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PA Community Colleges respond to Governor’s Budget Proposal

Pennsylvania’s community college leaders are concerned about the impact of static levels of state support for the colleges given their important role in the Commonwealth’s education and workforce development systems. Governor Corbett’s proposed 2014-15 Budget recommends level operational funding for the Commonwealth’s community colleges. This funding recommendation is equal to the amount the colleges have received in each of the preceding three fiscal years.

The colleges collectively asked for increases in operational and capital funding from the state to support and expand programs for Pennsylvanians who are seeking an affordable pathway to a degree or skills to enter the workforce.

“Pennsylvania Highlands has made great strides in providing access to affordable, quality higher education opportunities in West Central Pennsylvania with campuses and academic centers in Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon, and Somerset counties,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “We are concerned that shrinking government support for our operations will prohibit our ability to provide cost-effective options for post-secondary students and reach further into unserved and underserved areas of Central Pennsylvania.”

Asonevich and his colleagues from across the state are concerned that it will be difficult for the colleges to limit tuition increases and make needed investments to ensure program quality and alignment with developing workforce needs, including programs linked to the natural gas and healthcare industries.

“Community colleges train the workforce that supports Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Elizabeth Bolden, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, the nonprofit entity that represents the interests of the state’s 14 community colleges. “Additional investments in the colleges are necessary to enable them to develop and offer cost-effective workforce training programs to meet existing and emerging industry needs.”

Last year, Pennsylvania’s community colleges partnered with employers and others to provide customized training for nearly 50,000 Pennsylvania workers.

“The colleges are hopeful that as budget discussions evolve, the General Assembly will ultimately pass a budget that recognizes the vital role of community colleges in sustaining and accelerating the Commonwealth’s economic recovery,” Bolden said.

Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges serve students from every county in the state. The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges is a voluntary membership association for Pennsylvania’s community colleges. Its members include the college presidents, members of the colleges’ boards of trustees, and key college administrators. The Commission represents the interests of and advocates for the collective needs of the community colleges to federal and state policymakers.

College adds three Full-Time Faculty Members to Family

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to welcome three new full-time faculty members to its growing family.

Robin Hughes joins the team as Instructor of Mathematics. Ms. Hughes is currently the temporary Lecturer, Mathematics at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and has also taught as an adjunct at Kent State University, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She has a B.S. in Actuarial and Applied Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh, a M.B.A. from St. Francis College, and a M.Ed. from Kent State College.

Dr. Russell Newman joins the team as Assistant Professor of English. Dr. Newman comes to us as a freelance author and editor at Online Indiana and has taught as an adjunct at several universities in the area such as University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Clarion University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Mount Aloysius College, and Penn State University – Altoona and Dubois. He has a B.A. and M.A. in English from James Madison University, and a Ph.D. in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Matthew Sisak joins the team as Instructor of Biology. Dr. Sisak is President of Sisak Chiropractic Clinic, P.C. and has taught as an adjunct at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and Westmoreland County Community College. He has a B.S. in Natural Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic.

PTK announces Fall 2013 Induction Class

The Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce their Fall 2013 Induction Class. With this class, Beta Epsilon Omega inducted seventeen 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 seventeen new inductees are:

Altoona: Robert Lynn

Ebensburg: Kimberly Lloyd, Chelsea Nelson

Friedens: Erikia Marek

Huntingdon: Katie Brenneman

Jerome: Bethany George

Johnstown: Jennifer Biggs, Laura Eidem, Hunter Furman, Brittany Szczepanik, Hannah Walter

Ligonier: Hannah Pelger

Mount Union: Kendra Holderman

Nanty Glo: Rebecca Yokitis

New Paris: Steve Domonkos

Spruce Creek: Lauren Shearer

Westover: Marissa Whited

Dean’s List for Fall 2013 announced

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2013 semester.

Altoona – Courtney Lee Hammaker, Shawn David Jenkins, Robert Lawrence Lynn, Jada M. Oswald, Andrew Quintero, Devan Taylor Smith, Jared Patrick Yahner

Armagh –Joseph M. Stauffer

Ashville – Courtny Lynn Lowery

Beaverdale – Sara Ann Borelle, Tashia Nicole Holdsworth, Brittany Lyn Nutkins

Bedford – Megan E. Waller

Berlin – Geneanne J. Fritz, Chad Darrel Goss, Hannah M. Leister

Boswell – Alexander Joseph Benincasso, Cassandra Marie Brocht, Angela Marie Naskali

Carrolltown – Justin Michael Biter

Cassandra – William Richard Noel

Central City – Stephanie M. Barnes, Marissa A. Corradini, Hannah Beth Frazier, Toni Renee Gibbons, Tara Elizabeth Kozlick

Clover –Brittany L. Blickenderfer, Lacey Rachelle Hill, Megan Renee Norris, Travis A. Sergent

Conemaugh – Tyler Zack Gregorchik

Cresson – Andrew James Eger, Bridget Theresa George, Gene Joseph Pietrowski, Ashley Rose Wray

