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IUP And Penn Highlands Sign Dual Admissions Agreement

Indiana University of Pennsylvania President Dr. Michael Driscoll and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College President Dr. Steve Nunez recently signed a dual admissions program agreement, designed to streamline the process for students who earn an associate degree at Penn Highlands to complete a bachelor’s degree program at IUP.

Under this agreement, students enrolled at Penn Highlands who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree at IUP will be given automatic acceptance to IUP, pending successful completion of all admissions requirements. No additional admissions application to IUP will be required for these students. The program provides a curriculum plan for students that is a seamless transition from associate to bachelor’s degree.

Students will also receive enhanced counseling, advising and transition support services from both institutions, and Penn Highlands students who have been accepted into this program will be given full access to IUP’s resources, including housing, dining, the Co-op, the IUP Libraries, and IUP activities and events.

“IUP has a renewed focus on initiatives that are student-centered,” stated Dr. Driscoll, Indiana University of Pennsylvania. “This dual admissions agreement is designed to help eliminate potential barriers, and to show students from Penn Highlands that they are full members of the IUP community, even before they begin their classes here. We value our ongoing partnership with Penn Highlands, and this dual admissions agreement is the right next step for our institutions and for the students that we serve.”

To qualify, students must be currently admitted and enrolled at Penn Highlands, maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 or the minimum grade point average required by the IUP program they have chosen, have earned less than 30 credit hours before applying for the dual admissions declaration, and plan to pursue both an associate degree and bachelor’s degree.

“The collaboration amongst regional partners to provide our communities greater access to higher education is paramount to a community college’s mission,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “This agreement highlights how the Penn Highlands and IUP communities can come together to create opportunities for success.”

Since 2015, more than 100 students from Penn Highlands have transferred to IUP to complete their academic studies.

(Article originated with Indiana University of Pennsylvania.)

Photo courtesy of IUP. Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, and Dr. Michael Driscoll, President of IUP, stand for a portrait with former Penn Highlands and current IUP students after signing a dual admission agreement on September 16, 2022.

Photo courtesy of IUP. Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, signs a dual admission agreement with IUP on September 16, 2022.

Photo courtesy of IUP. Dr. Michael Driscoll, President of IUP, signs a dual admission agreement with Penn Highlands Community College on September 16, 2022.

Photo courtesy of IUP. Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, and Dr. Michael Driscoll, President of IUP, stand for a portrait after signing a dual admission agreement on September 16, 2022.

About IUP
IUP offers more than 160 academic degree programs, including more than 50 graduate programs. In addition, its nearly 9,000 students can complete more than 65 minors – including a unique teamwork minor — and scores of specialized tracks and certificate programs, including certificates in athletic coaching, gerontology, photography and digital imaging, popular music, and public history. IUP continues to add state-of-the-art programs of study for its students. Its newest undergraduate majors are public health and environmental engineering, both in-demand careers in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. With the addition of a Ph.D. in business program, IUP offers 14 different doctoral degrees.

IUP has a longstanding commitment to research on all levels and in all disciplines. In 2021, IUP was selected as one of only two public universities in Pennsylvania and one of only 93 public universities in the United States selected for the “High Research Activity” designation by the Carnegie Classification of Higher Institutions of Higher Education. Visit IUP.edu for more information.

About Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has served over 60,000 community members throughout western Pennsylvania and beyond. Offering over 35 academic programs through seven unique academic pathways, Penn Highlands has the highest graduation rate of all community colleges in Pennsylvania. For more information, call 1.888.385.PEAK or visit pennh.25comm.com.

Area High School Students Earn 2022 Academic Scholarships

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate the outstanding work of the area high school students that were awarded a Penn Highlands Community College-Sponsored Academic Scholarship.

The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors in the region that demonstrate outstanding excellence in academics and extracurricular activities. Eligible students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 in their high school career, participate in various activities, and demonstrate outstanding leadership throughout their community.

Presidential Scholarship recipients receive $3,000 per semester to attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to complete an associate degree. Pennsylvania Highlands would like to honor those who have received the 2022 Presidential Scholarship:

• Kelly Hearn of Rockwood, PA (Rockwood Area High School)
• Trinity Stewart of Windber, PA (Windber Area High School)

The Emerging Leader Scholarship is awarded to high school seniors in the region that demonstrate excellence in academics and extracurricular activities. Eligible students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 in their high school career, participate in various activities, and demonstrate leadership throughout their community.

Emerging Leader Scholarship recipients receive $1,000 per semester to attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to complete an associate degree. Pennsylvania Highlands would like to honor those who have received the 2022 Emerging Leader Scholarship:

• Madison Bender of Ashville, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Quinn Charney of Windber, PA (Forest Hills Jr/Sr High School)
• Hannah Dadura of Johnstown, PA (Conemaugh Township Area High School)
• Carmella Fredo of Hastings, PA (Cambria Heights High School)
• Gianina Galli of Nanty Glo, PA (Central Cambria High School)
• Jesse James of Colver, PA (Central Cambria High School)
• Elijah Ketley of Hollsopple, PA (Conemaugh Township Area High School)
• Katie Long of Belsano, PA (Blacklick Valley Jr/Sr High School)
• Hannah Miller of Berlin, PA (Berlin Brothersvalley High School)
• Corinne Mowrer of Petersburg, PA (Juniata Valley High School)
• Matthew Rozum of Johnstown, PA (Forest Hills Jr/Sr High School)
• Hannah Tallion of Windber, PA (Windber Area High School)
• Nathan Wholaver of Hastings, PA (Cambria Heights High School)

College Partners With Thomas Automotive On Stackable Credential Pathway

A collaboration just announced between Thomas Automotive and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College provides a pathway for Thomas Automotive employees to strengthen their skills, knowledge, and career growth.

