Newsroom

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.

College partners with local Industry to reinstate Award-Winning Program

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has partnered with FirstEnergy Corp’s Pennsylvania utilities, including Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec), Metropolitan Edison, West Penn Power, and Pennsylvania Power, to reinstate the award-winning Power Systems Institute program. The Power Systems Institute is a two-year program that combines hands-on utility skills training at Penelec’s Johnstown Training Facility with academic coursework from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

FirstEnergy covers the cost of tuition for those who meet their selection criteria and program graduates are awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electric Utility Technology from Penn Highlands. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these students stand to have a median annual salary of $69,400 if they stay in Pennsylvania and work within this field.

In addition to Penelec, Penn Highlands Community College maintains local and regional partnerships with multiple industries, including health and human services, manufacturing, transportation, and economic development, to advance its mission of providing quality and affordable opportunities for learning that meet regional needs.

For more information about the Power Systems Institute, call 1.800.829.6801 or visit www.firstenergycorp.com/psi.

Penn Highlands and FirstEnergy recently welcomed its new class of students into the program for the Fall 2015 semester. The program will train the next generation of utility substation workers. Photo taken at Penelec’s Johnstown Training Facility.

New Dental Assistant Program to begin in September through Continuing Education

Continuing Education at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be offering a new Dental Assistant training program beginning this fall. The Dental Assistant program will provide students with the necessary knowledge and hands-on skills needed for an entry-level position as a dental assistant.

Dental Assistant will cover the areas of dental theory and terminology, four-handed chair side procedures, exposing and processing dental radiographs (x-rays), infection control standards, preparing dental materials, and effective patient communication. In addition to the classroom lectures and labs, students will be afforded the opportunity to take part in hands-on training through an 80-hour clinical externship at a local dental clinic

Students that successfully complete the program will also be prepared to sit for the Radiology Health and Safety examination.

The Dental Assistant program begins on September 14th, and will conclude on November 23rd. Classes will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at our Richland Campus, from 5pm to 9pm. The program tuition is $1,199.

For payment options and registration information, please contact Continuing Education at 814.262.3815 or continuinged@pennhighlands.edu.

Media Production Student to attend Confer Radio Talent Institute

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College student Glenn Barbis, of Johnstown, will be attending an intensive 10-day radio conference at Bloomsburg University in Columbia County, PA. Glenn Barbis is a second-year Media Production student who heard about the Confer Radio Talent Institute through Forever Media, Inc. Forever Media is assisting with tuition and meals for a deserving student to attend the Institute. The College’s Media Production Club at the College is also assisting with Glenn’s room at the conference.

The Institute, being held from July 10 through July 16, includes between thirty and forty radio professionals, all touching on aspects of the radio industry including on-air, sales, sports, news, production, management, marketing, programming, etc. Students participating in the institute often have a substantially higher rate of post-graduate placement in beginning their careers. To date, 7 out of 10 participants are working in radio or a related field.

Forever Media of Johnstown operates stations Froggy 95, 96 Key, Hot 92, Cool 101.7, Rocky 99, and others throughout the region. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College offers quality, affordable academic programming to residents of the Southern Alleghenies and beyond.