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Revamped Accounting Degree Provides Industry Designation Option

Our Accounting associate degree program has been revamped to better meet industry needs and help graduates find a career in less time.

Job skills and employability were key factors in the design of the revamped Accounting degree. Beginning this fall, the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Accounting will provide successful students with the opportunity to earn a Certified Bookkeeper designation through the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB).

This designation will instantly help graduates prove their skills and quickly obtain employment. According to the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, 66% of Certified Bookkeepers who have interviewed for a new job since becoming certified say that certification was important in obtaining the interview, and 46% of employed Certified Bookkeepers have gotten either a new job or promotion since being certified.

Accounting students will gain an understanding and application of accounting theory and practice and will have achieved a level of proficiency in related areas, including economics, management, marketing, information technology, and business sub-disciplines.

Graduates will know how to develop, measure, analyze, validate, and communicate financial information for use in proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. They will be able to complete the entire accounting cycle, including payroll.

“This is an exciting time for students in our Accounting program as they will have more options after graduation,” stated Melissa Boback, Accounting Lecturer and Program Coordinator at Penn Highlands Community College. “Graduates always had the choice to transfer their credits into a bachelor’s degree program, but now they will enjoy greater employability with their ability to earn the Certified Bookkeeper designation.”

Pennsylvania Highlands has six locations throughout the Southern Alleghenies region that serve residents of western Pennsylvania.

About Accounting (Associate Degree)
To obtain the Associate of Applied Science in Accounting, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 63 credits based on general education and specific major courses. Graduates will be able to earn a Certified Bookkeeper designation through the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.

New Patient Care Program Keeps Pace With Healthcare Industry

A new certificate program in Patient Care Technician was approved by our Board of Trustees. This certificate is set to begin this fall, and prepares graduates to be confident members of any healthcare team.

Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) are multi-skilled allied healthcare professionals who work under the supervision of a nurse or a physician. Students that successfully complete the program will be prepared to take certification exams in Phlebotomy and Patient Care Technician.

Graduates are ready to work in a hospital or clinic setting. They will be able to perform duties such as responding to patient calls, assisting patients with personal hygiene, serving meals, assisting with therapies and monitoring vital signs. Other responsibilities consist of drawing laboratory specimens, inserting and removing catheters, performing dressing changes and electrocardiograms (ECGs), and assisting with oxygen therapy.

A Patient Care Technician certificate provides graduates with many career options. They will be best suited for a career as a patient care technician skilled in EKG and phlebotomy, as well as general patient care.

“We are committed to keeping pace with the growing needs of our region’s healthcare industry,” stated Gaynelle Schmieder, Associate Professor of Health Care Professions and Health Sciences Department Chair. “The development and implementation of our Patient Care Technician program is just one step among many. Our ability to address community needs only makes our healthcare programs stronger.”

Other ways that healthcare faculty at Penn Highlands have been meeting and exceeding regional needs is through the new simulation lab, national accreditation of the Medical Assisting Technology degree, and redesigns of programs in Pharmacy Technician and Medical Coding.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

New Degree In Social Work To Provide Greater Career Options

Our Board of Trustees recently approved a new associate degree program in Social Work. The Associate of Arts in Social Work is set to begin this fall with its first set of incoming students.

The Social Work (A.A.) degree offers an introduction to students, and addresses various aspects of the social work profession. This entails a historical perspective, values and principles within the profession, working with diverse populations, and social welfare.

When working within the social work profession it requires knowledge of human development and behavior; social, economic, and cultural institutions; and the interaction of all these factors.

As an Associate of Arts degree, this program offers many options to graduates. They will be prepared to become a confident member of the workforce at an entry-level position or, if they wish to do so, transfer their credits with ease to a related bachelor degree program.

Pennsylvania Highlands has six locations throughout the Southern Alleghenies region serving residents of western Pennsylvania.

About Social Work (A.A.)
To obtain the Associate of Arts in Social Work degree a student must successfully complete a minimum of 60 credits based on general education and major requirements. The Social Work degree is a transfer program and offers maximum transferability into a bachelor’s degree program. Social Work will be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education later this year for consideration and inclusion within the program-to-program Statewide Transfer System. Click here for additional program details.

Dean’s List For Spring 2018 Announced

The Dean’s List for the Spring 2018 semester has been released. Penn Highlands Community College is proud of these students and their accomplishments.

Acosta – Megan Kelly Coddington, Brooke Elizabeth Gary

Altoona – Jared Michael Bender, Shantell Lynette Brown, John J. Cicchitello, Bryce Julian Colabove, Derek Matthew Cursio, Michaela Nicole Detwiler, Christina Marie Evans, Adrienne Grace Ford, Diane Louise Gallagher, Joyce R. Hughes, Janice D. Jorge Matos, Casey Aaron Kreiger, Jordan Levi Luciano, Rachel M. McGeary, Rebecca M. Rago, Alexandria Margaret Ratay, Todd Raymond Rice, Jamey Joe Sleesman, Justin Ross Straesser, Annette M. Thompson, Imani Vaughn, Ebony Makayla Wilson, Joan M. Yohn

Apollo – Tucker John Insko

Ashville – Caleb Andrew Eckenrode, Mackenzie M. Sherry

Beaverdale – RaeLynn Danielle Hammond, Devon Christopher Michaels

Bedford – SaDawna Marie Eshelman, Adam Robert Vanmeter

Bellwood – Elizabeth Jayne Whaley

Belsano – Hannah M. Melius

Berlin – Bradley Lynn Airesman, Lisa Ann Ferko, MaKenzie Noelle Maust, Matthew Charles Shipley

