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  • Criminal Justice Training Center Formed Through Multiple Partnerships

    Posted August 7, 2023 at 11:48 am

    Pennsylvania Highlands officials, along with representatives from the Cambria County Prison, Laurel Highlands Region Police Crisis Intervention Team, and Cambria County Coroner’s Office, signed multiple local partnerships this morning, officially establishing the formation of the Criminal Justice Training Center.

    The Criminal Justice Training Center serves as a hub for five different areas of the criminal justice field, including two stemming from Penn Highlands with the Police Academy and Use of Force Simulator, as well as classes and seminars for the three other groups: Cambria County Prison, Laurel Highlands Region Police Crisis Intervention Team, and Cambria County Coroner’s Office.

    “Penn Highlands has embraced an opportunity to provide quality, well-rounded training for criminal justice professionals in law enforcement, corrections, and first responders,” stated Dennis Miller, Pennsylvania Highlands Police Academy Director. “We’re excited to expand opportunities for all of our first responders to prepare and equip practitioners to better serve our communities.”

    The Police Academy will serve as the flagship component of the Training Center after being transferred to the College in late 2021. The Academy’s inaugural class, consisting of 11 cadets, will graduate during a ceremony this September after completing 919 total hours of training spanning over the last 11 months.

    The Use of Force Simulator, which will be utilized by multiple groups, consists of approximately 800 real-life scenarios where officers are tested on their responses to given situations. The Cambria County Prison Basic Correctional Officers Certification will bring in recruits to attend sessions at Penn Highlands.

    Both training aspects were also added within the last two years.

    “At the prison, we’ve had a longstanding internship partnership with Penn Highlands that has been successful for many years,” stated Craig Descavish, Cambria County Prison Deputy Warden. “We’re excited about enhancing that partnership, as well as enhancing the training opportunities for our officers and cadets both at the prison and at the Penn Highlands facility.”

    The Laurel Highlands Region Police Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is an innovative program of police-based crisis intervention involving community health care and advocacy partnerships based on a nationally recognized model developed by the Memphis (Tenn.) Police Department.

    Under this model, police officers, first responders, probation/parole officers, and correctional officers receive extensive training provided by community mental health professionals, family and consumer advocates, and experts in related fields in responding to citizens experiencing a behavioral crisis. The emphasis is on mental health knowledge, crisis resolution skills, and access to community services.

    “The Laurel Highlands Region Police Crisis Intervention Team is honored to be a part of Penn Highlands Community College and the Criminal Justice Training Center,” stated Daniel Marguccio, CIT Program Coordinator. “We’ve been using the college for the past 12 years to train law enforcement, mental health professionals, and first responders in de-escalation skills, which will assist the community. We hope to continue this partnership.”

    Penn Highlands has been housing the County Coroners Training Symposium for the previous 10 years. Each May, Coroners from across Pennsylvania are trained and educated on current events and emerging trends, as they relate to situations such as the handling of subpoenas, death certificates, criminal investigations, mass fatalities, coroner inquests, partnerships with law enforcement agencies, and positive relationships with the media.

    “We are proud to enter the partnership with the Criminal Justice Training Center here at Penn Highlands,” stated Joseph Hribar, Cambria County Deputy Coroner. “We’ve been working with the college for several years when hosting our annual coroner and law enforcement seminar. This gives us the extended opportunity to bring talented and informed speakers to Cambria County.”

    Discover the Training Center

  • Nine Athletes & Two Teams Make NJCAA All-Academic Honors List

    Posted July 25, 2023 at 10:00 am

    The National Junior College Athletic Association recently announced its 2022-23 All-Academic Teams, recognizing student-athletes from across the country for their dedication in the classroom.

    A total of 10,267 student-athletes have been honored for achieving a GPA above 3.60, including nine from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, with two reaching the mark in multiple sports. Two athletic teams from the College were also named an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year out of the 1,078 honored.

    Student-athletes who recorded a 4.0 GPA were named to the First Team. Second Team honors were given for a GPA between 3.80 and 3.99, while Third Team sits between 3.60 and 3.79. Teams that earned a 3.0 Combined GPA or higher were named to their respective list. The honorees from Penn Highlands include:

    First Team

    • Madison Bender (Freshman – Softball)
    • Jenna Serafin (Freshman – Softball)

    Second Team

    • Tatum Coyle (Freshman – Softball)
    • Julia Podrasky (Sophomore – Softball)

    Third Team

    • Emily Bittner (Sophomore – Volleyball)
    • Kylee Fabo (Sophomore – Softball and Volleyball)
    • Maciah Holsopple (Sophomore – Softball and Volleyball)
    • Madison Wirfel (Sophomore – Softball)
    • Joziah Wyatt-Taylor (Freshman – Men’s Basketball)

    Team Awards

    • Softball (3.31 Combined GPA)
    • Volleyball (3.07 Combined GPA)

    “I am so proud of these student-athletes who not only excel in their sports, but who juggle commuting to class, jobs, practices, and contests only to achieve success in the most important aspect of a student-athlete, the classroom,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities & Athletics. “These students are amazing and an asset to the college who will go out and do great things in their communities.”

    The Black Bear softball team was named an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year for the second time after having just two seasons of competition.

    Penn Highlands has now had a total of 74 student-athletes earn NJCAA All-Academic honors since athletics were reinstated at the College in 2010.

  • Abriel Ryan Signs Letter of Intent to Join Basketball Team at Penn Highlands

    Posted July 19, 2023 at 10:00 am

    East Stroudsburg North High School senior Abriel Ryan (Bushkill, Pa.) committed to join the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Men’s Basketball Team after signing his letter of intent at the College earlier this month.

