Newsroom

College Set To Purchase Richland Campus

After nearly 26 years of perseverance and growth, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College plans to make the Richland Campus a permanent fixture within the college’s regional footprint through a purchase of the facility.

The Richland Campus (101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA) has been considered its main site since Penn Highlands began leasing it back in 2007. The facility houses 101 employees, which includes full-time and regular part-time employees and all faculty. It is home to an annual average of 1,390 part-time and full-time students over the past three academic years.

“This will be remembered as a great moment in the history of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “It provides Penn Highlands with the long-term stability needed for continued growth, and it shows the community that we plan to be a fixture in this area for years to come.”

Penn Highlands will purchase the main campus building and approximately 15 acres of property from the Richland School District for $6,000,000. The additional acreage will allow Penn Highlands to expand the facility and incorporate any future programming, if needed.

“The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce our plans to purchase the Richland Campus facility,” commented Greg Winger, Board of Trustees Chairperson for Penn Highlands Community College. “This purchase strengthens our 25-plus year commitment to better serve our students, staff, and various community stakeholders. It provides for long-term stability and continued growth in programs and services to meet the on-going educational and technical needs of the greater Johnstown and Cambria County areas.”

Arnold Nadonley, Richland School District Superintendent, agrees with Mr. Winger’s sentiment.

“This sales agreement ensures that Penn Highlands Community College continues as our trusted neighbor, educational partner, and an economic engine not only for our district, but for the entire region,” said Nadonley.

“Proceeds from this sale will be invested, making funds available for future capital projects so as to reduce the burden on taxpayers,” added Ray McCombie, President of the Richland Board of School Directors. “These future projects will benefit the Richland community for many years to come.”

This purchase helps further the mission of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, which is to provide students with affordable opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their work and day-to-day lives.

In-Person Open House Scheduled For February

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be holding an in-person Open House at its facilities on Monday, February 15th. Prospective students and their guests may choose to attend one of two sessions at either 2:30pm or 5:30pm.

Individuals will learn about Penn Highlands and its opportunities, including degree programs and coursework, transfer options, and financial assistance opportunities. Information on student life, including clubs, activities, and athletics, will also be presented. Faculty and alumni will be on-hand to discuss their personal experiences.

As an added incentive, prospective students will be eligible to win a 2021-2022 tuition voucher, good for a $250 discount, if they complete a survey while in attendance.

To attend, individuals must RSVP by clicking here.

No walk-ins are permitted due to COVID-19. Additionally, as pre-cautions to keep everyone safe, masks are required and social distancing protocols will be followed.

Open House locations include:

• Blair Center
  Logan Valley Mall (Next to Macy’s)
  5580 Goods Lane, Altoona, PA 16602
  814.201.2700 | blair@pennhighlands.edu

• Ebensburg Center
  881 Hills Plaza Drive, Suite 450, Ebensburg, PA 15931
  814.471.0010 | ebensburg@pennhighlands.edu

• Huntingdon Center
  6311 Margy Drive, Huntingdon, PA 16652
  814.643.6200 | huntingdon@pennhighlands.edu

• Richland Campus
  101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA 15904
  814.262.6446 | admissions@pennhighlands.edu

• Somerset Center
  Somerset County Education Center
  6024 Glades Pike, Suite 210, Somerset, PA 15501
  814.443.2500 | somerset@pennhighlands.edu

Penn Highlands has been serving the community with quality and affordable academic options in an inclusive atmosphere since 1994.

For additional information, contact any of the college locations directly, or call us at 1.888.385.PEAK.

Dean’s List For Fall 2020 Announced

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2020 semester.

Altoona – Megan Anslinger, Kayla Baker, Ayla Botteicher, Garrett Burns, Kyle Dennis, Noah Drumm, Edward Drzewiecki, Alicia Friedenberger, Mara Guinard, Herman Johnson, Bailey Kudlawiec, Shaina Lear, Maura Lowey Jamie Mankos, Diamond Mercer, Amber Miller, Judy Munoz, Nickolas Overdorff, Jordan Starbird, Tam-Mara Stevens, Imani Vaughn, Angela Weber

Apollo – David Sylvia

Armagh – Ashlyn Bowers, Luke Means, Emily Ponchione, Kallista Regan, Noah Slippy, Berkley Sutton

