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Education Associate Degree Expands To Include Two Tracks

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is enhancing its Education associate degree by integrating it with the Early Childhood Education program. This creates a comprehensive associate degree offering two distinct pathways: elementary and secondary education.

The 61-credit Associate of Arts degree offers students the flexibility to customize their schedules, facilitating a seamless transition to their next college or university.

The Education A.A. offers an Elementary Education track approved by the Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee (TAOC) of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This special approval enables Penn Highlands students to have a seamless program-to-program transfer with all 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools. Students who transfer using this agreement will be granted junior status upon transfer.

The Elementary Education track focuses on providing aspiring educators with foundational knowledge and skills essential for teaching young children in grades K-6. This two-year program offers a balanced curriculum that includes courses in child development, educational psychology, and curriculum planning. Students are introduced to effective teaching strategies and classroom management techniques tailored to younger learners.

The Secondary Education track is the second option offered through the Education associate degree. It focuses on providing an essential foundation for those aspiring to become educators beyond the 6th grade. This track offers a comprehensive introduction to teaching, equipping students with the critical skills and knowledge necessary to inspire and educate future generations. The degree track is a vital stepping stone towards a bachelor’s degree.

“The Education degree greatly benefits students by providing them with a strong foundation of hands-on learning and practical application of skills in a face-to-face environment,” stated Morgan Dugan, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education. “This degree not only prepares them for various levels of teaching, from Pre-K to secondary education, but also ensures a smooth transfer process to four-year institutions, aligning courses with their long-term academic goals.”

Students can also benefit from the full face-to-face setup of the program. Alongside in-person classes, students will participate in 20 hours of in-class observation at schools around the region.

There will also be opportunities to take certain classes within the program online, providing the flexibility to work around nearly any schedule.

“Being there is a teacher shortage in the job market, this program will help allow us to meet the needs of a growing workforce,” stated Erica Reighard, Dean of Faculty.

Click here for more information on the Education associate degree. This program is offered in-person at the College’s Richland Campus and the Ebensburg Center.

Penn Highlands Partners With PSU Altoona On Articulation Agreement

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced a pioneering articulation agreement with Penn State Altoona, signifying its inaugural collaboration with any of Penn State University’s Commonwealth campuses.

The agreement offers Penn Highlands students eight pathways to transfer to Penn State Altoona to complete their bachelor’s degrees after graduation. The available fields include Biology, Business, Communications, Criminal Justice, English, History, Multidisciplinary Studies, and Psychology.

“This agreement marks the culmination of a multi-year project with our colleagues at Penn State Altoona,” stated Michelle Stumpf, Dean of Enrollment Services and Registrar. “We are excited to have this opportunity for our students, particularly those we serve in Blair, Huntingdon, and Centre counties.”

Graduates from a program specified in this agreement at Penn Highlands, who maintain good standing and achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 (grade C or higher), are assured admission to Penn State.

Community college students can request dual admission to Penn State Altoona or to any Penn State Commonwealth campus by submitting an Intent to Enroll Form to PSU while enrolled at Penn Highlands.

Penn State Altoona also participates in the RaiseME Transfer Scholarship Initiative, providing grants of up to $7,000 to students upon transfer from a community college.

“By establishing seamless pathways to a diverse range of baccalaureate degree programs, the new articulation agreement between Penn State Altoona and Penn Highlands strengthens our shared commitment to providing accessible, affordable higher education options to students across the Commonwealth and beyond,” stated Dr. Peter L. Moran, Associate Dean of Policy and Planning at Penn State Altoona.

Penn Highlands partners with other higher educational institutions for the betterment of our students and our region, having 180 articulation agreements with 34 colleges and universities.

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.