Davidsville – Savannah Jennelle Cardinal, Ryan Thomas Oldham, Grant Lee Speigle, Jennifer C. Yoder

Duncansville – Abigail Grace Duman, Allison Nicole Recker

Dunlo – Luther T. Varljen

Dysart – Sydney K. Stoy

Ebensburg – Tammy Jo Dollar, Amanda L. Ferguson, Rachel Lin Gatto, Michaela Catherine Hanlon, Andrew E. Hollis, Corey Thomas Hoover, Kimberly Jo Lloyd, Chelsea Ann Nelson, Pamela J. O’Hara, Briana Elizabeth Platt, Amanda Sue Rosenbaum, Dennis J. Smolko, Ian Robert Sonafelt, Ashley M. Strom

Elmora – Michael A. Crimaldi, Corey Joseph Lane, Brenda A. Shaffer

Everett – Katlyn M. Diehl

Flinton – Anthony Joseph Reed

Friedens – Lisa D. Groman, Erikia Lynn Marek

Hastings – Mckenna Raeann Getsy

Hesston – Jessica Dawn Reffner

Hollidaysburg – Alyssa Dena Harris, Logan Allen Leuteneger, Scott Brian Podgorney

Hollsopple – Antony M. Direnzo, Phyllis Maria Fulmer, Lucas T. Spengler, Karen L. Steel

Hooversville – Kristen A. Moyer

Imer – Cole Thomas Lafferty

Jenners – Jennifer Renee Leskovich

Jennerstown – Amy R. Schmidt

Johnstown – Joseph H. Asel, Gordon Paul Barr, Shawn David Beam, Clinton S. Belcher, Cassidy Nicole Belle, Jennifer Biggs, Bonnie J. Borrini, Amanda Beth Bowes, Eric Michael Bozich, Justin Francis Capouellez, Earl R. Carnahan, Edward S. Chernay, David Brice Chuklochak, Jennifer M. Claycomb, Thomas Anthony Cogis, Alyssa Marie Collier, Sierra Marie Conahan, Ryan T. Dabbs, Jodi Lynn Daughenbaugh, Steve B. Domonkos, Marc Alan Doulon, Michael Patrick Duffy, Lynn A. Eash, Laura Katherine Eidem, Danielle Marie Fabina, Lynette Faye Faight, Vicki L. Foor, Cathryn Ann Foust, Darin D. Frankofsky, Sarah Elizabeth Freidhoff, Hunter Edward Furman, Stephanie Rose Furnari, Alanna Marie Geisel, Lacie L. George, Jason L. Giebfried, Alexander Scott Goch, Charles Edward Goggin, Isaac Benjamin Goss, Kara Mae Graham, Kayleigh Ann Grove, Cristy Jean Haberkorn, Charmane Lorraine Hackworth, John M. Haigh, Michael J. Hall, Brandi L. Hammers, Kayla Marie Hardison, Cory Michael Hartland, Kinsey Leelyn Havener, Carri A. Hearn, William Bruce Allen Hearn, Aaron Hochstein, Shawn Michael Horvath, Jennifer Lynn Hrivnak, Susan G. Hunt, Katherine Jean Instone, Brian Keith Kauffman, Assaad Khalil, Charles Douglas Kleman, Mark C. Kush, Leesha Christine Lavash, Robert Patrick Lehman, Elizabeth Marie Mahoney, Maxine Marie Mains, Kayli Marie Mangus, Angela Marie Margucci, Desarae Brooke Margucci, Cynthia May, Karen A. McAleer, Richard Earl McCaulley, Amanda M. McGlynn, David Michael Micik, Morgan Marie Miller, Allison Jean Minemyer, Edgar Ricardo Montero, Michelle G. Moore, Kellie Marie Moses, Curtis W. Myers, Mark Nathaniel, Lauren M. Natta, Amy M. Oliveros, Francine Olshewsky, William Charles Olson, Anthony A. Oravec, Samantha Lee Orlando, Nicole Marie Paonessa, Randy John Penrod, Jennifer L. Percinsky, Joe J. Pipon, Alyse C. Pollard, Emily Jane Potter, Alyssa Kylee Pudliner, Justin S. Ramsdorfer, Gretchen Rosanne Rauch, Jennifer Nicole Reed, Zachary W. Reese, Alexander Roth Roberts, Jill Renee Rokita, Shane Michael Rovansek, Jeannette Marie Rovder, Ryan Charles Rovida, Amanda Lea Sauro, Mark Allen Sauro, Cody A. Sedei, David W. Seth, Michael Joseph Shaffer, Shannon L. Shaffer, Noah Scott Shorto, William Paul Sievers, Korbi L. Slocum, Beau A. Soberdash, David Paul Stem, Renee L. Stibich, Raymond D. Stockley, Sandra M. Stopko, Nicholas Gabriel Sycz, Lindsey Marie Thomas, William Russell Tomb, Todd E. Vermileon, Josette M. Villecco, Desiree Marie Walker, Alesa L. Weslager, Kurstin Nicole Whorl, Dominic J. Williams, Ashley DeAnne Wonders, Jared T. Wozniak, Kaitlin Nicole Wyatt, Stacey M. Zometsky

