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College designated a 2016 Military Friendly® School; named to Top 25 Community Colleges List

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College announced today that it has been designated a 2016 Military Friendly® School, as well as a spot on the Top 25 Community Colleges list, by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds, and publisher of G.I. Jobs®, STEM Jobs^SM, and Military Spouse. Now in its seventh year, the original, premier Military Friendly® Schools designation provides service members and their families with transparent, data driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities.

Institutions competed for the elite Military Friendly® School title by completing a survey of over 100 questions covering ten categories, including military support on campus, graduation and employment outcomes, and military spouse policies. Survey responses were scored against benchmarks across these key indicators of success. In addition, data was independently tested by EY (Ernst & Young) based upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media with guidance from an independent Advisory Board of higher education and recruiting professionals.

“Pennsylvania Highlands is pleased to once again be recognized as a military friendly school,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “We take great pride in providing educational opportunities to members of the military and their families and thank them for their sacrifice and service.”

“Post-secondary institutions earning the 2016 Military Friendly® School award have exceptionally strong programs for transitioning service members and spouses,” said Daniel Nichols, Chief Product Officer of Victory Media and Navy Reserve veteran. “Our Military Friendly® Schools are truly aligning their military programs and services with employers to help students translate military experience, skills and training into successful careers after graduation.”

Visit Pennsylvania Highlands Community College full website for more information about the College’s commitment to attracting and supporting military students at www.pennhighlands.edu. Penn Highlands will be showcased along with other 2016 Military Friendly® Schools in the annual Guide to Military Friendly® Schools, special education issues of G.I. Jobs® and Military Spouse Magazine, and on MilitaryFriendly.com.

About Victory Media: Based in Pittsburgh, Victory Media is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects classrooms to careers for the nation’s next generation of professionals. Our data driven ratings are published in G.I. Jobs®, Military Spouse, Vetrepreneur®, and STEM Jobs^SM media, and featured in national media including USA Today, Wall Street Journal, FORTUNE, Bloomberg, NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, CNBC, Fox News and others. Learn more about our Media, Training and Ratings solutions at victorymedia.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

Somerset Center to host combined Open House with Conemaugh Allied Health

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Somerset Center will be holding a combined open house with Conemaugh Allied Health on Monday, November 9th, from 6pm to 7:30pm. This open house will be held at the College’s Somerset Center, in the Georgian Place, Somerset.

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

To learn more about Pennsylvania Highlands Somerset, or this event, please contact the Center at 814.443.2500, 1.888.385.PEAK, or somerset@pennhighlands.edu.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been serving community members for over 20 years with quality and affordable academic options, including degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

Celebrate Fall with Haunted Week; Free events, including a Community Trick or Treat

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is celebrating the fall season by planning several free events open to the public, including students, faculty, and staff, and members of the community. All events will be held on the College’s Richland Campus at 101 Community College Way, and will include the following:

• Monday, October 26, from 6pm to 7:30pm: A community trick or treat will be held throughout the Richland Campus for children 12 and under. This will be combined with fall games and crafts for the children, and a haunted hallway

• Tuesday, October 27, 12:30pm to 2pm: Held in the Cyber Lounge, a themed murder mystery, “A Spooky Hollow Horror” will occur. The grand celebration of the new owner has been overshadowed by the spine-chilling murder of one of the guests. Since everyone is a suspect, this ghoulish gang is out for an afternoon of fright and horror! All guests will have fun playing their unique characters and investigating this unpredictable outcome. Contact Jake Goch to register at 814.262.6486 or jgoch@pennhighlands.edu.

• Wednesday, October 28, from 1pm to 3pm: Want to star in your own short Halloween horror movie? It only takes 10 minutes. The Media Production Club wants to give you the title role in the blockbuster hit “School of the Damned!” Your character will be thrown into the terrifying Zombie Pit (the courtyard) to battle and live to see another day. How will it end? The choice is yours! And, don’t forget to watch the credits for the bonus post-credits scene. This black and white horror extravaganza comes complete with full production and your name in the credits, and the Club will provide you with a electronic copy of your masterpiece. A $5 donation to the Media Production Club would be accepted to help fund future projects. Schedule your appointment with stardom by emailing Glenn Barbis at v385o2@pennhighlands.edu.