Beaverdale – Christie Bonfanti, Kirstin Emerick, Melissa Haslam

Berlin – Jennifer Swope

Boswell – Hannah St. Clair

Cadogan – Christopher Serafine

Cairnbrook – Brooke Marek

Carrolltown – Andrew Cidor, Lindsey Eck, Katherine Napier, Samuel Sottile

Cassville – Ryan Bookheimer

Central City – Nicole Deneen, Briana Pakstis

Cherry Tree – Makayla Price

Claysburg – Mackenzie Clemens, Corey Hammel, Justin Mauk

Coalport – Maria Henry

Confluence – Rebekah Phillippi, Nick Shafer

Connellsville – Justin Thornton

Corry – Kreg Schreckengost

Cresson – Kayla Borque, Kaitlyn Eger, Alison Gailey, Geoffrey Rumpf, Katrina Smith, Julia Taylor, Rachel Verchereau

Dayton – Eric Eckman

Delta – Jacob Puglia

Duncansville – Deatra Imler, Erika Wilkie

Duryea – Nicole Schifano

East Freedom – Leah Giebelstein

Ebensburg – Emma Gittings, Cassidy Goshey, Rachel Holtz, Noah Leheny, Hope Sodmont, Cody Sral, Emma Tavalsky, Korin Templeton

Elmora – Erica Myers

Export – Eric Hyland

Fallentimber – Katie Ness

Fenelton – Hunter Miller

Flinton – Jennifer Cavalet

Friedens – Grace Bush, Matthew Hoyman, Lyndsey Vinosky, Derek Zolla

Gallitzin – Julie Madonna

Greensburg – Jesse Gruber

Hastings – Nicolas Bradley, Tyler Charney, Angela Sheredy, MaKala Stafford

Hollidaysburg – Ryan Balliet, Emily Campbell, Jade Corbin, Chad Leonard, Joseph Mattern, Mikayla McIntosh

Hollsopple – Kelsey Branch, Ethan Barkley, Kelly Leibfreid, Ashley Yourich

Hooversville – Hannah Zorn

Hopwood – Nathaniel Erminio

Houtzdale – Alex Capitos

Hudson – Phillip Grainger

Huntingdon – Colby Grubb

Hyndman – Nicole Bumbarger, Joseph Guercio

Indiana – Sydney Wells

Irvona – Matthew Gaul, Samantha Leamer

James Creek – Doak Hoenstine, Kylie-Jo Miller

Jerome – Kalie Lysic, Uriah Peruso

Johnstown – Gillian Ambroe, Vincent Andolina, Stephanie Ashbrook, Cassidy Bailey, Emma Bakos, Abigail Bartis, Vincent Berardinelli, Nathan Berkebile, Gavin Bischof, Selena Blough, Ashley Boyle, Elizabeth Breen, Matthew Buterbaugh, Stephan Caputa, Justin Crisafulli, Lauren Dallape, Ian Danchanko, Samantha Dively, Botayna Drah, Christopher Durham, Sierria Echon, Justin Eckenrod, Keeley Elliott, Ashley Eppley, Rylan Felosky, Abigail Fisher, Matthew Forbes, Jennifer Gearty, Cornelius Gilchrist, Elaina Grosik, Sean Hegadus, David Hilderman, Zachary Hoover, Bryce Huss, Zorin Istvan, Brittney Jewett, Benjamin Johnson, Uniqua Johnson, Mia Jordan, Carson Kaufman, Tonya Kaufman, Ty Keilman, Emily Keiper, Taylor Kennedy, Tatiyana Kern, Symeon Kobal, Ashley Kolar, Megan Krisay, Gavin Lewis, Harlee MacDonald, Joshua Machik, Shane Malinish, Teresa Marion, Alyssa Moore-Carr, Brock Mroczka, Alexes Naylor, Thomas Opdenhoff, Brady Oswalt, Lauren Ozog, Mackenzie Quinn, Hannah Rietscha, Tyler Rodman, Shane Ross, William Roth, Elizabeth Ruszkoski, Rylee Sabo, Michelle Salem, Jacob Scaletta, Joshua Schalles, Jennifer Schario, Emily Sherry, Madyson Smith, Noelle Smith, Joseph Stringent, Star Surma, Jack Thomas, Ava Tisinger, David Truscello, Amber Turner, Corrin Vann, Kaytlynn Vazquez, Grace Weinzierl, Alexander Wherthey, Tirzah Wilson, Victoria Winfield, Lauren Wiseman, McKenzie Zukus

