Newsroom

Nine High School Graduates Earn Full-Tuition Scholarship

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate the outstanding work of the area high school students that were awarded the College’s Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors in the 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 full-tuition scholarship to attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to complete an associate degree. Pennsylvania Highlands would like to honor those who will receive the 2019 Board Academic Scholarship:

• Nicolas Bradley of Hastings, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Brooke Elliott of Windber, PA (Windber Area High School)
• Lily Grace of Stoystown, PA (North Star High School)
• Maddelyn Hoover of Patton, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Isabella Nagy of Portage, PA (Portage Area High School)
• Kaitlyn Saucedo of Windber, PA (Forest Hills Senior High School)
• Garrett Smith of Vintondale, PA (Blacklick Valley High School)
• Cody Sral of Ebensburg, PA (Central Cambria High School)
• Erika Wilkie of Hollidaysburg, PA (Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School)

Nicolas Bradley

Brooke Elliott

Lily Grace

Maddelyn Hoover

Isabella Nagy

Kaitlyn Saucedo

Garrett Smith

Cody Sral

Erika Wilkie

Chris Farrell Named Blair Center Director

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is excited to announce the hiring of Chris Farrell to lead the College’s Blair Center as its new Director.

Chris Farrell, Blair Center Director

Chris Farrell joins Pennsylvania Highlands Community College after serving as the Senior Director of Admissions and Enrollment at The Art Institute of Virginia Beach for the past six years. Overall, he successfully led teams at nine different colleges over the course of 14 years.

During his tenure at The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, he helped to build positive relations between The Art Institute and its immediate and surrounding communities by delivering meaningful programs, offering creative events open to the community, partnering with local businesses and government agencies, and developing a culture focused on student success.

Mr. Farrell has earned an MBA in Business Administration from Argosy University, as well as a BSBA in Management, Accounting, Finance, and International Business from Ashland University. Additionally, he was selected to speak at The World Expo in Aichi, Japan in 2005 regarding “Harmonious Coexistence” between different cultures, industries, and how we fit with our planet to move forward collectively in a positive way.

Chris Farrell is eager to start leading the College’s Blair Center, which recently underwent a modern expansion that includes an additional five classrooms, one science lab, one computer lab, a student services area, and several comfortable areas for lounging or individual study.

“I really look forward to being a part of this college and community. This is an exciting adventure full of opportunity, and being at a college with extremely competitive and affordable programs in an area as beautiful as Blair County makes it even better,” stated Chris Farrell, Blair Center Director. “I’m very happy to be part of such a positive culture. If you don’t know us yet, I encourage you to come see for yourself.”

Pennsylvania Highlands has six locations throughout the Southern Alleghenies region that serve residents of western Pennsylvania.

1ST SUMMIT BANK Donates To EITC Program

Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, recently accepted a donation from John Kubinsky, Senior Vice President and Loan Group Head for 1^ST SUMMIT BANK. The $2,500 Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program donation was given to the College Foundation to help support the College’s Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program.

In 2014, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) granted Pennsylvania Highlands Community College national accreditation for its Accelerated College Education (ACE) concurrent enrollment program. Penn Highlands is one of only two colleges in the state that has earned this accreditation, which ensures that the courses offered in high schools are equivalent to courses offered on the sponsoring college’s campus or facilities.

Because of donations through the EITC Program, ACE Students are charged a reduced tuition rate. During the 2018-19 academic year, the cost per credit for this program was $58, which allows over 1,400 students to enroll in ACE courses at 52 different school districts across 10 Pennsylvania counties.

John Kubinsky (left) of 1ST SUMMIT BANK and Dr. Walter Asonevich (right) pose with check delivered to the College’s Foundation for the EITC program.

New Sustainable Agriculture Program Will Support The Region

Beginning this August, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is excited for the start of its new certificate in Sustainable Hydroponic Agriculture and Rural Entrepreneurship (SHARE). This quick certificate program can be completed in less than a year and is designed to bolster our region and its residents.

The SHARE program covers both traditional agribusiness and the emerging field of controlled environment agriculture. In partnership with Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy, students will have gained experience through both theory and practical hands-on application in a greenhouse using actual hydroponic equipment. The College will use Sandyvale’s facility for both hydroponic and traditional greenhouse plant growth training.

“This partnership will provide Sandyvale with a more hands-on presence in the greenhouse to facilitate operations and make necessary improvements as needed, helping fulfill our mission of offering yet another educational programming initiative to the community,” stated Ron Kabo, Sandyvale Director of Greenhouse Operations.

Diana Kabo added, “The Sandyvale partnership with Penn Highlands will provide a diverse and unique hands-on training opportunity in a real working greenhouse that will complement the classroom studies of the students and help them learn through real-life scenarios how to deal with issues related to alternative agriculture production.”