• Friday, October 30, from 12:30pm to 2pm: Held in the Cyber Lounge, the second annual reading of select works by Edgar Allen Poe will be done by students. Works include “The Raven”, “The Cask of Amontillado”, and others. Come and join us for an afternoon of eerie literary fun listening to some of Poe’s psychological thrillers! For die hard Poe fans, feel free to come dressed in your best 1840s period attire.

Further details on any of the events can be obtained by contacting Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Student Activities at 814.262.6463 or studentactivities@pennhighlands.edu.

Partnership between Penn Highlands and Pitt-Johnstown to strengthen Community and reshape Higher Education

An innovative collaboration between two important educational leaders in the region will reshape the way in which many students think about higher education. The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College have entered into an articulation agreement, which guarantees the transfer of a Penn Highlands Community College Associate of Arts degree into one of ten bachelor’s degree programs at Pitt-Johnstown. The agreement was signed today in Blackington Hall on the Pitt-Johnstown campus.

Articulation agreements are designed to build strong partnerships and coordination between schools to aid in a smooth transition for students. By identifying comparable coursework, degree requirements can be met at one institution and transferred to another institution. With such an agreement, students are more likely to make better choices that can save both time and money. Four-year universities are noticing that transfer students have a high graduation rate, and well-crafted articulation agreements often contribute to a student’s success at the university. Articulation agreements exist between and among many colleges and universities but this agreement forges a connection for these two local colleges that is rarely seen.

“This collaboration sends a strong message that Pitt-Johnstown and Penn Highlands are focused on serving the needs of their students and the community,” stated Walter Asonevich, Penn Highlands Community College president. “Creating an affordable and timely pathway for the completion of both an associate’s and bachelor’s degree should be the goal of all colleges and universities across the country, and we are thrilled to enter into this agreement with the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.”

Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar said, “This agreement reflects our shared priorities of student success, access, and affordability. More Penn Highlands students will have the opportunity to easily transfer to Pitt-Johnstown and continue on the pathway to achieve their educational and career goals.” He continued, “We are delighted to partner with Penn Highlands to open more opportunities for students in the Laurel Highlands.”

With this collaboration, students will begin their studies by completing their associate’s degree at Penn Highlands Community College, and then transfer to Pitt-Johnstown to complete their bachelor’s degree in one of ten programs. The Pitt-Johnstown programs include Communication, Creative Writing, Professional Writing, English Literature, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Environmental Studies, and Psychology.

College appoints two Associate Deans

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce two new appointments, Cynthia McCabe as the Associate Dean of Curriculum and Continuing Education and Larry Brugh as the Associate Dean of Career Services and Workforce Education.

“Each of these individuals bring a strong record of professional accomplishments in higher education, serving the education and training needs of students, employers, and the wider community,” stated Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands.

Ms. Cynthia McCabe, of Cresson, is tasked with assisting faculty to ensure the quality and integrity of curricular offerings, approving credit for transfer and prior learning assessment, assisting in schedule development, and evaluating student academic progress for graduation. In terms of Continuing Education, she and her staff are focused on advancing efforts to more effectively serve non-traditional students.

Mr. Larry Brugh, of Richland, will direct Career Services at Pennsylvania Highlands, helping students clarify their career goals and preparing them to meet the high expectations of today’s workplace. In terms of Workforce Development, he will serve as a liaison for the College’s WEDnetPA contract and other customized employee training programs. Pennsylvania Highlands is the primary provider of WEDnetPA employee training contracts across the Southern Alleghenies region.

Pennsylvania Highlands is focused on providing quality and affordable educational opportunities to residents of the Southern Alleghenies and beyond.