Loretto – Jeannie Crane, Morghan Krug

Mansfield – Colton Pierce

Mapleton – Karrigan Woodward

Mapleton Depot – Cameron Trice

Marion Center – Mason Pearce

Martinsburg – Nicholas Bechtel, Kolten Conrad

McVeytown – Zayden Clark, Connor Fultz

Meyersdale – Casey Brant, Carissa Miller, Alan Mognet, Erika Ritchey, Lakyn Roadman

Mineral Point – Aaron Fenchak, Kenneth Findley, Sydney McCormick, Lauryn McCullough, David Morley, Shaylyn Ott

Mount Union – Nicholas Hurley, Danielle Thomas

Nanty Glo – Grant Grimaldi, Stephen Hauck, Jennifer Kinter, Isaac Thomas, Haley Rhine

New Florence – Elizabeth Boring, Summer Boring, Payton Colson, Cheyanne Gregorich

New Kensington – Timothy Conroy

New Millport – Brandon Lacock

Newry – Donald Hoffman

Northern Cambria – Ariel Dospoy, Jeffrey Degol, Tanya Deyarmin, Liana Laughard, Sydnee Miller, Abigail Montanaro, Johniemarie Olenchick, Hannah Phillips, Sydney Sheredy, Lauren Sichko, Richard Wiewiora

Parkhill – Kylee Hamilton

Patton – Zachary Farabaugh, Maddelyn Hoover, Kelsey Rematt, Cassidy Ringler, Robert Tinker, Connor Vesey

Penn Run – Khylee Maglione

Petersburg – Brittany Waite

Portage – Richelle Brown, Corey Kopnicky, Joshua Krumenacker, Bella Nagy, Madison Piatak, Rebekah Plummer, Anissa Rosemas, Cody Schrift, Sara Units

Revloc – Ashley Patterson

Roaring Spring – Jenna Carder, Dylan Dodson, Shaylee Yingling

Robinson – Hannah Detwiler

Rockwood – Hanna Drake, Drew Meyers

Saint Benedict – Kelly Bassett, Ashley McLucas

Saint Michael – Alayna Plaza, MaeLynn Simms

Saint Petersburg – Jacob Kriebel

Salix – Levi Grigg, Lindsay Norman, Noah Webb

Saltillo – Hunter Cowan

Scottdale – Lee Newcomer

Seward – Justin Higgins, Lacee Jacobs, Emily Lavis, Tessa Rudnik

Shelocta – Joseph Spohn

Shirleysburg – Griffin Scott

Sidman – Ashlyn Hamara

Sipesville – Ashley Croyle

Six Mile Run – Marlee Wallace

Somerset – Elijah Armstrong, Victoria Brennan, Isaac Hoyman, Erin Pyle, Ian Schrift

South Fork – Judy Ciampa, Brittany Hof, Jessica Ickes, Vonnya Summers

Spring Church – Justin Donelow

Stoystown – Lily Grace

Summerhill – Paige Handel

Three Springs – Mason Farine

Tyrone – Jonathan Crocefoglia, John Lehner, Stevie Pennington

Vintondale – Delaney Mack, Alexa Mardis, Garrett Smith

Westover – Brandon Arnold, Deidra Woodward

Williamsburg – Danelle Roberts, Amber Tate

Windber – Kacey Berdomas, Tyler Brown, Christopher Capo, Christianne Cover, Haley Crum, Allison Dayton, Matthew Kaiser, Trinity Krause, Courtney Musser, Dylan Napora, Alyssa Ott, Colton Platt, Kayla Shuster, Erick Strazisar, Matthew Walker, Jonas Wissinger

Penn Highlands & Juniata College Sign Updated Agreement That Adds Four Transfer Pathways

Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, and James A. Troha, Ph.D., President of Juniata College, signed an agreement on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, that offers admission to Juniata College for associate degree graduates of Penn Highlands to pursue their bachelor’s degree in four programs.

Penn Highlands Community College and Juniata College signed a transfer agreement that includes a goal to admit at least 10 transfer students from Penn Highlands to Juniata College each year. Juniata College will provide Penn Highlands transfer students up to $28,000 per year via a merit-based scholarship.