Lilly – Nicole Marie Logan, Sean T. Riggleman

Loretto – Aaron J. King

Mineral Point – Ian R. Burkey, Taylor R. Donoughe, Morgan Rochelle Hagerich, Shawnda Katherine Major, Brittany Lynne Snedden, Stephanie Marie Young

Mount Union – Ethan Neal Clemens, Christopher James Hollibaugh, Victoria Lee Miller, Alexandra Lynn Querry

Nanty Glo – Mallory N. Barr, Dustin Andrew Carney, Kristin Marie Cunningham, Victoria Rose Dunchuck, Amanda J. Hill, David John Kivisto, Gerald S. McDermott, Kiyla Dawn Miller, Monica Lynn Mulato, Cody Jon Sanderson, Rebecca Anne Yokitis

New Paris – Jarica R. Seese

Nicktown – Krista Marie Benamati

Northern Cambria – Colby Noel Borlie, Janet M. Dravis, Kayla E. Duriez, Elsie Mae Keith, Raché Kathleen Kirsch, Olivia C. Lauren, Cassandra L. Pastirko, Amber D. Sharkey, Amanda Renee Shilling, Jamie Lynn Treese

Osceola Mills – Kelly Jo Shomo

Patton – Ty Thomas Forsythe, Melissa B. Nagle, Taylor James O’Hara, Brett Daniel Sammarco, Jennifer Michele Welchko

Portage – Autumn M. Crum, Apryle C. Ernest, Jaime L. Fillhart, Denise M. Fordick, Brittany R. Lee, Terry David Moyer, Zachary J. Niper, Benjamin Cade Pavlosky, Austin Michael Rodgers, Jonathan Michael Rusnak, Tarynn Leigh Rusnak, Benjamin J. Sendzik, Zachary Michael Stair, Tyler James Troxel, Ashley Lyn Young

Revloc – Amanda Jean Eckenrod, Michael A. Viveros

Rockwood – Melissa Ann Sager, Ray Wadsworth Wilhem III

Salisbury – Mariah Dawn Hillegas

Salix – Amanda Rae Custer, Amanda L. Haig, Robert M. Hritz, Alan James Naugle

Saltillo – Becca Mae Booher

Seward – Caron R. Chodrow

Shirleysburg – Shannon Marie Linn

Sidman – Julia Michelle Barton, Reyanah J. Shaw

Somerset – Michael Allen Benford, Danielle Dawn Close, Dustin Dale Close, Chris Ann Conti, Michele L. DuPont, Tiffany Nicole Gardner, Paige A. Gross, Michael Anthony Layton, Marlene L. Shaulis

South Fork – Joy A. Bailey, Krislyn Nichole Boyles, Stacey L. Chaney, Brittany Michael Fisher, Daniel Eric Johnson, William A. Lewis, Christopher Moss, Deon M. Natta, Margo Ann Pringle, Shawna Aleisha Ressler, Marcy A. Vasbinder, Alicia Alynn Wolfhope

Spruce Creek – Lauren Ashley Shearer

St. Michael – Kelly Lynn Sabo

Stoystown – Chelsey Lynn Baker, Cole J. Corbett

Strongstown – Audrey Anna Mottin, Breanna N. Rege

Summerhill –Tracy Lynn Chuckalovcak, Casey Ann Haberl, Ashley M. Kordish, Megan A. Neff, Emily Joan Smay, Chelsea Jordan Wess

Vintondale – Jordan Matthew Kupchella, Kieshia Diandra Mattox, Angela Rose Santacroce

Westover – Briana Michelle Franklin, Kaitlin Marie McConnell

Windber – Frank A. Adamczyk, Kimberly M. Allison, Randy Lee Anderson, Scott M. Beamer, Richard S. Campitell, Leah Elizabeth Chaderwick, Jacqueline E. Crum, Susan Kathleen Csikos, Annabella Carrin Eckenrode, Joseph T. Forish, Lisa M. Gathagan, Erika Jean Hampe, Cindy Marie Horner, Trevor Daniel Neri, Matthew Zachary Papinchak, Robert Ryan Ramirez, Tyler T. Sharpe, Jessica A. Way, Aileen Ann Weaver

PTK donates Socks to area Veterans

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recently started a donation project for two local area veterans’ facilities: Tomorrow’s Hope and The Hollidaysburg Veterans Home. This project, known as Socks For Veterans, began as part of PTK’s Honors In Action program, with the theme of “Veterans’ and Their Families.” The Socks For Veterans project is in collaboration with District 26 VFW and the Ladies’ Auxiliary, focusing on the collection of socks for area veterans.

Socks For Veterans began collecting on December 2^nd and will continue to collect throughout the month of December. The goal of the project is to collect over 400 pairs of socks for veterans. Recently, members of the College’s PTK Officers gathered to distribute the socks collected thus far.

More About Phi Theta Kappa: The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.