The SHARE certificate consists of 10 classes (22 credits). Upon completion, graduates are ready for employment in various aspects of agribusiness industries.

“Students who train in this program will be experienced, confident, problem-solving individuals positioned for forward-thinking careers in alternative agricultural programs that will fulfill a predicted future need in feeding populations all over the world without having to deal with the impact of weather, insects, and soil conditions,” stated Bill Horner, Sandyvale President. “They will be trained to produce food in a controlled environment, at a much faster pace, year-round and be able to predict harvest yields more precisely. Also, hopefully, this exposure at Sandyvale will stimulate student interest in supporting their communities, establishing a life-long habit of engagement wherever they reside.”

Carissa Itle-Westrick of Vale Wood Farms added, “Students that complete the SHARE program will have skills and knowledge that make them attractive candidates for employment within rural and agricultural businesses. Applicants that come to us having completed this training will have earned a spot at the top of our hiring list.”

Applicants are still being accepted for the College’s SHARE certificate program. Classes are set to start on the first day of the fall semester, Monday, August 26th.

Pennsylvania Highlands has six locations throughout the Southern Alleghenies region that serve residents of western Pennsylvania.

Dean’s List For Spring 2019 Announced

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2019 semester.

Acosta – Megan Kelly Coddington

Alexandria – Kendra Jo Norris

Altoona – Brittany Elaine Brenneman, Crystal Lynn Campbell, Pamela Nicole Carter, Blaise Johnathan Colabove, Justin Paul Cruthers, Shanna Nadine Curfman, Christina Marie Evans, Diane Louise Gallagher, Mara Elizabeth Guinard, Hayden W. Hann, Rylee G. Hatch, Joyce R. Hughes, Casey Aaron Kreiger, James P. Leamer, Jesse Scott Mangiacarne, Jamie Mankos, Shannon Leigh McConnell, Alexandria Margaret Ratay, Marlissa Jane Reilly, Todd Raymond Rice, Mary E. Smith, Justin Ross Straesser, Dominique Yvette Thompkins, Aubrey Gene Umholtz, Angela E. Weber, Joan M. Yohn

Alum Bank – Madison Laura Yarnell

Armagh – Felicity Noelle Regan, Noah Michael Slippy

Beaverdale – RaeLynn Danielle Hammond, Devon Christopher Michaels

Bedford – Eric Gabriel Hooper, Chad Allen Weakland

Bellwood – Lindsey Cecelia LaBella

Belsano – Hannah M. Melius, Ariel K. Noel, Dora J. Sickles

Berlin – Lisa Ann Ferko, Megan Lynn Miller, Sydney Lynn Shaulis, Matthew Charles Shipley

Bigler – Jessica Sarah Mulhollan

Blandburg – Bethany Kay Smeal

Boswell – Emily June Kennell, Madison Marie Lucas, Laikyn D. Will, Von Michael Yoder

Brackenridge – Regis Daniel Uhric

Carrolltown – Grace Elizabeth Bertram, Kelly A. Harrison, Evan Joseph Johnson, Courtney R. Loughran, Jared Paul Shank

Central City – Dylan P. Smith

Charleroi – Richard Lee Rifenburg

Cherry Tree – Angie Dawn Moyer

Claysburg – Kayla Breanne Fluke

Clearfield – Sarah E. Snyder

Clymer – George Robert Brown

Conemaugh – Madeline Joyce Burrows, Dezera LaShae Lee, Angela Rose Santacroce

Cresson – Mary Lee Courtot, Kayla Joy Cully, Taylor Alexis Doughty, Julia M. Taylor

Croyle – Danielle Cheryl Mickus

Davidsville – Ryan Thomas Oldham, Jennifer C. Yoder

DuBois – Evan Patrick Adamson

Duncansville – Lily Evelyn Bradford, Aaron Logan Cook, Karissa Nichole Garlena, Dylan Matthew Zeiders

Dysart – Taylor A. Hoover

East Freedom – Merrisa Kay Dibert

Ebensburg – Kayla Marie Anna, Carina Rebecca Bearer, Alexis Renee Bertolino, Nicholas Ryan Brawley, Alexis Nicole Brown, Jenelle Marie Hanlon, Brandon C. Hritz, Thomas Matthew Lauer, Amber Nicole McBreen, Kierra J. McBreen, Lewis William Prather III., Dona Lynn Rager, Noelle Justina Scanlan, Faith Marie Sodmont, Richard Emil Tavalsky, Thomas William Tavalsky

