fair, sponsored by Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, will be held on Tuesday, September 11th, at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center. This year’s College Fair will take place from 8:30am to 11am, with students coming in from across the region.

The mission of the College Fair is to promote higher education and future opportunities to not only high school students and their families, but to the public as well. The Cambria County College Fair helps local community members find and discover the many educational and career opportunities that are right in their back yard.

Numerous high schools are taking part, including Blacklick Valley, Conemaugh Township, Conemaugh Valley, Ferndale, Forest Hills, Johnstown, Portage, Richland, Westmont, Windber, and more.

Colleges and universities from all over the state of Pennsylvania will be on-hand to meet with and assist guests regarding their educational and career needs. With so many institutions attending, there is something for everyone: technical schools, business colleges, cosmetology schools and universities, branches of the military, banks, local businesses, and more.

The Cambria County College Fair is here to better our community, please take part or stop by. The College Fair is happening on September 11th. Be a part of something special and help us promote this community event to make it a great success.

For more details on the College Fair, contact Pennsylvania Highlands Community College at 1.888.385.PEAK or by emailing Daun Boyle, Assistant to the Vice President of Student Services, at dboyle@pennhighlands.edu.

Carley Denner Of Berlin Named Women’s Volleyball Head Coach

Carley Denner, of Berlin, has been named the Head Coach of Women’s Volleyball at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

Ms. Denner will be responsible for the organization and direction of the College’s NJCAA, Division III Women’s Volleyball program. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and Sustainable Studies from La Roche College. Additionally, Ms. Denner was a co-captain for the Lady Red Hawks, a first year letter recipient, and named AMCC’s “Best of the Rest” in September 2009.

“I am excited to have Carley Denner join our community,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “She brings the experience of playing collegiate volleyball and coaching at the high school level to Penn Highlands. We are excited for this new era of Black Bear volleyball to begin.”

Prior to joining Penn Highlands, Ms. Denner served as the Assistant Varsity/Junior Varsity Girls’ Volleyball Coach at Shanksville-Stonycreek High School.

The Lady Black Bears start the 2018 season on the road at the Community College of Beaver County on September 5th. Their home campaign kicks off on September 7th against Garrett College. Click for more information.