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College awarded 2014 Military Friendly Schools® Designation

Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has named Pennsylvania Highlands Community College the coveted Military Friendly Schools® list. The 2014 Military Friendly Schools® list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

“Pennsylvania Highlands is proud to be serving over 60 military service members, veterans and their families this year,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, College President. “We are excited to receive this recognition and remain dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment for these students.”

“Inclusion on the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools® shows Pennsylvania Highlands Community College commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, Vice President at Victory Media and a nine-year Navy veteran. “The need for education is growing and our mission is to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools.”

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 1,868 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience. These schools have world-class programs and policies for student support on campus, academic accreditation, credit policies, flexibility and other services to those who served.

Now in its fifth year, the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools ® was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 10,000 schools nationwide approved for VA tuition funding. The survey results that comprise the 2014 list were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media. Each year schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved methodology, criteria and weightings developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from schools across the country.

A full story and detailed list of 2014 Military Friendly Schools® will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools ®, distributed in print and digital format to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October.

Dr. Robert Clark appointed to Assistant Professor position

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Robert M. Clark to the position of Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences. This position is both full-time and tenure-track based.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Clark was both an Instructor and Lecturer for Pennsylvania Highlands in the Criminal Justice department from Spring 2011 through Spring 2013, while also serving as department lead. He currently serves as Curriculum Committee Chair for the College. Before teaching at Pennsylvania Highlands, Dr. Clark taught undergraduate-level courses as a Visiting Assistant Professor at St. Francis University (Depts. of Sociology/Criminal Justice and Social Work), and as a full-time/temporary Instructor at California University of Pennsylvania (Dept. of Justice, Law and Society). He also teaches graduate-level courses in leadership for Duquesne University’s School of Leadership and Professional Advancement.

Before teaching, Dr. Clark worked exclusively in county government-level social services and the court system in three states as a supervisor, trainer, county multi-disciplinary team co-coordinator, and forensic interviewer. His primary focus was working with individuals in the juvenile justice system as well as adults in the victim services system, which included those in court-supervised probation, substance abuse treatment, child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault cases. Along with law enforcement and county prosecutors, Dr. Clark conducted forensic interviewing of victims and alleged perpetrators in preparation for court, as well as participated in court-record reviews, judicial and District Attorney conferences, depositions, court-testifying and helped write various court documents, juvenile compromises, and victim impact statements. Additionally, he has over 700 hours of certified training, as well as direct professional experience and expertise in the areas of child abuse and neglect crime, sex crimes and analysis, PTSD, adult victim services, and crimes codes associated within these specific areas.

Robert earned his Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership Studies (concentration in sociology, political science, leadership and economics), an M.A. in Sociology (concentration in human services with a substance abuse focus) and a B.A. in Sociology (Applied Social Research track), all from Indiana University of Pennsylvania

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Heather Jo Eckels joins Lady Black Bears as new Head Coach

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is happy to announce that Heather Jo Eckels will join the Lady Black Bears as the Head Coach of the women’s volleyball team.

Eckels graduated from Altoona Area High School in 1995, then went on to obtain her Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Government and Public Service with an interdisciplinary minor in Management. After a year of working for the Blair County District Attorney’s Office as a Victim/Witness Advocate, Eckels again attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she earned her Master of Arts degree in History.

Eckels has been an Instructor of history at Penn State Altoona for the past five years and is also employed by the Altoona Area School District as a Pennsylvania Literacy Corps Coordinator. In addition, Eckels works as a PIAA official for both volleyball and softball.

She began her collegiate career at Penn State Altoona where she played volleyball for two seasons. Eckels served as the Penn State Altoona Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach during the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Grand Opening for Blair Center to be held on July 31

After months of anticipation, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is announcing the grand opening of the College’s Blair Center. Community members will be able to tour the state-of-the-art, multi-classroom facility in the Logan Valley Mall, next to Macy’s, at a Grand Opening on Wednesday, July 31st, from 2pm – 6pm. College President Dr. Walter Asonevich and members of the faculty and staff will be on-hand to greet and meet with visitors.

The Grand Opening will include refreshments, give-a-ways and a live broadcast with Hot 100. In addition to touring, perspective students can speak with both admissions counselors and financial aid staff. Potential students can even win an iPAD Mini; all they must do to enter is complete the application process for the fall semester.

Pennsylvania Highlands offers over 30 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs in a variety of flexible formats (daytime, evening, and online courses). Please join us as we celebrate the opening of our Blair Center.

For additional information, please contact the College’s Blair Center at 814-201-2700 or blair@pennhighlands.edu.

College nationally recognized for Affordability

The U.S. Department of Education is recognizing Pennsylvania Highlands Community College for its strength in affordability. According to a study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, Penn Highlands ranks 28^th in the nation in for lowest net price of two-year public institutions and first in this category for two-year public institutions in the state of Pennsylvania. The data included was from the 2010-2011 academic year.

The calculation for net price includes a combination of tuition, fees, and text book costs for students, minus grants and scholarships received. For the 2010-2011 academic year, 68% of Penn Highlands’ students qualified for and received federal, state, or local aid and/or scholarships.

“This recognition is a testament to our Financial Aid department’s diligence in serving our students and our institutions commitment to providing an affordable education,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, College President. “We recognize that our responsibility to these students goes beyond the classroom and that their futures can be positively impacted by keeping down the level of debt incurred in the pursuit of a college education.”

Pennsylvania Highlands serves approximately 2,000 students annually from its various locations in Cambria, Somerset, Huntingdon, and Blair Counties.