The signing of the updated college pathways program agreement supports Penn Highlands associate degree graduates in Business Administration, Liberal Arts & Sciences, or Psychology as they pursue their bachelor’s degree at Juniata College in one of four program pathways: Business, Communication, Environmental Science, or Psychology.

“This updated agreement highlights the mission of Penn Highlands: to provide our students with quality and affordable educational opportunities,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands Community College. “These additional transfer options allow our students to more easily continue their goal of attaining a bachelor’s degree, all while staying close to home at Juniata College.”

“Given our mission and proximity, a partnership between Penn Highlands Community College and Juniata College only makes sense,” said Jason Moran, Vice President for Enrollment at Juniata. “The curricular pathways collaboratively established lay down the foundation to further develop and augment our now established partnership going into the future which in return will only position us to better serve students in pursuit of a post-secondary education.” 

The transfer agreement between the two institutions includes the following:

• Transfer students from Penn Highlands with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 are guaranteed admission to one of Juniata College’s four college pathway programs. 
• Transfer students from Penn Highlands with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher are eligible to receive a $28,000 merit-based scholarship per year.
• Transfer students from Penn Highlands with a cumulative GPA between 3.0-3.49 are eligible to receive a $24,000 merit-based scholarship per year.
• Transfer students from Penn Highlands who are Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members will receive a scholarship of $2,000 per year.
• Transfer students from Penn Highlands will receive an application waiver, priority course registration, priority housing registration, and collaborative advising.
• Transfer students from Penn Highlands will be offered a one-time additional $1,000 scholarship for one campus visit. 

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has served over 56,000 community members throughout the Laurel Highlands and Southern Alleghenies regions since 1994. Offering over 35 degrees, certificates, and diplomas, Penn Highlands has the highest graduation rate of all community colleges in Pennsylvania. 

About Juniata College
Founded in 1876, Juniata is an independent, co-educational college of liberal arts and sciences that draws students from more than 35 U.S. states and dozens of nations in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America. Juniata’s exceptional programs in science and education; innovative business and international studies offerings; signature programs in peace studies, museum studies, and integrated media arts; and experience-driven humanities offerings pair with the Juniata College Curriculum’s focus on local and global engagement. Students use the College’s Program of Emphasis (POE) system to work with two faculty advisers to pursue varied interests and talents.

Four Regional Medallion Awards Presented To Marketing & Communications Team

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate its Marketing & Communications Team on being awarded four (4) NCMPR Medallion Awards this year from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR).

The team took home awards in the following categories: Postcard (bronze), Video Shorts (bronze), Television/Video Advertisement (silver), and Social Media or Online Marketing Campaign (silver).

Three out of the four awards presented to Penn Highlands focused on the messaging and delivery methods used during the COVID-19 era.

“This was a unique year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated Raymond Weible, Jr., Director of Marketing & Communications. “Our strategies and messaging had to shift on a dime to meet the needs of Penn Highlands Community College and the community. These awards are a testament to our ability to adapt and persevere while showing the strengths and purpose of Penn Highlands as a premier institution.”

The members of Marketing & Communications that participated in these initiatives consist of the following:

Raymond Weible, Jr., Director of Marketing & Communications, has spearheaded a multitude of web, digital media, and overall brand initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism/Advertising and a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications, both from West Virginia University.

Sean McCool, Creative Services & Marketing Specialist, focuses heavily on photography, graphic/web design, video production, brand integration, and more for the College. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Emerging Technology and Multimedia from Slippery Rock University.

Andrew Podolak, Marketing & Communications Assistant, serves as an integral member of the team, playing a role across all initiatives. His focus includes writing, social media, campaign planning, and more. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Pittsburgh.

Penn Highlands collaborated with Wade James of Adliv Collective during the production of the video pieces that garnered these awards. Adliv Collective provides professional photography and videography services in Johnstown, PA.

Since 2015, Marketing & Communications has won a total of twenty-two (22) NCMPR Medallion and Paragon Awards, which recognizes excellence in the marketing, design, and public relations field at two-year schools.

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.

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.

Pennsylvania Highlands 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.

Marketing & Communications Team(L to R): Sean McCool, Creative Services & Marketing Specialist; Raymond Weible, Jr., Director of Marketing & Communications; Andrew Podolak, Marketing & Communications Assistant