Newsroom

Dual Enrollment program excels; other Colleges take notice

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been receiving recognition for its nationally accredited dual enrollment program known as Accelerated College Education (ACE). This has prompted both two and four-year institutions to seek the assistance of Pennsylvania Highlands in improving their own dual enrollment programs. Jennifer Parizo, Community Education Specialist at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, recently visited Penn Highlands and Dr. Melissa Murray, Dean of School Partnerships, to learn more about how the College’s ACE program operates in the hopes of emulating that success.

“Having the chance to talk with Dr. Murray, her team, and related professionals at Penn Highlands provided us with validation that we’re on the right track,” said Parizo. “We’re excited for the chance to establish the next phase of our program and build it around the exemplary program that Penn Highlands has developed.”

The Accelerated College Education (ACE) dual enrollment program is accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment, which makes it one of only two such accredited programs in Pennsylvania. Through ACE, Pennsylvania Highlands partners with high schools throughout the state, providing students with the opportunity to earn college credits during their regular school day. The program benefits high school students in a variety of ways according to Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

“The opportunity to participate in a class that has been developed to include college-level coursework and rigor provides a great overall learning experience for these students,” stated Dr. Walter Asonevich. “They are studying the subject matter and also developing skills that they can take with them to the next educational level, while earning transferable credits at a dramatically reduced tuition rate.”

The College’s ACE program began in 2004 with only seven high schools and just over 250 students participating. Today, ACE operates in over 50 high schools across 12 counties, teaching over 1,200 students through more than 250 instructors. The growth of Pennsylvania Highlands’ ACE program highlights the strength and benefits that ACE provides high school students not only in our region and across the state.

Group Photo (from left to right): Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Dr. Ted Nichols, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Jennifer Parizo, Community Education Specialist at the University of Maine at Fort Kent; Dr. Melissa Murray, Dean of School Partnerships at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; and Joe Slifko, Accelerated College Education Faculty Coordinator.

College appoints Assistant Center Director for Blair & Huntingdon

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce the appointment of Heather Eckels as the College’s Assistant Center Director for Blair and Huntingdon. Ms. Eckels holds a Master of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Public Service from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

College appoints Assistant Vice President of Human Resources

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce the appointment of Susan Fisher as the College’s Assistant Vice President of Human Resources.

Ms. Fisher will manage all of the Human Resource functions at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. She holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland University College and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from West Virginia University. Additionally, Ms. Fisher has earned her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification.

Prior to joining Pennsylvania Highlands, Ms. Fisher worked in Human Resource positions in the manufacturing sector.

Blair Center & United Way collaborate on The Glass Slipper Project; Help Students receive Prom Gowns

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Blair Center is anxious to once again host The Glass Slipper Project, a program of United Way of Blair County. This program collects new and gently-worn prom, special occasion, and bridesmaid gowns to distribute, at no cost, to Blair County High School students through multiple boutique days held in February and March at the College’s Blair Center.

Many of Blair County’s high school students are economically disadvantaged and might not otherwise be able to afford a gown to attend their prom. The Glass Slipper Project helps to assure that the needs of these young women are met.

The boutique days will be held at the Pennsylvania Highlands Blair Center, located in the Logan Valley Mall next to Macy’s. There will be three boutique days, which are scheduled for:

• Saturday, February 27th, from 12 – 4pm
• Friday, March 18th, from 5:30 – 8:30pm
• Saturday, March 19th, from 12 – 4pm

If you are interested in donating gently-worn prom and special occasion gowns and formal accessories for The Glass Slipper Project, donations are being accepted at the Penn Highlands Community College Blair Center. Gowns should be clean and currently-styled in misses/women’s sizes 0-26. In addition to gowns, formal shoes, purses, and accessories are also being accepted. Donations may be dropped off at the College until February 18th.

For additional information about the Glass Slipper Project, please contact the United Way of Blair County at outreach@unitedwayofblaircounty.org or 814.944.0884 ext. 302.

Students, Alumni, & Faculty Volunteer for Night to Shine Event; Give back to the Community

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is committed to encouraging its students and alumni to give back to the community. Through this commitment, multiple members of the College’s family are doing just that.

Students Emily Potter, Hannah Telenko, and Angela Blank, as well as alumni Kelsey McLachin and Cassidy Belle, will be involved as “prom buddies” for the upcoming Night to Shine event on February 12th, a prom night experience for those with special needs. As a prom buddy, these students and alumni will be paired with a person with special needs throughout the night.

Additionally, Alissa Borow and Glenn Barbis, both members of the College’s Media Production Club led by faculty member Rick Bukoski, will be providing videography of the event. The footage will be not only be used by the event’s organizers, but as a class project for those in the College’s Media Production program.

100 individuals with special needs were invited to be guests for the prom. These invited guests will enter the prom on a red carpet complete with welcoming friendly paparazzi, and they will receive VIP treatment including hair and make-up stations, shoe shining stations, corsages and boutonnieres, a karaoke room, dinner, and, of course, dancing! The highlight of the evening will be when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom. The prom buddies and volunteers will be there every step of the way to make the night as magical as possible for those in which they are accompanying.

The event is being led and organized by Dennis Miller, an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, and his wife Sue. Dennis and Sue, leaders of the special needs ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church, have spent months planning and preparing for the prom.

“The Night to Shine event provides Pennsylvania Highlands Community College students with a unique opportunity to serve the community in a meaningful manner,” said Miller. “They have the chance to recognize persons with special needs as valuable members of society while earning community service hours, applying skill sets learned in the classroom, and completing class projects. It is a great way for the members of the College to give back to the community by serving those with special needs.”