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Dean’s List for Spring 2014 announced

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2014 semester:

Altoona – Sheila M. Cooper, Vicky P. Doeing, Shawn David Jenkins, Robert Lawrence Lynn, Jada M. Oswald, Austin James Pennington, Nicholas Trevor Ransom, Zunaria Shahid

Beaverdale – Sara Ann Borelle, Karen S. Hendrickson, Nannette M. Parkinson

Berlin – Tyler Scott Hoffman

Bolivar – Adam Leonard Miller

Boswell – Alexander Nicholas Felice, Morgan Elizabeth Lyons

Cairnbrook – Jesse Michael Tranovich

Carrolltown – Michael A. Crimaldi, Marissa Nicole Whited

Cassandra – William Richard Noel

Central City – Marissa A. Corradini, Shawn David Hostetler, Marcia Lynne Kimmel, Tara Elizabeth Kozlick, Rachel Mae Williams, Penny Joy Zvonik

Chambersburg – Mark Allen Kring

Colver – Megan Renee Norris, Jordan Rae Skibo

Conemaugh – Tyler Zack Gregorchik

Confluence – Rachel Lynne Phillippi

Cresson – Bridget Theresa George, Marsue Rochelle Glenn, Ashley Rose Wray

Davidsville – Barbara Jean Cotchen, Emily R. Felton, Belinda R. Ford, John Samuel Rosiek, Grant Lee Speigle, Jennifer C. Yoder

Duncansville – Anna Ruth Lesh, Jessica Lynn Long, Allison Nicole Recker

Dunlo – Daniel Robert Moore, Luther T Varljen

Dysart – Jennifer Nicole Gosnell

East Conemaugh – Michelle A. Wirick

Ebensburg – Tammy Jo Dollar, Rachel Lin Gatto, Michaela Catherine Hanlon, Corey Thomas Hoover, Kimberly Jo Lloyd, Chelsea Ann Nelson, Pamela J O’Hara, Briana Elizabeth Platt, Harley Paul Shaffer, Allyson Nichole Sherry, Tiffany Renee Weber

Elmora – Corey Joseph Lane

Friedens – Molly Katherine Hoover, Erikia Lynn Marek, Kayla Erin Elizabeth Maust

Gallitzin –Traci Lee Pennabaker, Joann Watt

Hastings- Angela Nichole Yingling

Hesston – Angela Kaye Nicklow

Hollidaysburg – Andrew Scott Brown, Thomas Andrew Campbell, Dawniell W. Gampe, Alyssa Dena Harris, Sean T. Riggleman, Taylor James Smilnak

Hollsopple – Heather L. Briskey, Antony M. Direnzo, Janel Renee Letosky, Kelsey Lynn Smith, Lucas T. Spengler

Hooversville – Steven D. Harman, Kristen A. Moyer, Alyssa M. Varner

Huntingdon – Katie Noelle Brenneman, David Quintin Haizlip, Alexander Marc Moffa, Brian David Stromer

