Newsroom

Assistant Professor receives Approval to become a Diplomate Child Forensic Interviewer

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate Dr. Robert Clark, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences, for being qualified and approved as a Diplomate (Expert) Child Forensic Interviewer through the National Association of Certified Child Forensic Interviewers (NACCFI).

This is the only professional credentialing program for child forensic interviewers in the United States. The “DCFI” is the highest of four practicing certification levels. Dr. Clark is one of only three professionals to be certified at this level in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Partnership between Colleges lead Students to Nanotechnology

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College recently hosted a series of nanofabrication presentations on the College’s Richland Campus, with over 150 interested college and high school students participating. The presentations informed students about educational and career opportunities available through an agreement between Pennsylvania Highlands and the Penn State Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology (NMT) Partnership.

Nanotechnology is a growing field in the United States and, according to an estimate by the National Science Foundation, there will be a need for one million skilled nanotechnology workers by 2015. This partnership between Penn State University and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will provide an opportunity for students in the region to develop valuable technical and scientific skills in this thriving field.

Students at Pennsylvania Highlands enrolled in Environmental Science, Pre-Engineering, General Studies, and Technology Management can qualify for the Nanofabrication Manufacturing Technology Capstone Semester at Penn State University Park.

Interested students will work with College faculty to select specific courses and develop the skills required admission into the program. These include college level algebra, chemistry, physics, writing, computer skills, and interpersonal skills.

Partnership allows Students to pursue a Career in Criminal Justice; Students will save Time and Money

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center have entered into an agreement that takes up to 12 credits from Johnstown Regional Police Academy graduates and applies them toward a Criminal Justice degree at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. This partnership allows Police Academy graduates to earn an associate degree in Criminal Justice in as little as three semesters, resulting in substantial savings and expanded career opportunities.

Upon acceptance into the Criminal Justice associate degree program at Pennsylvania Highlands, the agreement provides for up to 12 transfer credits toward the completion of the 63-credit Criminal Justice degree program. This partnership is the result of good, cooperative efforts by individuals from both organizations. Both institutions believe this partnership will benefit the community by:

• increasing access and opportunity for students;
• providing the ability for students to coordinate scheduling that allows for classes to be taken concurrently at Pennsylvania Highlands and the Police Academy;
• reducing the time and cost for students to complete a degree; and,
• minimizing student debt for many community members.

This partnership will result in an approximate savings of $2,200.00 for in-county students and $3,000 for out-of-county students entering into Criminal Justice at Pennsylvania Highlands. Both institutions reviewed learning outcomes, agreed upon general education and program competencies, and facilitated program changes where necessary to ensure that graduates are prepared to meet the academic and professional rigors of a career in law enforcement.

The Johnstown Regional Police Academy is accredited by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Training Commission. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

For more additional information on this opportunity or many others, contact the Pennsylvania Highlands Admissions Office at 814.262.6446 or admissions@pennhighlands.edu.

20 Acts of Kindness to celebrate 20 Years of Service

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, our students, staff, faculty, and administration are volunteering to take part in at least 20 Acts of Kindness this academic year. These acts of kindness will range from small – a random act of kindness for a stranger – to large – a student/staff community service trip.

Penn Highlands has become a leader in education through our locations in the Southern Alleghenies. We look forward to many years of serving our community through both our high quality educational opportunities and our community involvement.

Our projects reach out to a wide range of individuals and organizations. Each year our employees participate in activities including the United Way Day of Caring and our own One Book One Community Middle School Reading Program, where more than 1,200 local students and teachers visit the College to engage in reading and learning. Our employees also give more than $25,000 each year to our College Foundation and the United Way of the Laurel Highlands. Our student groups regularly perform more than 1,000 hours of community service each year, and collect goods and funds for local organizations.

Our goal for the 20 Acts of Kindness campaign is to build upon the good work we’ve already done the past 20 years and to create a sustaining culture of giving that begins with our students, graduates and employees and extends to each community we serve.

Pennsylvania Highlands would like you to join us in spreading the kindness. Share how you are volunteering or giving back to the community by using the hashtag #20ActsofKindness. Share your photos, thoughts, and kindness with us to begin spreading the good will across the region.

College honors long-time Supporter and renames Library

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced that the College’s library, located on the Richland Campus, will now be known as the Mangarella Library in honor of contributions made by long time College supporters, Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Joan Mangarella.

Mr. Mangarella has been a Pennsylvania Highlands’ Trustee since its inception in 1994, and has served as a member of its Foundation Board during that time. He and his wife are the only members of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation’s Founders Level for donors and have endowed a scholarship for students attending the institution.

“As the College celebrates its 20^th year I think it is fitting that we recognize the support of the people who helped us get to where we are today,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, College President. “Joe and Joan Mangarella were with us from the very beginning. They have shown their support in so many ways. It is our privilege and honor to host the Mangarella Library on our Richland Campus.”

A retired Cambria County businessman, Mr. Mangarella was recently named the recipient of the 2014 Northeast Regional Trustee Leadership Award. This award, given by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), recognizes the tremendous contributions made by trustees, equity programs, chief executive officers, faculty members, and professional board staff serving community colleges across the country.

“It has been very gratifying for Joan and I to be involved with Pennsylvania Highlands over the past twenty years,” said Joe Mangarella. “Witnessing the success of the students and the College has been amazing. We are honored to have our name on the library and look forward to the continued growth and success of Pennsylvania Highlands.”