Newsroom

New Central Park Facility designed to help Downtown Residents explore College Options

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, in an effort to help downtown Johnstown residents find career success, has leased 3,116 square feet of first floor space in the Park Building, located on the corner of Main Street and Gazebo Park.

The Central Park location will serve as a community resource to provide college exploration, college preparation and career planning. The College’s goal is to provide a connection for individuals to help discover successful paths to higher education.

The facility will be equipped to provide workforce training on an as-needed basis depending on the needs of downtown businesses. And, a study center will be available to currently enrolled students as a safe and supportive location to complete coursework.

“Downtown residents are vital parts of this city and region,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, College President. “We want them to flourish. Penn Highlands is committed to providing assistance and access to the services they need to earn an education and career. This facility is their first step.”

The College’s new lease consists of a five-year term with two additional five-year options. Penn Highlands looks to open this facility in the fall to the public.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has five locations throughout the region: Blair, Ebensburg, Huntingdon, Richland, and Somerset.

Annual Community Trick or Treat scheduled for October 23; Free to the Public

Fall is in full swing and Halloween is almost upon us. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College knows how to celebrate the season with its annual family-friendly Community Trick or Treat, which will be held on Monday, October 23, from 5:30pm to 7pm, at the College’s Richland Campus.

This event, intended for families with children who are 12 years old and under, is an experience that is not easily forgotten. Faculty, staff, and current students will be on-hand to give out free treats and candy.

In addition to free treats, there will be a special area dedicated to creating Halloween crafts and a “Haunted Hallway” for those looking for a little scare.

Last year, we had over 500 happy visitors. This year, we are prepared for that number to continue to grow as we create not only a community tradition, but also a family tradition.

Further details can be obtained by contacting Pennsylvania Highlands Student Activities at 814.262.6463 or studentactivities@pennhighlands.edu.

2018-19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) now Available

The financial aid filing season officially began at 1 a.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 1 with the launch of the 2018‒19 FAFSA® at fafsa.gov. Nearly 238,000 online applications were submitted the first day, representing an eight percent increase compared to one year ago.

Most students and parents are eligible to use the IRS DRT to electronically transfer their 2016 tax return information. The tool returned Oct. 1 for the 2018‒19 FAFSA with extra security and privacy protections to safeguard sensitive taxpayer data.

Each year, more than 20 million FAFSAs are submitted, resulting in more than $120 billion in federal grants, loans and work-study funds to help pay for college or career school.

“Our vision at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) is that every eligible student in the nation completes the FAFSA,” said Dr. A. Wayne Johnson, Chief Operating Officer of ED’s office of Federal Student Aid. “Filling out the FAFSA is free, and Federal Student Aid provides a wealth of resources to assist students and parents every step of the way.”

Students who plan to submit the FAFSA online should create an FSA ID as soon as possible at StudentAid.gov/fsa-id. If a student is considered dependent for FAFSA purposes, one of the student’s parents also needs to create an FSA ID in order to sign the FAFSA online. Each person must create his or her own FSA ID to avoid issues and delays with the financial aid process.

Once the FAFSA is processed, the school will use the FAFSA information to calculate the amounts and types of financial aid the student may qualify for, and the school will send the student a financial aid offer. Financial aid offers come from schools, not the U.S. Department of Education, and each school has its own schedule for awarding financial aid. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to take advantage of any early state and school financial aid deadlines.

Source: Content pulled directly from U.S. Department of Education (Full Release on Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Archaeology Month comes to Blair with Free Hands-On Workshop

October is Archaeology Month in Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Blair Center will be celebrating with a special program at the Blair Center on Monday, October 9, beginning at 6pm. This event is free and open to the public.

Archaeologist, and Penn Highlands instructor, Paula Zitzler will hold a hands-on workshop that will put ancient artifacts into the hands of the community. This program is suitable for ages 8 and up.

Archaeologists use many methods and tools to answer the basic questions about the artifacts they collect. What is it? Who made it? How old is it? How was it used? This workshop provides an opportunity to learn how archaeologists put together the stories of the people who made and used the objects recovered from an investigation.

“If there’s one thing that humans are particularly good at, it is making stuff,” stated Paula Zitzler, archaeologist and adjunct faculty member. “Everything they make has a story, if you know how to read it.”

Please join us for this free event on Monday, October 9, at the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Blair Center, located in the Logan Valley Mall (next to Macy’s). Please contact the Blair Center at 814.201.2700 or blair@pennhighlands.edu for additional information.

2017 Black Bear 5K Results from Saturday, September 23

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College held its 10th Annual Black Bear 5K on Saturday, September 23rd, at the College’s Richland Campus. Organizers would like to thank Wessel & Company for serving as the event sponsor. Proceeds from the event will support the College’s athletic program: Men’s Basketball, Women’s Volleyball, Cross Country, and Bowling.

Results are as follows:

TOP FIVE OVERALL

1. Bryan Acosta, 21, 19:48.4
2. Grant Cruse, 21, 20:00.9
3. Jake Burnosky, 29, 21.18.5
4. Dan Tomak, 40, 21:37.1
5. Maddie Sprankle, 19, 22:52.6

MALE RESULTS (Walker times not listed.)

Top Three Overall
1. Bryan Acosta, 21, 19:48.4
2. Grant Cruse, 21, 20:00.9
3. Jake Burnosky, 29, 21.18.5

14 And Under
1. Noah Snyder, 11, 24:21.0
2. Christian Musser, 11, 27:42.6
3. Joshua Slavick, 12, 28:04.6

15-19
1. Tanner Kobal, 15, 24:57.6

20-29
1. John Skelley, 29, 23:47.3
2. Tim Schultz, 29, 24:28.1
3. Mike Bako, 25, 37:33.7
4. Mike Shaffer, 25
5. Andrew Stopko, 25

30-39
1. Matt Sheridan, 32, 24:04.5
2. Joseph Markum, 36, 27:12.9
3. Scott Hunt, 34, 27:13.3
4. Raymond Weible, Jr., 33

40-49
1. Dan Tomak, 40, 21:37.1
2. Mike Kick, 46, 24:41.3
3. Tom Newcomer, 42, 25:14.5

50-59
1. Greg Winger, 53, 22:54.7
2. Thomas C. Chernisky, 52, 27:41.4
3. Gary Honkos, 59, 28:38.3
4. William Locher, 59, 34:32.2
5. Paul Baron, 57

60-69
1. John Skelley, 61, 24:23.6
2. Denny Cruse, 65, 24:37.4

FEMALE RESULTS (Walker times not listed.)

Top Three Overall
1. Maddie Sprankle, 19, 22:52.6
2. Megan Montag, 34, 24:32.5
3. Michelle Maksymik, 37, 25:17.6

15-19
1. Melissa Nealen, 19, 30:00.7

20-29
1. Katie Dutry, 24, 27:04.0
2. Ashley Clites, 23, 31:59.8
3. Adrianne Kuhar, 20, 34:18.3
4. Hannah Frazier, 23

30-39
1. Daniella Errett, 37, 29:24.3
2. Jessica Ferguson, 35, 30:05.1
3. Melana Simms, 36, 31:15.1
4. Kara Skelley, 30, 34:55.8
5. Erin Martella, 32

40-49
1. Michelle Wissinger, 45, 25:43.4
2. Heather Newcomer, 42, 27:49.5

50-59
1. Deana Sherry, 53, 26:14.1
2. Joannie Nedwreski, 50, 28:35.1
3. Maura McQuaide, 58

60-69
1. Kim Asonevich, 61, 34:30.3