Jenners – Jennifer Renee Leskovich

Jerome- Bethany L. George

Johnstown- Jennifer R. Altemus, Brittany M. Amrhein, Joseph H. Asel, Deanna Nicole Bair, Clinton S. Belcher, Cassidy Nicole Belle, Cathy M. Bergman, Jennifer Biggs, Christopher Alan Bilak, Shauna M. Bixel, Amanda Beth Bowes, Korey T. Boyer, Eric Michael Bozich, Justin Francis Capouellez, Earl R Carnahan, Francine L. Cashaw, Jennifer M. Claycomb, Kristina M. Collins, Sierra Marie Conahan, Hannah Glasgow Crittenden, Christopher Anthony Crocco, Ryan T. Dabbs, Jodi Lynn Daughenbaugh, James Kenneth Davison, Amy Beth Dixon, Marc Alan Doulon, Richard Brian Duncan, Amber Janae Easterbrook, Laura Katherine Eidem, Kristen Marie Emigh, Danielle Marie Fabina, Sharon Lynn Ferguson, Steven William Frombach, Hunter Edward Furman, Larry Lee Gall, Christopher Richard Garman, Richard David Gibson, Alyssa Deanne Gilpatrick, Kali A. Gilpatrick, Ashley Tena Marie Godin, Carlos A. Gonzalez, John Robert Groman, Cristy Jean Haberkorn, Michael J. Hall, Angel L. Harkness, Cory Michael Hartland, Carri A. Hearn, William Bruce Allen Hearn, Cortney Marie Hildebrand, Lynsey Jordan Hindmarch, Ryan David Hirko, Aaron Hochstein, Paige M. Hockycko, Cortney A. Holovka, Michael David Horrell, Kelly Elizabeth Howard,Chelsea Lee Hull, Thomas D. Hunter, Tammy J. Hutzell, Melania A. Jefferson, Victoria L. Karsaba, Brian Keith Kauffman, Brittany Marie Kelley, Assaad Assaad Khalil, Cynthia Marie Kist, Kelsey Eileen Knepper, Melissa Marie Korenoski, Jessica K. Krouse, Madison Alayne LaMantia, April Joy Larsen, Elizabeth Marie Mahoney, Kayli Marie Mangus, Morris A. Manson, Angela Marie Margucci, Desarae Brooke Margucci, Annalise Eden Martin, Tiffany M. Matchik, Cynthia May, Richard Earl McCaulley, Amanda M. McGlynn, Michaela H. McIntosh, Joyce M. Miller, Megan B. Miller, Morgan Marie Miller, Penny Maureen Miller, Amanda Faith Milne, Brenda L. Miltenberger, Tyler Michael Mirabile, Anita L. Moore, Michelle G. Moore, Kelli Marie Moses, Cindy G. Neese, Kaylee A. Neff, Amanda Marie Oaks, William Charles Olson, Samantha Lee Orlando, Edward F. Partsch, Jennifer L. Percinsky, Alyse C. Pollard, Emily Jane Potter, Michele Pratt, Alyssa Kylee Pudliner, Justin S. Ramsdorfer, Kara Marie Ream, Kayla Lyn Redvay, Andrew Joseph Restivo, Alexander Roth Roberts, Jeannette Marie Rovder, Ambyr K. Rowe, Jeremy Matthew Ruiz, Jordan Lee Ruiz, Brett M. Sanderson, Amanda Lea Sauro, Mark Allen Sauro, Alexis H. Sharp, Chet Sharp, Arik Trevan Shue, William Paul Sievers, Christopher S. Sposito, David Paul Stem, Nicholas Gabriel Sycz, Jared M. Tabek, Jamika Elizabeth Thomas, Lindsey Marie Thomas, Cathy Lynn Thompson, Rebecca Jean Thompson, William Russell Tomb, Gregory Varner, Josette M. Villecco, Desiree Marie Walker, Joseph Frederick Walters, Alesa L. Weslager, Dominic J. Williams, Takeisha D. Wilson, Ashley DeAnne Wonders, Jared T. Wozniak

Martinsburg – Suzy Lynette Kelly

McConnellstown – Rebecca Lynne Wennick

McVeytown – Macy Jo Fisher

Mineral Point – Taylor R. Donoughe, Ian William Dreikorn, James M. Eckenrode, Lisa Ann Hagerich, Shawnda Katherine Major, Brittany Lynne Snedden, Stephanie Marie Young, Tiffany Marie Young

Mount Union – Ethan Neal Clemens, Kendra Marie Holderman, John Edward Mitchell, Apryl Janette Wakefield

Nanty Glo – Dustin Andrew Carney, Kristin Marie Cunningham, Amanda J. Hill, David John Kivisto, Kiyla Dawn Miller, Monica Lynn Mulato, Chad Daniel Noel, Amanda Sue Rosenbaum

New Florence – Lucas J. Cramer, Michael A. Weir

Nicktown – Krista Marie Benamati

Northern Cambria – Christopher Michael Bearer, Colby Noel Borlie, Janet M. Dravis, Elsie Mae Keith, Raché Kathleen Kirsch, Rocco F. Pompa, Amber D. Sharkey, Amanda Renee Shilling, Dani V. Sowolla, Marykay B. Stein

Orbisonia – Cassandra Thomas

Patton – Ty Thomas Forsythe, Melissa B. Nagle, Taylor James O’Hara, Samantha Frances Wilt

Portage – Apryle C. Ernest, Catherine E. George, Brittany R. Lee, Shellie Lee Mowery, Austin Michael Rodgers, Zachary Michael Stair, Tyler James Troxel, Ashley Lyn Young

