As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Penn Highlands Community College recently received an additional 1.8 million dollars for direct student aid from the Higher Education Relief Fund III. To date, Penn Highlands has already awarded over $880,000 directly to students impacted by the pandemic during the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters.
Penn Highlands Community College will disperse the additional COVID-19 relief funding to enrolled students for the Summer 2021, Fall 2021, and Spring 2022 semesters.
All enrolled for-credit students are eligible for COVID-19 relief payments. No Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to receive the relief funds; however, students that show exceptional need based upon their FAFSA status will be prioritized. Special consideration will be awarded to Pell Grant eligible recipients in the overall funding formula, which will be calculated for each student.
All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA and contact the Penn Highlands Financial Aid Office to discuss how their current financial situation may or may not have changed due to the pandemic. These relief funds are designed for anyone who has put off their education due to a loss of income or insufficient childcare options as a direct result of the pandemic, to name a few.
“Penn Highlands is here to help our student population, whether it is earning an associate degree or certificate, or just taking a few classes to upskill their current job,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands Community College. “These COVID-19 relief funds are beneficial as they help our students overcome barriers caused by the pandemic, such as covering the cost of tuition and books, or other educational needs.”
In addition to COVID-19 relief funds, Penn Highlands also offers over 20 scholarships for each academic year, as well as payment plans designed to assist a student’s individual needs.
Our fall semester starts this August, and enrollment is currently underway. Click here for details.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will continue its commitment to academic excellence this fall with the introduction of an Honors Program.
The Honors Program will allow students to explore cultural and societal issues through new, distinct, and challenging academic programming opportunities. Students in the Honors Program will encounter enhanced experiential learning, seminars, interdisciplinary research, and community-engaged service projects.
Honors students’ classes employ a collaborative and cross-disciplinary research approach. These courses are designed to fulfill core and major requirements across a variety of academic majors. Additionally, these students will be challenged to think creatively and critically both inside and outside of the traditional classroom.
“This Honors Program will provide students with an academic experience enriched by working with faculty on projects that are of interest universally across all settings,” stated Robert Farinelli, Vice President of Academic Affairs at Penn Highlands Community College. “Students will leave with an academic resume that they can take as they transfer or enter the workforce.”
