Newsroom

Three Professors certified as Cybercrime Investigators; look to advance Criminal Justice & Information Technology

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that three full-time faculty members were recently certified as Cybercrime Investigators by the International Fraternity of Cybercrime Investigators (IFCI). Congratulations to:

• Dr. Robert Clark, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice and Social Sciences
• Dr. Kevin Slonka, Assistant Professor, Computer Science
• Mr. Dennis Miller, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice

By completing the IFCI-CCI (Certified Cybercrime Investigator) Professional Certification exam, Dr. Slonka, Dr. Clark, and Mr. Miller received in-depth, hands-on technical training from some of the top experts in federal law enforcement, as well as first-class instruction from highly recognized university professors.

The certification process provides training in a myriad of cybercrime topics including – but not limited to – network intrusion, system forensic artifacts, deleted file recovery and file carving, forensic acquisition, memory and malware analysis, and more. Completing the certification program ensures that Dr. Clark, Dr. Slonka, and Mr. Miller have an expertise in all of the previous fields.

Penn Highlands is consistently looking for new and innovate ways to help our region and its population find success in today’s technologically advanced society. These three professors understand the College’s vision and have taken it upon themselves to advance the College’s Criminal Justice and Information Technology degree programs for the success of the students these programs serve.

“Penn Highlands is here to help our community thrive,” stated Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services. “Our faculty members have a clear understanding of how changes within industry demand a response in the classroom. This represents a forward-thinking approach to higher education that speaks volumes about their commitment to students and their discipline.”

To help better serve our community and our students, Penn Highlands has expanded our Information Technology program into three separate tracks under the leadership of Dr. Slonka: Cyber Security, Network Administration, and Server Administration. All three tracks are designed to prepare students to enter the workforce immediately in any number of entry-level positions.

Our Criminal Justice degrees are built for students to either immediately enter the workforce or to easily transfer to a four-year institution with junior standing. Students have found success in many fields through our program – from the police force to crime statistics analysts and more.

About the International Fraternity of Cybercrime Investigators
The U.S. Department of Justice recognizes cybercrime as one of the biggest threats facing our nation’s security, prosperity and safety — and it’s not a threat that will simply go away. At IFCI, our mission is to equip highly skilled analysts and investigators to combat this threat both in the U.S. and abroad.

From Left to Right: Mr. Dennis Miller, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice; Dr. Kevin Slonka, Assistant Professor, Computer Science; Dr. Robert Clark, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice and Social Sciences.

Men’s Basketball Player Tim Biakapia earns National Player of the Week Honor

The NJCAA national office has announced that Penn Highlands freshman forward Tim Biakapia (Northwest HS, Germantown, MD) has been named the Division III National Men’s Basketball Player of the Week for the week of February 6^th – 12^th.

During the week, Biakapia averaged 25.5 points per game, 10.5 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game, and 2.5 blocks per game. In two games, Biakapia shot 79.2% from the field (19-24) and made every free throw taken (13-13). Penn Highlands went 2-0 over that span with both wins coming against conference opponents.

“Tim has made such a huge impact on our team this year as a freshman,” Black Bears Head Coach Landon Loya said. “He is extremely versatile, has a good attitude, and most importantly, is a great teammate. He has truly been a pleasure to coach this year.”

Currently, Biakapia is ranked 11th in the nation in rebounds (11.1 RPG), 17^th in the nation in FG% (59.5%), and 25th in the nation in points (21.6 PPG).

“With Tim stepping up and playing big minutes as a freshman, combined with a talented group of sophomores led by Tony [Acrie, Altoona HS] and Jake [Lushko, Richland HS], it has been a great year for our team,” Loya said.

Penn Highlands recently finished their regular season with a 12-10 record, including a 9-3 conference record. The Black Bears received a first round bye and will host a second round home conference playoff game on Saturday, February 18^th, at the East Hills Recreation gym at 2pm. They face the winner of the Western Pennsylvania Athletic Association first round matchup between Westmoreland County Community College and CCAC-Boyce.

For additional information, please contact Sue Brugh, Director of Athletics, at 814.262.6463 or sbrugh@pennhighlands.edu.

College hosting Benefit Basketball Game benefiting local Alzheimer’s Foundation

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is teaming with the East Hills Recreation Commission to host a “Fill the Gym” Benefit Basketball Game on Monday, February 6th, at 6pm. The game will take place in the East Hills Gymnasium, with all proceeds benefiting the Laurel Highlands Alzheimer’s Foundation.

The benefit basketball game will feature our Pennsylvania Highlands’ Black Bears in their next to last home game. The team will face off against the Community College of Allegheny County – Boyce in a highly anticipated WPCC matchup.

The Laurel Highlands Alzheimer’s Foundation will use the proceeds (from donations at the door, concession sales, and other game day events) to help provide free services to those impacted by the disease in our local area. These services include trained respite care, monthly support groups, and annual screenings.

Doors open at 5pm.

About Laurel Highlands Alzheimer’s Foundation
The Laurel Highlands Alzheimer’s Foundation is a group dedicated to providing information and support to those afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease, or to those providing care for person’s with Alzheimer’s Disease. The group has two focus areas: early screening for dementia and respite care for caregivers.

Continuing Education Employee receives Certified Professional Programmer Designation

Valerie Wojcik, Continuing Education Manager

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate Valerie Wojcik, Continuing Education Manager, on receiving the designation of Certified Professional Programmer, or C2P, by the Learning Resources Network (LERN). LERN is the world’s largest association for continuing education and lifelong learning.

This certification is awarded to practicing professionals in the field who complete the LERN Advanced Programming Institute and pass the certification exam in the area of lifelong learning programming. This will allow the programming professional to use the initials in correspondence and other communication.

“We are pleased to have Ms. Wojcik as a Certified Professional Programmer,” noted William A. Draves, President of LERN. “The professional designation brings greater expertise in serving the community with lifelong learning programs. With lifelong learning an increasingly important factor in both economic prosperity and quality of life, Ms. Wojcik is making a positive contribution to the community and society.”

About Learning Resources Network (LERN)

LERN was founded in 1974 and serves more than 9,000 professionals every year. This association provides practical, how-to information on marketing, finances, management, sales and product development. LERN serves a wide variety of institutions, including state universities, four-year colleges, colleges within universities, private colleges, community colleges, technical colleges, public schools, recreation departments, and other associations. Over 3,000 CPP’s have been awarded throughout the world.

Local Businesses donate to the College Foundation

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation recently received donations from local businesses in support of the College’s Accelerated College Education program.

Dr. Walter Asonevich, President and Dr. Melissa Murray, Associate Vice President of External Affairs of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, accepted donations from 1ST SUMMIT BANK, CDI L.R. Kimball, F.N.B. Corporation, and UPMC for the Foundation’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. These EITC donations were given to help support the College’s ACE Program.

The College’s ACE Program provides high school students in grades 9-12 with an opportunity to earn college credits while taking courses at their high school. The program served nearly 1,400 students during the Fall 2016 semester.

Greg Winger (left), of F.N.B. Corporation, delivers a donation of $4,500 to Dr. Walter Asonevich and Dr. Melissa Murray (right), of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.