Fairhope – Autumn Nicole Chonko

Fallentimber – Jeremy M. Rinker

Flinton – Jennifer Marie Cavalet, Maiya Jasmine Shaffer, Mikasa Jade Shaffer

Ford City – Tyler Aaron Smeltzer

Freedom – Christopher Chance Parish

Friedens – Katelynn Elizabeth Swank, Derek Michael James Zolla

Garrett – Kortni Rose Schurg

Gillett – Kayla Rae Kendall

Hastings – Jennifer McCombie

Heilwood – Thomas J. Letso

Hollidaysburg – David B. Bailey, Parker Aaron Grigg

Hollsopple – Renee I. Eash, Bradley Eli Gearhart, Rebecca Lynn Yoder

Homer City – Anthony Joseph Corso, Caitlin Elizabeth Henry, Hailey Marie Hood, Evan Patrick Orr

Hooversville – Sara N. Wilson

Hopewell – Gregory Thomas Lynn

Huntingdon – Alexis Nicole Crotsley, Keston Mark Noreiga

Hyndman – Nicole Bumbarger

Imler – Sarah Nicole Allison

Irwin – Adam Edward Polakovsky

Jeannette – Matthew Joseph Grupp

Johnstown – Bryan Henseny Acosta, Riley G. Allen, Megan Louise Alwine, Ashley Joel Arrington, Brady Jordan Bachota, Taylor Alan Beneke, Justin Dylan Bezek, Haley N. Bicko, Nevaeh S. Blackman, Brandon J. Blasko, Haley Alexis Blough-Cycyk, Brittney Latah Boyer, Ashley Nichol Boyle, Joshua Lynn Brant, Malik Micheal Brantley, Gabrielle Elizabeth Buck, Grant Phillip Buynack, Mya Frances Makana Ceballos-Palmer, Murray Chris Charney, Mary Irina Constantino, Nicholas Rostom Constantino, John M. Costa, Natalie Marie Costanzo, Sabrina L. Custer, Hannah M. Davis, Anthony Michael De Jesus, Drew L. Deffenbaugh, Katie Lynne Duttry, Angel S. Eisenhuth, Keeley Isabella Elliott, Chandler John Enos, David Henry Felix, Caitlin Nichole Flowers, Brandon James Fox, Timothy M. George, Austin J. Gibson, McAllister Clay Giebelstein, Nikki Shirlene Gilpatrick, Brandon Lee Gindlesperger, Hailey Elise Giuffre, Zane D. Goldstrohm, Lea Brianne Green, Caroline E. Gress, Cassandra Marie Griffith, Riley E. Grosik, Joy M. Hanuska, Taylor N. Harrity, Ashley Haynal, Luis F. Hernandez, Jaydrik Darian Hinton, Erin Marie Hoover, Bethany Brooke Jacobs, Brett Daniel Jewett, Carson J. Kanuch, Jed Alan Karalfa, Chandler M. Keefer, Tatiyana Lee Kern, Mary Hope Kime, Rachel S. King, Miranda B. Kiser, Emily A. Knapp, Kate M. Knapp, Nakyah N. Knight, Ryan Alan Kniss, Tanner S. Kobal, Christian Samuel Konicky, Sarah Elizabeth Konicky, Megan N. Krisay, Melissa Ann Krouse, Kenya S. Kurcin, Greg A. Kutsick, Jonathan Ray Leckey, Nicole Erin Lepley, Oliver Mark Lindrose, Denisia M. Luszik, Ariel Marie Mainhart, Shane A. Malinish, Emily Jane Mantini, Teresa A. Marion, Kelly Ann Marks, Caitlyn J. Marlowe, Ryan C. Mastovich, Angelica G. McAfee, Ashlyn N. McConnell, Jeffrey Wayne McKissick, Danielle Suzanne Mclaughlin, Charity L. Millard, Beth Ann Millare, Rorrie E. Miller, Denzel A. Mobley, Nolan P. Mock, Brock T. Moore, Daniel Scott Moore, Kaley Lauren Murray, Kelly Lynne Null, Rebecca Jo Ogline, Samantha Renee Orris, Brock Peyton Owens, Sheena Marie Pastuch, Jessica N. Pelkey, Desirae Michelle Penrose, Cassidy Rose Polacek, Wyatt Lakota Price, Andrew Colin Rand, Chelcie Ream, Logan James Reese, Liana Nicole Roland, Margaret M. Sanfilippo, Madalyn N. Scaletta, Christina Michelle Shaffer, Alexis H. Sharp, MaeLynn A. Simms, Maximilian S. Smith, Kaleya I. Smothers, Sophie Rose Sprankle, Taylor M. Stenger, Jenna E. Stevens, Amy HyeWon Stewart, Jonathan William Stratton, Annalese Michelle Tinari, Richard Edward Toler, Alisha Nicole Trantham-Tittle, Brendan M. Veney, Elonyá J. Veney, Kylee S. Walker, Sha’lee Meriem Watters, Christopher John Weld, Taylor N. Yuhas

Karns City – Angelo S. Rondinelli

Kittanning – Matthew James Brumbaugh

Ligonier – David Lee Wasil

Lilly – Victoria Anne Costlow, Victoria Elise Phillips, Terrence Michael Trusik, Hannah Leigh Vena

