Newsroom

Phi Theta Kappa Members give back to the Community

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College encourages each of its student clubs to participate in community service projects in an effort to give back to our community. The College’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is leading the charge in this area by reaching out to various groups throughout our region.

Recently, on October 27^th, Phi Theta Kappa provided and served a dinner to residents of Vine Street Towers. They then took the leftovers to the Women’s Help Center for them to provide to those in need. Phi Theta Kappa is also conducting a canned food drive to benefit the St. Vincent DePaul food pantry via St. Andrews Church.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society of two-year colleges. Phi Theta Kappa’s mission 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.

College awarded Military Friendly Schools Title ® from Victory Media, Inc.

Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has named Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to the coveted Military Friendly Schools ® list. The 2013 Military Friendly Schools ® list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

“Inclusion on the 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools ® shows Pennsylvania Highlands’ commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, Director for G.I. Jobs and Vice President at Victory Media. “As interest in education grows we’re thrilled to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools,” said Sean Collins.

“Pennsylvania Highlands is pleased to be recognized as a campus community that truly cares about helping veterans and their families with the transition to college life and accomplishing their educational mission,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, College President.

The Military Friendly Schools ® media and website features the list, interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences. The 1,739 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.

F.N.B. Corporation donates to the College Foundation’s EITC Program

Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College accepts a donation from Greg Winger, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for F.N.B. Corporation. The $5,333.30 Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program donation was given to help support the College’s Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program.

The ACE Program provides high school students in grades 9-12 with an opportunity to earn college credits while taking courses at their high school. The program served over 1,700 students during the 2011-12 academic year.

“We are thankful for the support of F.N.B. Corporation and truly appreciate their commitment to the youth of our community,” said Dr. Asonevich.

Dr. Zaborowski to receive Distinguished Alumni Award Honor

Congratulations to Dr. Barbara Zaborowski, the College’s Dean for Learning Resources and Special Assistant to the President, as she will be honored with the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Information Sciences.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to an alum who has demonstrated admirable service to the School of Information Services, had accomplishments in their professional and civic lives, and has shown strength in character. The criteria for the Distinguished Alumni Award include:

• contributions of special achievement within the fields of information science;
• volunteer service;
• professional accomplishments;
• recognition of achievements;
• commitment to the School of Information Science; and
• overall commitment to the University of Pittsburgh.

She will be receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award this October.

Five Faculty Members obtain Advancement in Rank and/or Tenure

Pennsylvania Highlands congratulates five faculty members on their recent accomplishments. Jeannine McDevitt and Matthew Slifko were awarded advancement in rank while William Wolff and Daniel Kerch were awarded tenure. Gaynelle Schmieder was awarded both advancement in rank and tenure.

Gaynelle Schmieder now holds the position of Assistant Professor, Health Care Professions, in addition to earning tenure. She began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in August of 2007. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Francis University and a Master of Education from Clarion University.

Jeannine McDevitt now holds the position of Associate Professor, English. She began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in August of 2002. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Seton Hill University and a Master of Arts in English Literature from Purdue University.

Matthew Slifko now holds the position of Assistant Professor, Mathematics. He began his career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in August of 2008. He has a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

William Wolff was recently awarded tenure and is an Associate Professor, Natural Sciences. He began his career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in August of 2006. He has a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Arts in Chemistry from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Daniel Kerch was recently awarded tenure and is an Assistant Professor, Accounting. He began his career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in December of 2006. He has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Penn State University and a Master of Business Administration from Mount Alyosius College.