This pathway provides stackable credentials through credit classes offered at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Thomas Automotive employees must successfully complete six classes totaling 18 credits to earn the Thomas Business Certificate, which is provided by Thomas Automotive. These six classes include:

• Principles of Management
• Organizational Communication
• Principles of Accounting I
• Microcomputer Applications
• Business Math
• Interpersonal Communication

Thomas Automotive employees can start taking classes eligible for the Thomas Business Certificate beginning on October 17th, as part of Pennsylvania Highlands’ Fall 2 class schedule.

These six classes can be applied toward earning a certificate or degree at Pennsylvania Highlands. To earn a Business Management Certificate through Pennsylvania Highlands, Thomas Automotive employees would only have to complete two additional classes in the fields of business and English (an additional six credits).

Thomas Automotive employees who choose to continue towards an associate degree in Business Management would only need to complete an additional 40 credits of coursework.

“As a community college, Penn Highlands is always looking for creative and cost-effective ways for our workforce members to receive a top-tier education” stated Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services. “Thomas Automotive is investing in their current and future employees by engaging with the College to develop a framework for career growth that will have a lasting impact on their business and our communities.”

As a part of this partnership, Thomas Automotive has signed on to the Employer Tuition Discount Program that Pennsylvania Highlands Community College offers local business and industry. This program allows eligible business employees to receive a 5% discount on tuition for credit classes.

This collaboration with Thomas Automotive is just the beginning. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is ready to help all businesses in our area grow their workforce. Business and industry professionals interested in forming similar partnerships to build educational pathways for their organization may contact Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services, at 814.262.3841 or tcorle@pennh.25comm.com.

College To Sponsor 20th Annual Cambria County College Fair

The 20th Annual Cambria County College Fair, sponsored by Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, will be held on Tuesday, September 20th, at the College’s Richland Campus. This year’s College Fair will take place from 8:30 AM to 11 AM, with students attending from across the region.

The College Fair’s mission is to promote higher education and future opportunities to not only high school students and their families, but to the public as well. The Cambria County College Fair helps local community members find and discover the many educational and career opportunities that are right in their backyard.

Colleges and universities from all over the state of Pennsylvania will be on-hand to meet with and assist guests regarding their educational and career needs. With so many institutions attending, there is something for everyone: technical schools, business colleges, cosmetology schools and universities, branches of the military, banks, local businesses, and more.

We invite the community to stop by the Cambria County College Fair and learn about all the educational opportunities our region offers. The College Fair is happening on Tuesday, September 20th. Be a part of something special and help us promote this community event to make it a great success.

Faculty Members Earn Promotion And Tenure

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College recently promoted and granted tenure to select faculty members who have, over time, 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.

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:

• Dr. Robert Clark from Associate Professor to Professor, Criminal Justice and Social Sciences. Dr. Clark began his full-time teaching career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2011. He is a tenured professor for Pennsylvania Highlands and holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He also serves as an ACT 120 Certified Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officer, Certified Municipal Police Academy Instructor (MPOETC); ACT 235 Certified Lethal Weapons Instructor; Certified Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer for the Laurel Highlands Region; ILO (Intelligence Liaison Officer) through PaCIC, Certified Cybercrime Investigator (IFCI), and is a former Certified Diplomate Child Forensic Interviewer through the National Association of Child Forensic Interviewers.
• Ms. Laura Gaunt from Instructor to Assistant Professor, Health Care Professions. Ms. Gaunt began her full-time career with Pennsylvania Highlands in August of 2019. Prior to that, she worked as a staff nurse for 18 years and in nursing administration for two years. She teaches courses in Health Sciences. Ms. Gaunt is a graduate of the Conemaugh School of Nursing program and has a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh.
• Ms. Jill Mitchell from Associate Professor to Professor, Biological Sciences. Ms. Mitchell began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in January of 2010. She has served as the advisor of the College’s Biology Club, an ACE Faculty liaison, and lab manager. Ms. Mitchell has a M.A. in Science Education, Biology from Western Governors University, a B.S. in Biology Education, and a B.A. in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
• Ms. Michelle Myers from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor, Biological Sciences. Ms. Myers began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands as a full-time faculty member in August of 2014. Ms. Myers is the Sustainable Hydroponic Agriculture and Rural Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator and also teaches courses in Biology. She has a B.S. in Biology from Juniata College, and has a M.S. in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Faculty Earning Tenure:

• Ms. Melissa Boback, Associate Professor, Accounting. Ms. Boback began her career with Pennsylvania Highlands in January of 2017. She holds a M.S. in Accounting from the University of Phoenix, a B.S. in Accounting from Mount Aloysius College, and an A.S.B. in Accounting and Microcomputer Applications from Cambria-Rowe Business College.

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