Newsroom

Blair Center Sets Spring Open House Schedule

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Blair Center will be hosting a series of open houses between January and April for all interested individuals and their families. These open houses, all held at the recently renovated facility in the Logan Valley Mall, will take place on the following dates:

• Saturday, January 26: 10am to 1pm
• Friday, February 15: 10am to 4pm
• Monday, March 25: 6 to 7:30pm (college-wide event at all facilities)
• Monday, April 22: 10am to 1pm and 4 to 7pm

Attendees will learn about Penn Highlands and its opportunities, including programs and coursework, transfer options, and more. Information on student life, including clubs and activities, and financial assistance will also be presented by representatives.

All in attendance will get to tour the new, state-of-the-art Blair Center, which includes over 18,000 square feet of classrooms, labs, and student life areas.

Light refreshments and giveaways will be available throughout each event.

For additional information, contact the Penn Highlands Community College Blair Center at 814.201.2700 or blair@pennhighlands.edu. You can also find Pennsylvania Highlands online at http://www.pennhighlands.edu.

New Programs Fill Regional Needs & Expand Career Opportunities

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees recently approved four new programs: Engineering Technology, Sustainable Hydroponic Agriculture and Rural Entrepreneurship, Substance Abuse and Addiction Technician, and Paralegal Studies.

“These new programs are designed to meet the needs of the region,” stated Dr. Barbara Zaborowski, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs. “They give students access to exciting new hands-on learning opportunities and provide paths to in-demand careers.”

Engineering Technology (A.A.S.) is an associate degree that offers two tracks: Architectural and Civil. Students will work with Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and Computer Aided Drafting & Design (CADD) software to facilitate the design and drafting of buildings and building components. This program offers opportunities to work with professional architects and engineers in the design, drafting, and layout of buildings, roads, and utilities.

Sustainable Hydroponic Agriculture and Rural Entrepreneurship is a two-semester (one year) certificate that prepares individuals for work in the sustainable agricultural industry, including traditional agribusiness and the emerging field of controlled environment agriculture. In partnership with Sandyvale Memorial Park, this program will be able to offer both theory and practical hands-on application in a greenhouse using actual hydroponic equipment.

Substance Abuse and Addiction Technician is an 18-credit certificate that enables graduates to work in an entry-level position in the varied field of addiction treatment. Students will be introduced to the effects that substance abuse and chemical dependency have on society; and gain an understanding of what addiction is, the different drugs that are used, how to work with those who have physical and psychological addictions, the various types of treatment, and counseling approaches.

Paralegal Studies (A.A.S.) is an associate degree that teaches the philosophy and methodology of legal practice so graduates can understand the principles of law and policy that affect government, business, and nonprofit organizations. Graduates may pursue careers as legal assistants and paralegals. Unlike the three other new programs that begin in Fall 2019, Paralegal Studies is set to begin in Fall 2020.

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

Dean’s List For Fall 2018 Announced

The Dean’s List for the Fall 2018 semester has been released. Penn Highlands Community College is proud of these students and their accomplishments.

Acosta – Megan Kelly Coddington

Alexandria – Kendra Jo Norris

Altoona – Pamela Nicole Carter, Christina Marie Evans, Diane Louise Gallagher, Nathalia M. Harchak, Lynn Edward Hight, Crystal Lynn Hoffman, Janice D. Jorge Matos, Priscilla Paige Lamertina, Rebecca M. Rago, Madisyn Lynn Simington, Mary E. Smith, Paige Nicole Steindel, Justin Ross Straesser, Joan M. Yohn

Alum Bank – Madison Laura Yarnell

Armagh – Felicity Noelle Regan

Beaverdale – Danielle Renee` Grados, RaeLynn Danielle Hammond, Devon Christopher Michaels, Tanner Edward Thomas

Bedford – Eric Gabriel Hooper, Chad Allen Weakland

Bellefonte – Izaak Andrew Trithart

Berlin – Bethany Marie Blubaugh, Lisa Ann Ferko, Megan Lynn Miller, Matthew Charles Shipley, Elizabeth M. Stoltzfus

