Students Excel In Growing Honors Program
Posted October 26, 2023 at 10:06 amThe Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Honors Program graduated its second class of members during the College’s most recent Commencement ceremony in May, and now Penn Highlands and the program’s advisors hope to continue the program’s positive trend as it enters year three.
The Honors Program’s Class of 2023 included four members, all of whom were the first to complete the full curriculum, which included presenting a Capstone Project to multiple members of the College’s Board of Trustees, the Foundation Board of Directors, and the College’s Cabinet.
“The Honors Program has been a wonderful opportunity for both the faculty and students to challenge themselves and explore new and different areas of study,” stated Sandy Schrum, Honors Program Director. “It has been exciting to see the enthusiasm, dedication, and confidence of the students in the program when they explore and ultimately complete projects.”
Brianna Pavkovich (Rockwood, PA) credits much of her success to her completion of the College’s Honors Program. In April, she presented her capstone on the use of medicinal herbs. Subsequently in May, she graduated with an associate degree and then worked as a mechanic for airplanes housed at Pittsburgh International Airport.
Pavkovich’s educational foundation helped her secure a position with Saint Francis University, where she will now create and direct a curriculum for the Aviation Maintenance Technician Program.
“The Honors Program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College was an integral part of my success,” Pavkovich stated. “Presenting my capstone project in front of board members and watching others was stressful, but those two hours were worth a lifetime of experience. I was able to walk into my interview at Saint Francis with absolute confidence. The experience that the Honors Program provides is invaluable, and every student that is offered the chance to become an Honor Student should take it.”
To become a member of the Honors Program, students must complete an application process, reach the requirements of a 3.5 GPA, be a full-time student within a college program, and complete 10 service hours per semester.
Upon acceptance, a student will have to add four more credits (two classes) to their schedule and academically enhance three courses already on their schedule.
Photo of Brianna Pavkovich presenting her capstone project in the College’s Honors Program (Richland Campus, April 2023).