    Ryan, a 6-foot, 145-pound guard, is set to pursue a degree in Business Management when he enrolls this coming Fall.

    “This feels great. I’ve always wanted to play college basketball,” Ryan said. “I’m glad that Penn Highlands is giving me this opportunity. I really liked the environment from when I first visited here. I can’t wait to get the process started.”

    Ryan hopes to bring his long-range offensive skillset to the Black Bears after finishing in the Top 10 of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPC) in three-point field goals made.

    He played in all 23 games this past winter for East Stroudsburg North, while scoring a season-high 20 points against Pocono Mountain West on Jan. 27. Ryan was voted Player of the Game twice during his senior season.

    “Abriel has proven to us to be a great young man,” Penn Highlands Men’s Basketball Coach Quan Britt said. “He is very respectable, which is the type of player we want within our program. We’re very glad he’s now a part of our family. We look forward to watching him grow as an athlete and as a student while helping us compete on the court.”

    Penn Highlands is coming off another successful season in 2022-2023. The Black Bears finished runner-up in the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference. Penn Highlands then advanced to the semifinal round of the Region 20 Tournament before dropping a 106-105 double-overtime contest to Butler County Community College, ending the campaign.

    Britt has six returning players from last year’s roster, giving new recruits like Ryan the opportunity to make an impact right away.

    “I’m willing to do anything this team needs to help make it better, whether it be on offense or defense,” Ryan said. “I watched a lot of film on the team, and I like the way they play. I Feel I can be a great piece to add to the roster. I’m very excited to get to know my teammates and coaches. I definitely see a bright future.”

    Abriel Ryan, front, poses for a photo with Pennsylvania Highlands Athletic Director Sue Brugh and Volunteer Assistant Basketball Coach Ben Mostoller after signing his Letter of Intent to join the Men’s Basketball Team.

  • College Foundation Donates $54,400 to Scholarship Fund

    Posted July 12, 2023 at 10:17 am

    The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation presented Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, and members of his Cabinet with a check for $54,400 prior to a Foundation Board meeting held at the College on Wednesday morning.

    The donation is slated to fund the “Supporting Scholars” program, which grants more than 32 academic scholarships annually.

    “We are aiming to attract some of the best and brightest students from local high schools where they will earn an affordable, accessible, and quality education here at Penn Highlands,” stated Dr. Nunez. “It is very generous for the Penn Highlands Foundation, made up entirely of volunteers, to spend their time raising money to support this scholarship program. We are really blessed to have such dedicated Directors of the Foundation Board.”

    This donation will be spread amongst three scholarships to be awarded to at least 16 high school seniors. The awards include the Destination Graduation Scholarship ($1,000 per semester to a minimum of one student annually), the Emerging Leader Scholarship ($1,000 per semester to 13 students annually), and the Presidential Scholarship ($3,000 per semester to two students annually). Details on these scholarships can be found at pennhighlands.edu/scholarships/.

    “We’re very pleased that we were able to make this significant donation as a result of all of our fundraising activities over the years that helped the College fulfill its mission,” stated Jeffrey Wood, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation Board President. “There were a lot of events and a lot of reaching out to friends of the College, including receiving a generous donation from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (NAIFA Fund). We’re very passionate about the whole community college concept, so we want to give students the best possible opportunity to start off their educational careers with as little debt as possible.”

    This marks the first time that the College Foundation will have fundraised money to be used in the College’s scholarship funds. Before this donation, Pennsylvania Highlands had provided students with these scholarships out of its annual operating expense budget.

    The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation also manages funds for 21 other scholarships totaling over $30,000 annually to students. These scholarships are funded by local businesses, area philanthropists, Pennsylvania Highlands staff and faculty, and Foundation fundraisers.

    Learn how to donate.

  • Faculty Members Earn Promotion & Tenure

    Posted July 6, 2023 at 8:05 am

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has promoted two faculty members and granted tenure to one faculty member who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in teaching, advising, professional development, and service to the college and the community.

    Their work with students is exemplary and serves as an inspiration to students and colleagues alike. The new status of each faculty member will become effective in August 2023.

    “The Penn Highlands’ faculty demonstrates their commitment to student success by working with students in and out of the classroom,” stated Dr. Cynthia Doherty, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “They help students by creating an engaging classroom environment and support materials to help them navigate their classes. They are also actively engaged in their communities. We are proud of the quality of the faculty at Penn Highlands.”

    Eligible faculty members undergo a rigorous application and review process that assesses their effectiveness in full-time teaching/advising and service to Penn Highlands, the community, and professional development.

    FACULTY EARNING ADVANCEMENT IN RANK:

    • Wayde Simington from Instructor to Assistant Professor, Mathematics. Simington began his full-time career teaching mathematics courses at Pennsylvania Highlands in January 2019. Prior to that, he served as an adjunct instructor for the College. Simington has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently working on completing a Master of Science in Mathematics through Emporia State University.
    • Dr. Matthew Sisak from Associate Professor to Professor, Biological Sciences. Dr. Sisak began his career as a full-time instructor in January 2014. He is President of Sisak Chiropractic Clinic, P.C., and has taught as an adjunct at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and Westmoreland County Community College, teaching Anatomy and Physiology courses. Dr. Sisak has a Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic.

    FACULTY EARNING TENURE:

    • Morgan Dugan, Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education. Dugan began her career teaching Early Childhood Education courses at Pennsylvania Highlands in August 2018. Prior to that, she was employed at Greater Johnstown School District as an elementary teacher. Dugan has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a Master of Education from Saint Francis University.

    Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been serving the region since 1994 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.