Boswell – Emily June Kennell, Sheena Marie Pastuch, Von Michael Yoder

Brackenridge – Regis Daniel Uhric

Carrolltown – Vincent Benno Bearer, Evan Joseph Johnson, Courtney R. Loughran, Jared Paul Shank

Central City – Robert Ralph Antesberger, James Walker Williams

Charleroi – Richard Lee Rifenburg

Cherry Tree – Baylee Lynn Boring, Angie Dawn Moyer

Claysburg – Kayla Breanne Fluke

Clearfield – Chad Alan Maney, Ashley R. Struble

Clymer – George Robert Brown, Zachary Michael Horwat

Colver – Allyssa Newton Nash, Julius Michael Nocera

Conemaugh – Dezera LaShae Lee, Angela Rose Santacroce

Cresson – Bailey Grace Eger, Devin Scott Selip, Cody Allan Westrick

Davidsville – Noah John Livella, Marisa Lynne Wagner

Duncansville – Todd Andrew Beard, Aaron Logan Cook, Kaitlin Darlene McKee, Lyndzi Michele Vaughn, Dylan Matthew Zeiders

Ebensburg – Kayla Marie Anna, Carina Rebecca Bearer, Alexis Renee Bertolino, Nicholas Ryan Brawley, Alexis Nicole Brown, Veronica R. Chumrik, Jenelle Marie Hanlon, Brandon C. Hritz, Thomas Matthew Lauer, Amber N. McBreen, Noelle Justina Scanlan, Faith Marie Sodmont, Justin Michael Tavalsky, Richard Emil Tavalsky, Thomas William Tavalsky

Fairhope – Autumn Nicole Chonko

Fallentimber – Jeremy M. Rinker

Flinton – Maiya Jasmine Shaffer, Mikasa Jade Shaffer

Ford City – Tyler Aaron Smeltzer

Frenchville – Thad Edward Butler

Friedens – Elizabeth Marlene Reese, Amber Michelle Schuck, Katelynn Elizabeth Swank, Derek Michael James Zolla

Gallitzin – Jamil Anthony Flores, Julie L. Gray

Garrett – Ashley Clarissa Chonko

Gillett – Kayla Rae Kendall

Hastings – Jennifer McCombie, Zane Ross McElhenny, Jason P. Serafin

Hollidaysburg – David B. Bailey

Hollsopple – Casey John Berchick, Ashley L. Malkin, Rebecca Lynn Yoder

Homer City – Anthony Joseph Corso, Evan Patrick Orr

Hooversville – Morgan B. Page

Hopewell – Maryah Faith Lingenfelter, Gregory Thomas Lynn

Huntingdon – Heather Dawn Allen, Anneliese Danae Aurand, Amanda L. Hartman, Zachary Robert Norris

Imler – Sarah Nicole Allison

Indiana – Bonnie L. Himmel, Amanda Dawn Michaels

Irwin – Adam Edward Polakovsky

Jeannette – Matthew Joseph Grupp

Jerome – Hope Ann Safko

Johnstown – Alexis Renee Albert, Tyler Stephen Alt, Zacheri Gabriel Anderson, Brady Jordan Bachota, Taylor Alan Beneke, Emma J. Boyer, Jessica M. Bravo, Gregory Otho Brown, Victoria A. Brumbaugh, Grant Phillip Buynack, Rebekka P. Cannonie, Jolie S. Carey, Mya Frances Makana Ceballos-Palmer, Aaron Louis Ciotti, Nicholas Rostom Constantino, Amber Leigh Contrillo, Keith Allen Cook, Liam Alexander Costa-Malcolm, Anthony Michael De Jesus, Daniel Matthew DiFrancesco, Tara Nicole Dill, Matthew Edward Dugan, Kala Ann Ebaugh, Chandler John Enos, Mariah C. Ernst, Christina Leigh Evans, David Henry Felix, Josie L. Fitz, Caitlin Nichole Flowers, Jordan David Fortson, Brandon James Fox, McAllister Clay Giebelstein, Cornelius Gilchrist, Nikki Shirlene Gilpatrick, Hailey Elise Giuffre, Mowava Stephanie Gonsalves, Megan Ashley Graham, Lea Brianne Green, Cassandra Marie Griffith, Joshua Ray Hagen, Francisco P. Hernandez, Jaydrik Darian Hinton, Erin Marie Hoover, Marcayes E. Hutchins, Tiffany Amber Jones, Jed Alan Karalfa, Tonya Louise Kaufman, Chandler M. Keefer, Marta Z. Kiss, Christian Samuel Konicky, Sarah Elizabeth Konicky, Amber M. Kreasko, Jonathan Ray Leckey, Nicole Erin Lepley, Oliver Mark Lindrose, Angela M. Louder, Ariel Marie Mainhart, Jon Daniel Maldet, Shane A. Malinish, Emily Jane Mantini, Ethan Paul McClafferty, Jeffrey Wayne McKissick, Beth Ann Millare, Jacob T. Miller, Kaley Lauren Murray, Rebecca Jo Ogline, Nilay Kumar Parekh, Jessica N. Pelkey, Chelsea L. Phillips, Brendon Skyler Rager, Andrew Colin Rand, Chelcie Ream, Alyssa June Reed, Liana Nicole Roland, Rebecca L. Schellhammer, Sophie Rose Sprankle, Jenna E. Stevens, Megan Nicole Stiffler, Jonathan William Stratton, Annalese Michelle Tinari, Amanda Lynne Walker, Kylee S. Walker, Micah W. Wanko, Christopher John Weld, Jeremy Thomas Lee Williams, Carly Anna Grace Zahurak