The Honors Program is a testament to the quality and strong educational foundation Penn Highlands offers students throughout the region. This new distinction allows Penn Highlands to recognize and expand opportunities for the highest achieving students. Penn Highlands believes the new designation will add prestige to current degrees, while enhancing current programming to create motivated life-long learners.
The Penn Highlands Community College Honors Program is open to all current and incoming students in any academic program. Academically talented and ambitious students are encouraged to apply to be a part of the inaugural class.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2021 semester.
Acme – Charles Robert Heckman, II
Alexandria – David Lee McGuire
Altoona – Megan Marie Anslinger, Christopher Michael Bearer, Kaylin Nikole Becker, Emma Leigh Bender, Garrett Steven Burns, Lindsay Victoria Chamberlain, Julia Elizabeth Dambeck, Kyle Ashton Dennis, Edward Michael Drzewiecki, Alicia Ann Friedenberger, Karmiel Latoya Jackson, Herman Johnson, Scott Anthony Jurcik, Shaina Elizabeth Lear, Maura Marie Lowey, Katherine Rose Markel, Diamond Makaylah Mercer, Nickolas Douglas Overdorff, Taylor Rae Peters, Tam-Mara Madeline Stevens, Tanner John Dayne Umbower, Imani Vaughn, Angela E. Weber, Abigail White
Apollo – David Michael Sylvia
Armagh – Ashlyn N. Bowers, Luke William Means, Emily Patricia Ponchione, Kallista Joy Regan, Noah Michael Slippy, Berkley Noel Sutton
Ashville – Hannah Grace Krug
Aurora – Alyssa Erin Hoffman
Beaverdale – Melissa L. Haslam, Erica L. Kovalik
Bedford – Spencer Michael Jacobs
Belsano – Ira Lee Sickles
Berlin – Jennifer Ann Swope
Blairsville – Alyssa Marie Debnar
Blandburg – Bethany Kay Smeal
Boswell – Madison Jade Burkholder, Hannah Marie St. Clair, Cassidy Elaine Washabaugh
Broad Top – Makayla Paige Hinkel
Cadogan- Christopher Matthew Serafine
Cairnbrook – Christy Lou Fleegle, Brooke Rhianne Marek
Carrolltown – Andrew J. Cidor, Melissa A. Finet, Samuel R. Sottile
Cassville – Ryan Bookheimer
Central City – Briana Lyn Pakstis
Cherry Tree – Makayla Marie Price
Clarion – Joshua Taylor
Claysburg – Mackenzie Rose Clemens, Justin Michael Mauk
Coalport – Maria Jewel Henry
Colver – Emma Leigh Davis, Lee Ann Krumenacker, Lucas Kenneth Taylor
Confluence – Rebekah Lindsey Phillippi
Connellsville – Justin Thomas Thornton
Corry – Kreg Allen Schreckengost
Cresson – Kayla Marie Borque, Mary Lee Courtot, Kaitlyn Marie Eger, Angela Marie Forlina, Alison E. Gailey, Katrina Dawn Anne Smith, Rachel C. Verchereau
Davidsville – Kayla Mae Yoder
Dayton – Eric Dean Eckman
Delta – Jacob A. Puglia
Duncansville – Jade Kathryn Corbin, Erika Olivia Wilkie, Christopher Alexander Winters
East Freedom – Amber L. Weyant
Ebensburg – Brandy Lee Eckenrod, Cassidy Goshey, Amanda Blake Hart, Lauren Elizabeth Kiepert, Matthew Paul Kuzilla, Bridget Ann Llewellyn, Austin Gene McCready, Lewis William Prather III, Hope Marie Sodmont, Cody James Sral, Korin Arielle Templeton
Emeigh – Courtney Breeanna Williams
Export – Eric Jeffrey Hyland
Fallentimber – Katie Lynn Ness
Fenelton – Hunter Alan Miller
Friedens – Jennifer L. Grabill, Derek Michael James Zolla
Gallitzin – Andrew James Eger, Sherry Christine Hines, Julie Ann Madonna
Greensburg – Jesse F. Gruber, Abbigale Hunter Wentzel
Hastings – Alexander David Blake, Nicolas W. Bradley, Tyler J. Charney, MaKala Lee Stafford