Listie – Michelle Leigh Chipps

Loretto – Brooke A. Driskel, Kateri Autumn Krise

Mapleton Depot – Trey William Bennett, Hannah Marie Gladfelter

Markleton – Dakota Wilson Judy

Martinsburg – Zachary Steven Rumberger

Mayport – Zane Smith Rapp

Meyersdale – Hannah Elizabeth Bodes, Allison Jennifer Charbonneau, Jennifer Charbonneau, Eliza Adeleine Darnell, Alexis Jade Day, Tammy Lee Hetrick, Megan Taylor Lavin

Mineral Point – Nathan S. Kaschalk, Danika Marie Polka, Nicholas A. Powell

Mount Union – Christopher J. Dodd, Candy Nan Jordan, Jazzmyn Pearl Kelly, Kevin G. Sherwood

Nanty Glo – Anthony Edward Cornetti, Taylor Nichol Frederick, Garrett M. Grimaldi, Kimberli Ann Weirauch

New Florence – Cheyanne M. Gregorich

Nicktown – Victoria Rose Smith

Northern Cambria – Caitlin Elizabeth Bassett, Seth Michael Charney, Jordan G. Hill, Tyriq D. Johnson, Tessa Marie Kratzer, Alexander Robert Matejczyk, Elizabeth M. Mattice, Michael Andrew Penksa, Stephanie Jane Rainey, Linda Evelyn Seibert, Autumn Angel Wise

Orbisonia – Garrett Victor McMath

Osterburg – Addison B. Weyant

Patton – Emma Marie Garrison, Morgan Olivia Maslonik, Matthew John Milanesi, Nicolas Joseph Milanesi, Jarred Andrew Reed, Aubrey Lynne Thiec, Angela Marie Wharton

Penn Run – Bailey L. Orr, Justice E. Ratay, Alexandera Noel Ringler, Abagail Marie Sleppy

Petersburg – Kadesha Dee Trish

Philipsburg – Cynthia Elizabeth Bundy, William Thomas Foreman

Portage – Alex M. Bisaha, Cynthia Lynn Cochran, Lauren Nicole Deetscreek, Adam E. Dixon, Emily Paige Krisko, Katrina Kathlee Mauersberg, Jenna Ann Moratti, Karla Marie Troxel, Stephanie Marie Wheeler, Alexis Kaitlynn Yon

Punxsutawney – Kelly Jo Day

Roaring Spring – Abby Lynn Carder

Robinson – Riley John-William Miller

Rockwood – Heather Cook, Augusta Margaret Hay, Jacqlyn A. Knox, Molly Beth Miller

Saint Benedict – Janet Mae Lute, Elizabeth Anne Shaffer, Cheyenne Marie Hayes

Saint Boniface – Jared Michael Angert

Saint Michael – Jennafer Anne Ofsanko

Salix – Brock Joel Miller

Saltillo – Hanna Christine Booher, Megan Dawn Kough

Seward – Isabel Katheryn Fernando, Lakota C. Jones

Shade Gap – Jennifer Lynn Kreider

Sidman – Mikala L. Hamara, Wendy Mae Munoz

Smithmill – Samantha Nicole Yarger

Somerset – Jordan Lee Beistel, Rose Elizabeth Jano, Alexis Elaine Murphy, Cheyenne Elaine Raley, Sean Nicholas Rose, Deanna Faith Schmidt, Travis Stankan, Elizabeth Ann Walker, Cory Lynn Weicht, Austin Widner

South Fork – Lakin Elaine Burkett, Cameron Daniel Neuts, Morgan Ashlee Vasbinder

State College – Rabia Biyik

Stoystown – Joseph James Nemchik, Chandler Eugene Saylor

Strongstown – MaKenna J. Tinsman

Summerhill – Alicia M. Gaunt, Joshua David Gould, Jude David Schrift, Nicole Marie Wright

Templeton – Brittney Renee Kepple

Three Springs – Mikara Gebele Anderson, Wyatt Preston Long

Twin Rocks – Evan Michael Bencosky, Sara Jane McDonald, Nevin John McIntosh-Higgins

Tyrone – Tiffany Marie Shearer

Vintondale – MaKayla D. Fertick, Jaclyn Lee Hoover, Tiffaney Jade Smith

Westover – Rachel Belle Moyer

Williamsburg – Noah Daniel Detwiler

Wilmore – Annastasia Angelica Miller

Windber – Julia Marie Borish, Rachel Criscione, Madison Brooke Crum, Caitlyn N. Guercio, Michael Jeffrey Hartman, Adriane S. Hautz, Lindsey N. Houghton, Madison R. Leitenberger, David Charles Mintmier, Jenna Nicole Rosa, Debra M. Slagle, Noah Arthur Wissinger, Jennifer M. Young