Karns City – Angelo S. Rondinelli

Kittanning – Matthew James Brumbaugh

Ligonier – Cheyenne Laurel Stouffer, David Lee Wasil

Lilly – Bryan J. Ehrenfeld, Hannah Leigh Vena

Loretto – Jeffrey James Barnett, Brooke A. Driskel, Kateri Autumn Krise

Mapleton Depot – Matison Rae Bookwalter, Hannah Marie Gladfelter

Martinsburg – Samantha Jean Burket

Mayport – Zane Smith Rapp

Meyersdale – Hannah Elizabeth Bodes, Eliza Adeleine Darnell, Alexis Jade Day, Megan Taylor Lavin

Mineral Point – Nathan S. Kaschalk, Dylan Michael McCullough, Danika Marie Polka

Mount Union – Nicholas Scott Hurley, Candy Nan Jordan, Kevin G. Sherwood

Nanty Glo – Anthony Edward Cornetti, Austin Joseph George, Erika Elyse Law, David M. Shedlock, Kimberli Ann Weirauch

New Florence – Cheyanne M. Gregorich

Northern Cambria – Tessa Marie Kratzer, Elizabeth M. Mattice, John R. McBee II, Bradley C. McMullen, Michael Andrew Penksa, Linda Evelyn Seibert, Autumn Angel Wise

Orbisonia – Garrett Victor McMath

Patton – Heather Renee Dietrick, Emma Marie Garrison, Colton James Helbig, Morgan Olivia Maslonik, Matthew John Milanesi, Jarred Andrew Reed

Philipsburg – William Thomas Foreman

Portage – Cynthia Lynn Cochran, Lauren Nicole Deetscreek, Adam E. Dixon, Allison L. Jones, Emily Paige Krisko, Katrina Kathlee Mauersberg, Jenna Ann Moratti

Punxsutawney – Kelly Jo Day

Roaring Spring – Abby Lynn Carder, Alec Bryce Madden, Thaddeus Bruce Willey

Robinson – Riley John-William Miller

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

Saint Boniface – Jared Michael Angert

Salix – Kelly Antoinette Blalock, Brock Joel Miller

Saltillo – Megan Dawn Kough

Seward – Carrie Ann Bizich, Patrick Steven Kishlock

Sidman – Barbara Jeanne Fye, Mikala L. Hamara, Amanda Lynn Sewalk

Somerset – Dylan T. Barnes, Brianna Lynn Fieg, Kelsey Louise Knupp, Krystal Elizabeth Knupp, Jeannette Elizabeth Metz, Alexis Elaine Murphy, Devan Alan Murphy, Sean Nicholas Rose, Elizabeth Ann Walker

South Fork – Lakin Elaine Burkett, Crystal L. Fyock, Clayton Michael McVicker, Cameron Daniel Neuts

St. Benedict – Janet Mae Lute, Bryan M. Shaffer, Elizabeth Anne Shaffer, Cheyenne Marie Hayes