Hesston – Angeline Nicole Grove
Hollidaysburg – Emily Grace Campbell, Kara Elizabeth Gallagher, Tiffany Lynn Kennedy, Joseph M. Mattern, Mikayla Renee McIntosh, Paige Jean Senne
Hollsopple – Kelsey Raye Branch, Renee Ivy Eash
Homer City – Braden Boothby, Christopher Allen Dutschmann
Hooversville – Autumn Rose Yuzwa, Hannah M. Zorn
Hopwood – Nathaniel Joseph Erminio
Houtzdale – Alex Francis Capitos
Hudson – Phillip Thomas Grainger
Huntingdon – Colby Paul Grubb
Hyndman – Nicole Bumbarger, Joseph A. Guercio
Indiana – Sydney Rebecca Wells
Irvona – Samantha Sue Leamer
James Creek – Doak Abram Hoenstine
Jenners – Joseph B. Hornick
Jerome – Kalie Morgan Lysic, Uriah Shane Peruso, Jennifer Sue Stouffer
Johnstown – Taylor N. Ahlborn, Gillian Elizabeth Ambroe, Vincent E. Andolina, Cassidy Faye Bailey, Abigail Rose Bartis, Omar Benslimane, Nathan Hunter Berkebile, Justin Dylan Bezek, Selena Marie Blough, Allyson Boring, Hannah Noelle Boring, Ashley Nichol Boyle, Elizabeth Irene Breen, Breanna M. Brittingham, Liam T. Coyne, Megan Rose Cunningham, Ian Christopher Danchanko, Hannah M. Davis, Heather A. Donatelli, Christopher Ceylon Durham, Gavin Robert Eash, Peter O. Echon, Justin Thomas Eckenrod, Ashley Lynn Eppley, Benjamin M. Feathers, Drewann Marie Gaydos, Kali Gladys Giebfried, Morna M. Haluska, Brady Matthew Harrison, Chelsea Rae Helsel, Hayden Charles Holsopple, Corey Lynn Hrivnak, Benjamin Blasé Johnson, Emily Kathryn Keiper, Brian Scott Kennedy, Shelly M. Kerchner, Thomas Raymond Keyser, Taylor Diane Kirby, Cameron M. Kleczek, Caleb Nethaniel Knaze, Ryan Alan Kniss, Lacey N. Krouse, Jerri Joy Leslie, Gavin Parker Lewis, Abigail Anna Majercsik, Teresa A. Marion, Aliyah L. Naylor, Laura Lee Neatrour, Thomas Albert Opdenhoff, Lauren Michele Ozog, Pooja Anil Parekh, Jenna Marie Pavlosky, Dawn M. Pringle, Lindsey Marie Pullin, Hannah Elizabeth Rietscha, Jason Paul Rilogio, Tyler James Rodman, Shane J. Ross, William F. Roth, Elizabeth A. Ruszkoski, Rylee Morgan Sabo, Lucas Robert Sabol, Joshua Aaron Schalles, Jennifer L. Schario, Adrian P. Shane, Alexis Kira Shank, Emily Paige Sherry, Jordan Elizabeth Slavick, Victoria Frances Smothers, Sophia Miles Straw, Elizabeth Ann Stricker, Joseph J. Stringent, Star L. Surma, Emma Mae Tavalsky, David Michael Truscello, Amber Nicole Turner, Brianna Marie Tustin, Taelur Marie Vargo, Emmalie F. Vitalie, Nancy A. Webb, Grace A. Weinzierl, Alexander Michael Wherthey, Zachary David Whitcomb, Victoria Marie Winfield, Brent T. Zierer, McKenzie R. Zukus
Kunkletown – Nicole Schifano
Ligonier – Lexie A. Ambrose
Lilly – Lauren Marie Suchta
Loretto – Jeannie M. Crane, Morghan Theresa Krug
Mansfield – Colton James Pierce
Mapleton Depot – Kaitlin N. Arnold, Trey William Bennett
Martinsburg – Nicholas Allen Bechtel, Jessi M. Delozier, Kayla Ann Imler
McVeytown – Connor Nicholas Fultz
Mechanicsburg – Alexis Clifford
Meyersdale – Eric Steven Beckner, Carissa Nicole Miller, Alan Andrew Mognet, Lakyn Elizabeth Roadman, Lillian M. Whitacre
Mineral Point – Aaron Michael Fenchak, Kenneth Glenn Findley, Ty Frederick Keilman, Lauryn Mae McCullough, Kaylee J. Meier
Mount Union – Devin R. Delo, Nicholas Scott Hurley, Chloe Lane Schiffel
Nanty Glo – Emerson Mary George, Kira M. Gongloff, Stephen James Hauck, Jennifer Diane Kinter, Michaella N. Smick, Isaac Michael Thomas, Haley Michael Rhine