Revloc – Amanda Jean Eckenrod, Michael A. Viveros, Robert R. Yahnert

Rockwood – Melissa Ann Sager, Heather Suzann Struble

Saint Michae l- Lindsey Marie Michalides

Salisbury – Mariah Dawn Hillegas

Salix – Amanda L. Haig, Robert M. Hritz, Kevin Dean Locher, Brittnie Lynn Piemonte, Kaitlyn Jo Roxby

Saltillo – Becca Mae Booher

Sidman – Julia Michelle Barton, Devin Michael Spicher

Somerset – Michael Allen Benford, Danielle Dawn Close, Joanne Marie Rugg, Marlene L. Shaulis, John Douglas Wendel

South Fork – Joy A. Bailey, Zachary Paul Gossard, Daniel Eric Johnson, William A. Lewis, Kati Lynne Moss, Alicia Alynn Wolfhope

Spruce Creek – Lauren Ashley Shearer

St. Michael – Danielle Nicole Middleton, Jeffrey Lynn Zalar

Stoystown – Bradley Dean Russian, Melanie Verdean Slaughter

Strongstown – Audrey Anna Mottin

Summerhill – Tracy Lynn Chuckalovcak, Casey Ann Haberl, Rachel Christine Konsavich, Dylan T. McCall, Megan A. Neff, Emily Joan Smay

Three Springs – McKenzie Renee Wilson

Tire Hill – Kaitlyn Marie Bridges

Vintondale – Kieshia Diandra Mattox

Westover – Briana Michelle Franklin

Windber – Kimberly M. Allison, Randy Lee Anderson, Shannon Marie Benn, Sarah Jane Berkey, Amanda Lynn Blough, Laiken M. Burkett, Paula L. Byrne, Leah Elizabeth Chaderwick, Michael Andrew Christie, Susan Kathleen Csikos, Annabella Carrin Eckenrode, Joseph T. Forish, Lisa M. Gathagan, Justin P. Gearty, Julie A. Gordon, Travis W. Gutshall, Melissa L. Haslam, Cindy Marie Horner, Connor J. Howard, Kara Rose Izing, Mark C. Kush, Robert Patrick Lehman, Beth Ann Lushko, Todd Michael Momberger, Trevor Daniel Neri, Kelsey Lynn Newcomer, Denise M. Papcunik, Matthew Zachary Papinchak, Jennifer L. Sabourin, Michael Robert Smith, Stephanie Marie Studinary, Michael Jason Sullivan

ACE Program receives National (NACEP) Accreditation

The National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) recently granted Pennsylvania Highlands Community College national accreditation for its Accelerated College Education (ACE) concurrent enrollment program. Through the College’s ACE Program high school students are able to take college-credit-bearing courses taught by college-approved high school teachers. Penn Highlands is one of only two colleges in the state that has earned this accreditation, which ensures that the courses offered in high schools are equivalent to courses offered on the sponsoring college’s campus or facilities.

“NACEP accreditation certifies that Pennsylvania Highlands is offering a solid college-level experience in the high schools,” said College President Dr. Walter Asonevich. “The students are earning college credit for college level work.”

The process for achieving accreditation is quite rigorous and includes a self-study, verification that the college is adhering to NACEP’s seventeen standards, and a peer review. “College-to-high school faculty collaboration has been the key component in ensuring that the program was worthy of accreditation,” said Dean of School Partnerships Dr. Melissa Murray. “Over the past four years, Pennsylvania Highlands’ leadership has demonstrated its institutional commitment to our students, the ACE Program, and NACEP standards by providing the necessary resources.”

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College ACE Program has far reaching impact, serving students in the Southern Alleghenies region and beyond. “We currently partner with 56 school districts throughout the commonwealth and have seen our enrollment grow from 275 students in our first year to a high of 1,700 students in 2012,” said Dr. Murray.

Dr. Asonevich was instrumental in introducing the College to the NACEP model and his experience with concurrent enrollment was a catalyst for the ACE Program’s growth and success. Asonevich believes that the standards set by the institution and the partnerships between college and high school faculty are the most vital elements of the program. “A college campus is not the critical ingredient to what determines whether an education experience is college-level; the critical ingredient is met and measured by the learning outcomes,” he said. Our students are receiving a solid college-level education whether they attend classes on our campus, or in any of the more than 50 high schools where we offer NACEP accredited dual enrollment courses.”