Stoystown – Chandler Eugene Saylor, Ryan James Stout

Summerhill – James D. Cornman, Kirsten Grace Foor, Joshua David Gould, Kevin Michael Margic, William R. Miller, Jude David Schrift

Templeton – Brittney Renee Kepple

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

Tyrone – Brittany Allison Harris, Julia Kathleen Hinckley

Vintondale – MaKayla D. Fertick, Tiffaney Jade Smith

Westover – Rachel Belle Moyer

Williamsburg – Noah Daniel Detwiler

Windber – Julia Marie Borish, Madison Brooke Crum, Emily Marie Dabbs, Caitlyn N. Guercio, Michael Jeffrey Hartman, Adriane S. Hautz, Madison R. Leitenberger, Andrew M. Mattis, Janice Arlene Ott, Christine Michele Schuerch, Brittney Nicole Walker, Jennifer M. Young

Blair Center Provides Free FAFSA Workshops

The Penn Highlands Community College Blair Center will hold Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Workshops in early 2019 to help students and their families prepare for the upcoming academic year. FAFSA Workshop dates include:

• Monday, January 28, 5-7pm
• Tuesday, February 19, 5-7pm
• Wednesday, March 27, 5-7pm
• Thursday, April 25, 5-7pm

FAFSA Workshops are designed to help families complete the FAFSA for the 2019-2020 academic year. Staff will be available to assist in all phases of the application process, even if you have already completed the FAFSA on your own and want to review it to make sure you have completed it properly.

These workshops are open to current students and the general public. Prospective, former, and future students may participate and take advantage of these sessions.

When attending, please bring completed 2017 tax forms (student and parent if applicable), recent bank statements (student and parent if applicable), recent investment records (parent and student if applicable), and records of untaxed income (if applicable). Please have your social security number or alien registration number (if not a U.S. citizen).

Students and parents are encouraged to create a FSA ID prior to attending. The FSA ID is used to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites and to electronically sign your FAFSA and other documents.

For additional information, please contact Penn Highlands Blair at 814.201.2700 or blair@pennhighlands.edu.

Sean McCool Named District 1 Rising Star Of The Year By NCMPR

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate Sean McCool on being named this year’s District 1 Rising Star of the Year by the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR).

Those who receive this award are honored for being an up-and-coming professional in the marketing and communication arena at two-year, community, and technical colleges. The Rising Star Award recognizes those who have demonstrated special creativity or ability in marketing and PR and show evidence of a promising future in the field.

The NCMPR District 1 Executive Council – made up of marketing and public relations professionals from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island – chose Sean as the 2018 award winner.

Sean McCool is the Creative Services & Marketing Specialist at Penn Highlands. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Emerging Technology and Multimedia from Slippery Rock University.

Since joining Penn Highlands, Sean has made an impact on the college’s brand, its students, and his colleagues. Constantly determined to improve and make change, he has been an initiator at the college and in the community. He has helped rebrand the college’s athletics program to make it a stronger recruiting and marketing tool, and he has systematically refocused and redesigned print publications, instituting a much-improved graphic style.

His passion for the community college is matched only by his passion for the community at large. He is involved with multiple Vision 2025 Capture Teams and has volunteered with many different organizations, both locally and abroad.

“Sean’s creative spirit and passion for the college and his community shine through in all that he does,” said Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services. “He has been a true asset to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Marketing and Communications Department, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved and prestigious award.”

NCMPR is the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. They are one of the fastest-growing affiliates of the American Association of Community Colleges, representing more than 1,550 members from over 650 colleges across the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Penn Highlands Community College is a part of District 1, which includes schools from Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, and United Kingdom.

Sean McCool holding award outside of the Richland Campus.

Sean McCool with Interim District 1 Director Eve Markman.

Sean McCool with the Pacesetter and the Communicator of the Year (District 1).

Portrait of Sean McCool.

Sean McCool during his acceptance his speech.

About NCMPR
The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations is a professional organization for individuals involved in marketing, communications, public relations and enrollment management at community, junior, and technical colleges. NCMPR provides professional development opportunities, advocates on behalf of the profession and the institutions it serves, and recognizes professional excellence.