New Florence – Payton Krishelle Colson, Cheyanne M. Gregorich
New Kensington – Timothy Richard Conroy
Newry – Donny Hoffman
Northern Cambria – Ariel Martina Dospoy, Jeffrey Stephen Degol, Tanya Nicole Deyarmin, Reilly P. Hill, Delilah Lee Laney, Liana N. Laughard, Brennen James Lee, Joel G. Ludwig, Sydnee Laurel Miller, Abigail Theresa Montanaro, Johniemarie Olenchick, Gabriell Cassandra Peles, Hannah Elsie Phillips, Sydney Madison Sheredy, Lauren A. Sichko, Richard James Wiewiora
Patton – Jacob Leo Beebe, Zachary J. Farabaugh, Maddelyn Paige Hoover, Nicolas Scott Painter, Kelsey Louise Rematt, Cassidy Erin Ringler, Robert Eugene Tinker
Penn Run – Seth E. Fyock
Petersburg – Tricia May Farine, Gabriel David McMahon, Brittany Marie Waite
Portage – Skyler Daniel Baran-Wozniak, Richelle Irene Brown, Lucas William Jubina, Corey Kopnicky, Emily Krall, Joshua A. Krumenacker, Bella Nicole Nagy, Madison Elise Piatak, Garrett David Sanner, Cody James Schrift
Revloc – Danielle A. Hardsock, Ashley Michelle Patterson
Ridgeley – Logan Edward Corwell
Roaring Spring – Jenna Marie Carder, Katelynn Frye Carter, Waverly Elaine Harshbarger, Breana L. Weimert
Robertsdale – Devin Jeffrey Swope
Rockwood – Stephanie Christine Dwire, Hanna Lee Hoover, Molly R. Hostetler
Saint Benedict – Kelly Jo Bassett, Ashley N. McLucas
Saint Marys – Allison Rae Vollmer
Saint Michael – Christopher Kyle Kurchak, Alayna R. Plaza
Saint Petersburg – Jacob Isaiah Kriebel
Salix – Maria Hope Carosi, Levi Grigg, Priscilla L. Ryman, Noah Michael Webb
Saltillo – Brantley Lee Collins
Scottdale – Lee Eric Newcomer
Seward – Justin Robert Higgins, Tessa G. Rudnik
Shelocta – Joseph D. Spohn
Shirleysburg – Caylin Reeder, Griffin Frederick Scott, Kendra Wertz
Somerset – Melanie Cathryn Downing, Sarah Renee Fleegle, Tyson J. Hostetler, Krystal Elizabeth Knupp, Colby Graham Myers, Erin Elizabeth Pyle
South Fork – Allison Denise Gustkey, Jessica Dawn Ickes, Sara Nicole Units
Spring Church – Justin Thomas Donelow
Stoystown – Lily Patricia Grace, Casey A. Romus
Summerhill – Kendra Nicole Fox
Three Springs – Mason R. Farine, Wyatt Preston Long
Todd – Catherine Estella Cavanaugh
Twin Rocks – Stephen A. Karal
Tyrone – Jonathan Crocefoglia, John Andrew Lehner, Devin Matthew Phillips
Uniontown – Cassandra M. Filcheck
Vintondale – Garrett D. Smith
Wells Tannery – Maiah Mellott
Westover – Brandon Arnold
Williamsburg – Danelle Florence Roberts
Windber – Michelle Rose Bartkovich, Kacey Marie Berdomas, Tyler Robert Bush, Haley Nicole Crum, Brooke Nicole Elliott, Evie Adelia Johnson, Matthew David Kaiser, Trinity Paige Krause, Ronald L. Mayo, Marlayna Grace Miller, Dylan Jack Napora, Alyssa Marie Ott, Colton Steele Platt, Kayla Shuster, Debra M. Slagle, Matthew James Walker, Jonas D. Wissinger
With both commencement ceremonies completed at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College for this year, I cannot help but reflect on the graduating class of 2021.
The graduates had so many obstacles to overcome, and yet, despite them, graduated anyway. I am proud of their accomplishments, and it was great to get to meet many of them in person.
During my 25-year career in higher education, I have learned that very few students graduate without the support of some mentor or loved one.
