Trustee named Recipient of Northeast Regional Trustee Leadership Award
Posted August 18, 2014 at 11:12 am
Retired Cambria County businessman and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Trustee, Mr. Joseph Mangarella, has been 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. As the Regional Award Recipient, Mr. Mangarella will be the sole nominee from the Northeast region for the prestigious M. Dale Ensign Trustee Leadership Award.
“Joe Mangarella epitomizes what a College trustee should be,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands. “He is intently committed to our efforts and works diligently to understand his role as a Trustee and act in the best interest of our students and community.”
Mr. Mangarella has been a Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Trustee since its inception in 1994 and has served as a member of its Foundation Board during that time. He and his wife Joan 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.
“I think the best part of being a Trustee over these past 20 years is seeing how the College truly impacts lives,” said Mangarella. “Without this College, many students would not have had the opportunity to continue their education. I feel blessed to be a part of that and will continue to serve the College as long as I can.”
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States and beyond.
“Community colleges have taken on new roles and increased responsibilities in recent years,” said ACCT Chair and Westchester County Community College (N.Y.) Trustee LeRoy W. Mitchell. “The individuals who have been selected to receive this important recognition are truly vital to their communities and regions.”
Mr. Mangarella will receive his award during the 45th Annual ACCT Leadership Congress, which will take place in Chicago, Illinois, and noted that he will accept his award on behalf of his fellow Pennsylvania Highlands Trustees and Trustees across the country. “I am proud to be associated with a group of people who are extremely committed to community colleges,” he said. “There may be many others that are equally as deserving, I will accept the award for all those folks also.”