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The College has its main campus in Richland with other locations in Altoona, Ebensburg, Huntingdon, and Somerset.

PTK announces Spring 2014 Induction Class

The Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce their Spring 2014 Induction Class. With this class, Beta Epsilon Omega inducted thirty-seven new members into the prestigious international honor society.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of the two-year college. The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.

The thirty-seven new inductees are:

Altoona: Jada Oswald

Beaverdale: Sara Borelle

Carrolltown: Justin Biter

Chambersburg: Mark Kring

Cresson: Bridget George, Marsue Glenn, Ashley Wray

Ebensburg: Corey Hoover

Elmora: Brenda Shaffer

Hollidaysburg: Alyssa Harris, Sydney Stoy

Hollsopple: Antony Direnzo

Jenners: Jennifer Leskovich

Johnstown: Cassidy Belle, Danielle Fabina, Sarah Freidhoff, Melania Jefferson, David Micik, Emily Potter, Alyssa Pudliner, Jeannette Rovder, Amanda Sauro, Josette Villecco, Desiree Walker, Kaitlin Wyatt

Mineral Point: Shawnda Major

Nanty Glo: Monica Mulato

Northern Cambria: Janet Dravis

Patton: Taylor O’Hara

Portage: Zachary Stair

Rockwood: Melissa Sager

Salisbury: Mariah Hillegas

Sidman: Julia Barton

Somerset: Marlene Shaulis

Summerhill: Chelsea Wess

Windber: Kimberly Allison, Robert Lehman

Local High School Students earn full-tuition Scholarship

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate the outstanding work of the area high school students that were awarded the College’s Board Academic Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to up to twenty local students that have shown a commitment to excellence inside and outside of the classroom..

The Board Academic Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship to attend Pennsylvania Highlands that is awarded annually to outstanding students throughout the six-county Southern Alleghenies Region (Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset). To be eligible, awardees must be high school seniors, maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5, be recognized as good citizens of their high school community, write an essay, complete all placement testing, and complete proper documentation.

Pennsylvania Highlands would like to honor those who will receive 2014 Board Academic Scholarship:

• Carrie A. Post of Johnstown, PA (Bishop McCort High School)
• Rebecca L. Rager of Nanty Glo, PA (Blacklick Valley High School)
• Kate L. Goldian of Nanty Glo, PA (Blacklick Valley High School)
• Isaac B. Lane of Carrolltown, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Nicole M. Myers of Roaring Springs, PA (Central High School)
• Jenna M. Telenko of Jerome, PA (Conemaugh Township High School)
• Vincent L. Reynolds of Johnstown, PA (Ferndale Area High School)
• Madison M. Kundrod of Saint Michael, PA (Forest Hills High School)
• Alexandria A. George of Beaverdale, PA (Forest Hills High School)
• Selena M. Blough of Johnstown, PA (Greater Johnstown High School)
• Charles R. Sidor III of Johnstown, PA (Greater Johnstown High School)
• Tasha L. Deyarmin of Northern Cambria, PA (Northern Cambria High School)
• Audra M. Britton of Nicktown, PA (Northern Cambria High School)
• Amanda R. Bruce of Dysart, PA (Penn Cambria High School)
• Kylie A. Garrett of Lilly, PA (Penn Cambria High School)
• Kayla M. Gaudlip of Portage, PA (Portage Area High School)
• Ryan J. Santichen of Johnstown, PA (Richland Senior High School)
• Alexis L. Graham of Windber, PA (Windber Area High School)

College VP delivers Committee Testimony on College and Student Debt

Edward C. (Ted) Nichols, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, testified before the Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee on Tuesday, March 25th, at Juniata College. The hearing focused on expanding access to college and keeping student debt low.

Dr. Nichols discussed Pennsylvania Highlands’ mission of providing quality, affordable education and workforce training in the six-county Southern Allegheny region. He cited the College’s ultra-lean administrative structure, efficiently structured outreach centers, use of online and hybrid coursework to reduce student travel, the College’s “borrow wisely” campaign, and credit partnerships with high schools and transfer institutions.

The Majority Policy Committee is the main legislative policy development arm of the House Republican Caucus, providing a broad array of research and foundational information regarding legislative policy. The Committee is chaired by Chairman Dave Reed (R-Indiana). For more information, visit http://www.pagoppolicy.com.