The transition to and through higher education is a difficult one, and most of us on that journey need a cheerleader to encourage us to persevere during the hardest of times. I was lucky, as I had two parents who encouraged and supported my educational journey – and the journeys of my sister and brother.
As I mention often, I attended a local community college, where a small teacher-to-student ratio and excellent student support systems allowed me to thrive academically and grow into my own skin. After graduating from the community college, I transferred to Virginia Tech, a university of more than 25,000 students. However, I quickly felt diminished to a student identification number, and in some cases, was relegated to classes with hundreds of other students.
I received a fabulous education from Virginia Tech, and I have many fond memories there, but I had a very difficult transition from my community college, where I had personalized attention, to this large university, and consequently, I struggled academically my first semester.
Parenting is a gratifying but difficult job – and is an imperfect science at best. As most parents will attest, raising a family is hard work, which I confirmed when I helped raise two boys of my own. I have enormous respect for what my mother did, seemingly without much complaint, as she worked as a full-time elementary school teacher and helped raise a family. She worked all day, shopped for groceries, cleaned the house, and cooked for her family, and yet, I never felt alone. Somehow mom was always there when I needed her. Sometimes it was as simple as giving me a hug or a peanut butter sandwich. Other times, well, I may have required a literal kick in the pants. But simply being there for me was, and continues to be, enormous.
So, I was a young man at Virginia Tech, seemingly in over his head, who had lost confidence in his abilities. I was mentally and emotionally exhausted and ready to give up. It was clear to me that I was out of my element, and so, I called my mother to tell her I wasn’t cut out for Virginia Tech, that this wasn’t the place for me, and I was coming home. It was a declaration, not a question.
I sometimes wonder if my mother even remembers this phone call. But I do, and it was short and to the point – paraphrasing, she replied to my declaration, “You aren’t giving up. You aren’t coming home. Figure it out.”
We then went on to discuss some strategies to help me move forward and be successful. My mother gave me some “tough love” that day and it was exactly what I needed. The easy thing to do was to quit – the more difficult path was to figure it out.
Even today, I consider my mom a great friend and confidant, and I recognize that she will always love and care for me as much today as a 50-year-old adult as her awkward 5-year-old son. But one of my mom’s greatest gifts was to raise us, her children, with the confidence to go pursue our dreams and conquer the world.
Congratulations to all the local graduates!
Written By Dr. Steve Nunez, College’s Fifth President. This monthly series appears in The Tribune-Democrat, and will allow Dr. Nunez to provide his perspective on the value of education and of a community college.
On Saturday, June 12th, at Northern Cambria Middle School, the Penn Highlands Community College Ebensburg Student Activity Club will host a free Major League Baseball® Jr. Home Run Derby™ Competitionfor area youth beginning at 11 AM. The Major League Baseball® Jr. Home Run Derby™, powered by @MLBdevelops, is a fun and exciting youth competition for talented youngsters to showcase their hitting abilities, with the opportunity of competing at the Finals during the World Series™.
Boys and girls are divided into two age divisions: 12U and 14U, and will have the chance to advance through three levels of competition. The Local Champions from both age divisions will advance to the Regional Level, and Regional Champions will advance to the Finals, which will take place during the 2021 World Series™.
All participants must pre-register online athttp://pennh.cc/HRDerby and plan to bring age verification (copy/picture of birth certificate or similar) to the competition. Additionally, those who bring a canned good item to donate to a local food pantry will earn entry into a basket raffle. Raffle tickets are provided for each canned good item.
For questions concerning the competition, please contact Robert Sekerak, Local Coordinator and Penn Highlands Regional Center Director, at 814.471.0013 or rsekerak@pennh.25comm.com.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will continue its commitment to academic excellence this fall with the introduction of an Honors Program.
Written By Dr. Steve Nunez, College’s Fifth President. This monthly series appears in The Tribune-Democrat, and will allow Dr. Nunez to provide his perspective on the value of education and of a community college.