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  • Faculty Members Earn Promotion & Tenure

    Posted June 27, 2024 at 11:06 am

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has promoted two faculty members and awarded tenure to another two, recognizing their dedication to teaching excellence, advising, professional development, and service to both the college and the wider community.

    Their work with students is exemplary and serves as an inspiration to students and colleagues alike. The new status of each faculty member will become effective in July 2024.

    Eligible faculty members undergo a rigorous application and review process that assesses their effectiveness in full-time teaching/advising and service to Penn Highlands, the community, and professional development.

    Faculty earning advancement in rank:

    • Gregory Paonessa, from Instructor to Assistant Professor, Computer Technology. Mr. Paonessa began his career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2019. Prior to that, he worked as a software engineer. He teaches courses in computer programming, software development, and project management. Mr. Paonessa has a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
    • Sherri Slavick, from Associate Professor to Professor, Physical Sciences. Ms. Slavick began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2012. Prior to that, she was employed as a teacher and instructional designer. She teaches courses in Physics, Astronomy, and Education. Ms. Slavick has a M.S. in Science Education from Lebanon Valley College, and a B.S. in Secondary Education from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

    Faculty earning tenure:

    • Laura Gaunt, Assistant Professor, Healthcare Professions. Ms. Gaunt began her full-time career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2019. Prior to that, she worked as a staff nurse for 18 years and in nursing administration for 2 years. She teaches courses in Health Sciences. Ms. Gaunt is a graduate of the Conemaugh School of Nursing program and has a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh.
    • Wayde Simington, Assistant Professor, Mathematics. Mr. Simington began his full-time career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2019. Prior to that, he was an adjunct instructor for the College. He teaches courses in Mathematics. Mr. Simington has a B.S. in Applied Mathematics, a B.S. in Secondary Education Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh, and an M.S. in Mathematics from Emporia State University.

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been serving the region since 1994 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

    Gregory Paonessa, Assistant Professor, Computer Technology

    Sherri Slavick, Professor, Physical Sciences

    Laura Gaunt, Assistant Professor, Healthcare Professions

    Wayde Simington, Assistant Professor, Mathematics

  • Summer Open House Planned For July

    Posted June 25, 2024 at 9:30 am

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be hosting a Summer Admissions & Athletics Open House on Monday, July 22, at the College’s Richland Campus and Blair, Ebensburg, and Somerset Centers.  

    The Open House will begin at 2 PM. Those who wish to attend can RSVP by visiting www.pennhighlands.edu/openhouse/. The event is open to the public. 

    “Whether you’re considering starting this August or want to get a head start for next year, this is a great time to see how your local Community College can benefit you,” stated Matthew Bodenschatz, Director of Recruiting & Admissions. 

    Attendees will go through the admissions and financial aid processes, learn about activities, academics, and athletics, take a tour, and have one-on-one conversations with an admissions counselor to discuss their futures. 

    Those who attend will also get the chance to connect with a knowledgeable faculty member who specializes in teaching courses in their specific area of study. The Richland Campus is scheduled to have three-to-four faculty members, while others will have one or two.  

    Directions and addresses for all locations can be found on our website at www.pennhighlands.edu/locations/. Those who fill out a survey upon attending will be entered in a drawing to win a $250 scholarship. 

    Register For Event

  • Commission Celebrates Recent Grads Set To Fill Workforce Needs Statewide

    Posted June 17, 2024 at 1:03 pm

    The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC) celebrated the graduation of 7,530 students from the state’s 15 community colleges last month. Of those, Pennsylvania Highlands celebrated the graduation of 303 students in May, with the top associate degrees being Liberal Arts and Sciences (72), Business Management (31), Medical Coding and Billing (19), Education (19), Accounting (13), and Radiologic Technology (13). 

    Pennsylvania’s community colleges annually enroll over 245,000 students at 80 different campus locations, providing real savings to students and families as they pursue additional college credentials.  

    “Penn Highlands continues to provide affordable, accessible and quality education to the communities we serve, and our graduates are expertly trained to either transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree at a university or to quickly enter the workforce,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Pennsylvania Highlands President. 

    Based on current census and population data, it is estimated Pennsylvania’s projected skilled worker shortage could reach 820,000 in the coming years. Community colleges already excel in providing skilled graduates to help meet the state and the region’s workforce needs that will support continued economic expansion.  

