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President Dr. Asonevich delivers State of the College Address

Held in the Richland Campus Auditorium, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College President Dr. Walter Asonevich offered his 2017 State of the College Address on Tuesday afternoon to a captivated audience. He highlighted various topics, from accreditation to regionalization to the College’s expansive, and far-reaching, educational offerings that focus on providing an affordable, high quality education to our local communities.

Dr. Asonevich began by addressing the College’s on-going accreditation process and the differences between a regional and national accreditation.

His focus then shifted to Penn Highlands’ regionalization efforts, including expansion of the Blair Center, growth and a new facility in Somerset, and beginning discussions on what could be an already near capacity Huntingdon Center.

The address featured a map designating the numerous counties of Pennsylvania that have been impacted by the College’s presence. These areas include the four counties that currently have a Penn Highlands’ facility, locations that are served through the College’s accredited dual enrollment (Accelerated College Education) program, areas served via online programming, and counties that have inquired about having a Penn Highlands’ presence.

“Our blueprint for providing small rural communities with affordable access to higher education has been met with positive results,” said Asonevich. “We follow a systematic approach when handling regionalization. It is done in a way to ensure that our students and their communities will be rewarded with the benefits that encompass a strong educational institution.”

Asonevich rounded out his address by discussing how funding from the state and county impacts both the College’s budget and tuition fees. And, how the College continues to investigate and expand through more flexible options – including online, evening, and weekend offerings – that can better satisfy and connect with the needs of our region.

“Our mission, as a community college, is to provide learning opportunities that meet the demands of the region,” Asonevich explained. “With online, evening, and weekend options, we are positioned to provide better flexibility in course scheduling for students. As a result, we can deliver more choices that lead to both student and community success.”

To see the State of the College Address in its entirety, please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennhighlands/.

President Dr. Asonevich delivers the State of the College Address.

President Dr. Asonevich delivers the State of the College Address.

Seven Students named to All-PA Academic Team

The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges honored the 23rd Annual All-Pennsylvania (All-PA) Academic Team at an awards banquet held in early April in Harrisburg. The awards recognize an exceptional group of community college students who have achieved excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities.

The 2017 All-PA Team consists of 44 outstanding community college scholars from across the Commonwealth. The All-PA Team is administered by Phi Theta Kappa, the national two-year college honors society. Those honored from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College included the following seven students:

• Rachel Blackburn (Altoona)
  Graduation Date: May 2017
  Degree: Associate of Science in Accounting

• Nicholas Braniff (Revloc)
  Graduation Date: May 2017
  Degree: Associate of Science in Computer Science

• Sadie Carney (Johnstown)
  Graduation Date: May 2017
  Degree: Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences

• Hunter Connor (Boswell)
  Graduation Date: May 2017
  Degree: Associate of Science in Criminal Justice

• Mary Anne Cowfer (Tyrone)
  Graduation Date: December 2016
  Degree: Associate of Arts in Psychology

• Kylee Doyle (Holsopple)
  Graduation Date: May 2017
  Degree: Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences

• Jessica Shaffer (Ebensburg)
  Graduation Date: May 2017
  Degree: Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Pennsylvania Highlands would like to congratulate these students on their academic achievements, and look forward to what each of their futures will hold.

Crisis Intervention Training hosted at Richland Campus; Professor among Participants to earn Certificate

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College recently hosted the Laurel Highlands Region Crisis Intervention Team as they provided their annual Crisis Intervention Training during the final week of March to officers and others in the field.

This weeklong (40-hour) training program teaches individuals various techniques on how to engage with people in crises, including those who are mentally ill. Participants were able to hone their verbal de-escalation skills with the goal of creating nonviolent intervention through voluntary compliance.

Additional training topics dealt with handling the mentally ill, juveniles, and people with personality disorders, suicide prevention, and substance abuse. This program is currently in its 10^th year.

Twenty-one police and corrections officers from multiple counties attended the program, including the College’s own Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences, Dr. Robert Clark. After completion, all received a certificate during a graduation ceremony

Blair Students participated in Clean Up of Altoona

On Saturday, April 8th, students from the Pennsylvania Highlands Blair Center participated in a spring cleanup of a key thoroughfare in the City of Altoona. The intersections of 6th & 7th avenues with 7th & 8th streets are high traffic areas and are often the first to be seen by visitors and tourists.

Members of the Blair Center Student Activities Club swept remnants of this winter’s road treatments from the sidewalks in addition to gathering trash and debris in conjunction with the City of Altoona’s Public Works Department. Students arrived at these intersections around 8:00am, and continued to clear the area until noon.

Participants of Altoona Clean Up (L to R): Jen Daniels (Community Volunteer), Jenda Sible, Tracey McClellan and daughter, Rachel and Aaron Bakaysa, John Donnelly (AASD School Board President), Keith Bryant, Matthew Pacifico (Mayor of the City of Altoona), Joseph Eckels (Big A Booster Club President), Rebecca Rago, and Julie Patosky (Blair Center Director).

Somerset Center to host combined open house with Conemaugh Allied Health

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Somerset Center will be hosting a combined open house with Conemaugh Allied Health on Monday, March 20th, from 5:30pm to 7pm. This open house will be held at the College’s Somerset Center, located in the Somerset County Education Center at 6024 Glades Pike, Suite 210.

Individuals attending will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from both organizations. If you are interested in a Conemaugh Health program or simply wanting to learn more about earning your college degree, this event is the perfect place for you to begin and have any questions answered.

To learn more about this event or if you have any questions about Penn Highlands Somerset, please contact us at 814.443.2500, 1.888.385.PEAK, or somerset@pennhighlands.edu.