Newsroom

Blair Expansion Highlighted At Open House Event

After months of construction, the highly anticipated Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Blair Center expansion within the Logan Valley Mall is nearing completion and will be open to the public this month. The 14,000-plus square foot expansion will be unveiled on Thursday, July 26^th, during an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The open house will take place from noon to 6pm, with the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place at 2pm. It will highlight the Blair Center’s modern expansion, which includes five classrooms, one science lab, one computer lab, a student services area, and several comfortable areas for lounging or individual study. Our black bear mascot will also be on-hand for photos from noon to 2pm, with refreshments and souvenirs available for attendees throughout the event.

Our Blair Center offers a variety of academic programs with new additions in the Healthcare industry. Fall classes begin on Monday, August 27^th.

“Post-secondary education is a catalyst for personal and professional growth,” said Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services. “Our newly expanded location will provide advanced technology, hands-on learning opportunities, and enhanced student services aimed at developing a well-trained and educated workforce. It is our honor to be serving the residents, businesses, and leaders of Blair County.”

Penn Highlands Blair is located within the Logan Valley Mall, next to Macy’s. Click for details.

Nine Local High School Students Earn Full-Tuition Scholarship

We 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’s degree. We would like to honor those who will receive the 2018 Board Academic Scholarship:

• Nick Brawley of Ebensburg, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Anthony De Jesus of Johnstown, PA (Greater Johnstown Senior High School)
• Michael Hartman of Windber, PA (Johnstown Christian School)
• Zachary Horwat of Clymer, PA (Penns Manor Area High School)
• Kateri Krise of Loretto, PA (Penn Cambria Area High School)
• Courtney Loughran of Carrolltown, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Evan Orr of Homer City, PA (United Junior-Senior High School)
• Sheena Pastuch of Boswell, PA (North Star High School)
• Thomas Tavalsky of Ebensburg, PA (Central Cambria High School)

Nick Brawley

Anthony DeJesus

Michael Hartman

Zack Horwat

Kateri Krise

Courtney Loughran

Evan Orr

Sheena Pastuch

Thomas Tavalsky

Revamped Accounting Degree Provides Industry Designation Option

Our Accounting associate degree program has been revamped to better meet industry needs and help graduates find a career in less time.

Job skills and employability were key factors in the design of the revamped Accounting degree. Beginning this fall, the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Accounting will provide successful students with the opportunity to earn a Certified Bookkeeper designation through the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB).

This designation will instantly help graduates prove their skills and quickly obtain employment. According to the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, 66% of Certified Bookkeepers who have interviewed for a new job since becoming certified say that certification was important in obtaining the interview, and 46% of employed Certified Bookkeepers have gotten either a new job or promotion since being certified.

Accounting students will gain an understanding and application of accounting theory and practice and will have achieved a level of proficiency in related areas, including economics, management, marketing, information technology, and business sub-disciplines.

Graduates will know how to develop, measure, analyze, validate, and communicate financial information for use in proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. They will be able to complete the entire accounting cycle, including payroll.

“This is an exciting time for students in our Accounting program as they will have more options after graduation,” stated Melissa Boback, Accounting Lecturer and Program Coordinator at Penn Highlands Community College. “Graduates always had the choice to transfer their credits into a bachelor’s degree program, but now they will enjoy greater employability with their ability to earn the Certified Bookkeeper designation.”

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

About Accounting (Associate Degree)
To obtain the Associate of Applied Science in Accounting, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 63 credits based on general education and specific major courses. Graduates will be able to earn a Certified Bookkeeper designation through the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.

New Patient Care Program Keeps Pace With Healthcare Industry

A new certificate program in Patient Care Technician was approved by our Board of Trustees. This certificate is set to begin this fall, and prepares graduates to be confident members of any healthcare team.

Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) are multi-skilled allied healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of a nurse or a physician. Students that successfully complete the program will be prepared to take certification exams in Phlebotomy and Patient Care Technician.

Graduates are ready to work in a hospital or clinic setting. They will be able to perform duties such as responding to patient calls, assisting patients with personal hygiene, serving meals, assisting with therapies and monitoring vital signs. Other responsibilities consist of drawing laboratory specimens, inserting and removing catheters, performing dressing changes and electrocardiograms (ECGs), and assisting with oxygen therapy.

A Patient Care Technician certificate provides graduates with many career options. They will be best suited for a career as a patient care technician skilled in EKG and phlebotomy, as well as general patient care.

“We are committed to keeping pace with the growing needs of our region’s healthcare industry,” stated Gaynelle Schmieder, Associate Professor of Health Care Professions and Health Sciences Department Chair. “The development and implementation of our Patient Care Technician program is just one step among many. Our ability to address community needs only makes our healthcare programs stronger.”

Other ways that healthcare faculty at Penn Highlands have been meeting and exceeding regional needs is through the new simulation lab, national accreditation of the Medical Assisting Technology degree, and redesigns of programs in Pharmacy Technician and Medical Coding.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

New Degree In Social Work To Provide Greater Career Options

Our Board of Trustees recently approved a new associate degree program in Social Work. The Associate of Arts in Social Work is set to begin this fall with its first set of incoming students.

The Social Work (A.A.) degree offers an introduction to students, and addresses various aspects of the social work profession. This entails a historical perspective, values and principles within the profession, working with diverse populations, and social welfare.

When working within the social work profession it requires knowledge of human development and behavior; social, economic, and cultural institutions; and the interaction of all these factors.

As an Associate of Arts degree, this program offers many options to graduates. They will be prepared to become a confident member of the workforce at an entry-level position or, if they wish to do so, transfer their credits with ease to a related bachelor degree program.

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

About Social Work (A.A.)
To obtain the Associate of Arts in Social Work degree a student must successfully complete a minimum of 60 credits based on general education and major requirements. The Social Work degree is a transfer program and offers maximum transferability into a bachelor’s degree program. Social Work will be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education later this year for consideration and inclusion within the program-to-program Statewide Transfer System. Click here for additional program details.