    Around half of Penn Highlands graduates will immediately enter the region’s workforce as highly trained professionals while the remainder will focus on a bachelor’s degree before entering the workforce.  

    Community colleges are the state’s largest provider of public postsecondary education and workforce training and offer the lowest public postsecondary cost of attendance in Pennsylvania. About 55 percent of undergraduate students enrolled in a Pennsylvania college or university are enrolled at one of the state’s community colleges.  

    Additionally, 75 percent of community colleges’ programs align with High Priority Occupations in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, and public safety. Community colleges award over 4,000 healthcare credentials annually on average, including 75 percent of all associate degrees in nursing in the state.  

    “Penn Highlands will remain focused on its mission to provide outstanding educational opportunities to the communities we serve,” Nunez stated.  

  • Somerset Trust Donates $20,000 To College Foundation

    Posted June 3, 2024 at 2:57 pm

    The Somerset Trust Company generously donated $20,000 to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation, aimed at strengthening the College’s Educational Income Tax Credit (EITC) fund.

    The donation will enable the bank (based in Somerset, PA) and other institutions to support educational causes offered by the College. With Penn Highlands also applying for and maintaining its EITC status, the donation will help allow the College to offer classes at a reduced price for its dual enrollment students through the Accelerated College Education program.

    “We are very grateful for Somerset Trust Company’s continued generosity towards our college and our students,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “”They are supporting a valuable program that attracted over 1,100 students from 53 school districts last year, and it continues to experience growth.”

    The EITC program empowers high school students to enroll in college-level courses, allowing them to earn credits and explore the opportunities that Penn Highlands can provide for their future careers. This is the second contribution Somerset Trust Company has made to the College’s EITC fund, joining a donation made in 2023.

    “Somerset Trust Company is pleased to support the community-focused, educational mission of Penn Highlands,” stated John Kubinsky, Somerset Trust Company Vice President and Commercial Credit Officer. “The College is a valued asset to our area. Its degrees and programs support the region’s ongoing economic and workforce needs.”

    The EITC Program received $17,000 in funds in 2023. This allowed the College to award more than 7,000 credits at a discounted rate to over 2,000 participating students in the past year.

    The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is grateful to the Somerset Trust Company for its donations and continuous partnership.

    Check being given to the College Foundation at the Richland Campus. Left to right: Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation; Nancy D’Aniello, Director of Education and Training Solutions at Concurrent Technologies Corporation; Traci Naugle, Attorney at Forr, Stokan, Huff, Kormanski & Naugle; Jeffrey Wood, President of the Pennsylvania Highlands Foundation Board of Directors; Steve Nunez, Pennsylvania Highlands President; John Kubinsky, Somerset Trust Company Vice President/Commercial Credit Officer; Ed Porada, Foundation Board Secretary; David Mordan, Foundation Board Vice President (May 2023).

  • New Culinary Scholarship Supports Students Seeking Culinary Arts Careers

    Posted May 28, 2024 at 1:06 pm

    The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is delighted to introduce a new scholarship opportunity for our community: the Ignite the Fire Culinary Scholarship. This initiative supports students pursuing studies in the College’s Culinary Arts program.

    This is funded through the support of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation, the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, the 1889 Foundation, and other generous community donors.

    “Current and future Culinary Arts students have a wonderful opportunity,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “This scholarship is designed to help students succeed academically and in their careers. In most cases, culinary students can attend Penn Highlands with minimal or no cost.”

    To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be high school graduates with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Applicants must enroll as a full-time Culinary Arts student at Penn Highlands and have accepted any aid eligible to help pay for a college education.

    Culinary students not meeting eligibility criteria due to a lower credit load (less than 12 enrolled credits) or high school GPA can directly appeal to the College Foundation for exceptions.

    The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation awards scholarships based on the availability of annual funds, at their discretion. Each student’s financial aid amount is decided after carefully reviewing their application, ensuring assistance is tailored to individual needs.

    The Ignite the Fire Culinary Scholarship accompanies the launch of the College’s Center for Culinary Excellence, which officially opened its doors in March of 2024 in downtown Johnstown.

    More Details