Bigler – Dylan J. Thompson

Boalsburg – Rabia Biyik

Boswell – Emily June Kennell, Von Michael Yoder

Brackenridge – Regis Daniel Uhric

Cairnbrook – Elle Elizabeth Griffiths, Benjamin Robert Yelovich

Carrolltown – Madison Leigh Augustine, Grace Elizabeth Bertram, Calem Robert Illig, Evan Joseph Johnson, Jared Paul Shank

Central City – Robert Ralph Antesberger, Joshua Clair Bulger, Ashtyn Michel Edwards, Hannah Beth Frazier

Charleroi – Richard Lee Rifenburg

Cherry Tree – Baylee Lynn Boring, Joyce Lynne Pittman

Clearfield – William Shane Rowles, Sarah E. Snyder

Colver – Bryan Edwin Guyer, Christine Marie Janosko, Allyssa Newton Nash, Kristy Lynn Weber

Conemaugh – Angela Rose Santacroce

Cresson – Shaina Lavon Aurandt, Angela Marie Forlina, Devin Scott Selip

Davidsville – Noah John Livella, Jordan P. Miller, Jennifer C. Yoder

Dayton – Zane Nathaniel Clowser

Duncansville – Todd Andrew Beard, Aaron Logan Cook, Kylee Marrie Lonsinger, Kaitlin Darlene McKee, Lyndzi Michele Vaughn, Dylan Matthew Zeiders

Dysart – Taylor A. Hoover

Ebensburg – Brandon C. Hritz, Hunter B. Kish, Thomas Matthew Lauer, Alix Marie Llewellyn, Zachary James Mallin, Amber N. McBreen, Jeremy Andrew McBreen, Kierra J. McBreen, Nathan Lee Smith, Faith Marie Sodmont

Erie – Mark David Woods

Fairhope – Phillip Kenneth Walter

Fallentimber – Lucas James Lumadue, Jeremy M. Rinker

Flinton – Julie Anna Seech

Frederick, MD – Jordan David Fortson

Freedom – Christopher Chance Parish

Friedens – Elizabeth Marlene Reese, Ashlynn Elizabeth Thomas, Jennifer Lynn Zborovancik

Gallitzin – Sarah A. Crynock, Julie L. Gray

Hastings – Jason P. Serafin

Heilwood – Thomas J. Letso

Hollidaysburg – Michael James Cheskey, Clair Marie Rhodes

Hollsopple – Alexis Lynn Christofes, Rebecca Lynn Yoder

Homer City – Alaina M. Campbell, Anthony Joseph Corso, Brandi E. Cramer

Huntingdon – Amanda L. Hartman, Aaron Charles Snook, Morgan Mikael Snyder, Lane Matthew Wilson

Imler – Sarah Nicole Allison

Indiana – Patrick Donald Graham, Cassidy Margaret Newman, Julia Marie Paynter

Irwin – Adam Edward Polakovsky

Jeannette – Matthew Joseph Grupp

Jerome – Keith Michael Baldwin

Johnstown – Riley G. Allen, Roman A. Arcurio, Brady Jordan Bachota, Evan James Barkhimer, Taylor Alan Beneke, Aaron Trent Berger, Haley N. Bicko, Nevaeh S. Blackman, Brandon J. Blasko, Andrew Joseph Bloom, Jack Joseph Brookings, Victoria A. Brumbaugh, Candice S. Buksa, Trista Marie Busch, Bradley Joseph Casper, Mya Frances Makana Ceballos-Palmer, Nicholas Rostom Constantino, Keith Allen Cook, Cassandra N. Cosgrove, Natalie Marie Costanzo, Sabrina L. Custer, Drew L. Deffenbaugh, Emilie Marie Deffenbaugh, Tara Nicole Dill, Jennifer L. Durica, Angel S. Eisenhuth, Brittany N. Ellsworth, David Henry Felix, McKenzie Lynn Fitzpatrick, Austin J. Gibson, Nikki Shirlene Gilpatrick, Zane D. Goldstrohm, Taylor Rae Gruss, Joshua Ray Hagen, Jordyn Elizabeth Hamilton, Autumn Marie Hause, Brady William Hess, Jaydrik Darian Hinton, Benjamin Harrison Holmes, Erin Marie Hoover, Dylan Thomas Hughes, Marcayes E. Hutchins, Christian Ovidio Jaramillo, Tiffany Amber Jones, McKenna M. Kachmar, Tyler Simms Katenbrink, Sara Marie Kimmell, Susan Marie Kinsey, Miranda B. Kiser, Emily A. Knapp, Kate M. Knapp, Nakyah N. Knight, Tyler Will Kocsis, Jessica K. Krouse, Kenya S. Kurcin, Nicholas Brian Letosky, Oliver Mark Lindrose, William Eugene Livingston, Anastasia M. Machik, Emily Jane Mantini, Caitlyn J. Marlowe, Ryan C. Mastovich, Allison Rose McClain, Ashlyn N. McConnell, Chey Yvonne McKelvey-Todaro, Ashley D. Michaels, Jacob T. Miller, Kaitlynne Elizabeth Miller, Rorrie E. Miller, Selena R. Miller, Denzel A. Mobley, Nolan P. Mock, Brock T. Moore, Alecia M. Morgan, Kristopher Matthew Mulvehill, Andrew Don Ogline, Samantha Renee Orris, Theresa M. Ozeck, Morgan B. Page, Nikolas P. Papaioannou, Miranda Lynne Pastuch, Brendon Skyler Rager, Andrew Colin Rand, Logan James Reese, Alexander Eric Ritenour, Lewis Raymond Michael Rose, Seth R. Rosenbaum, William F. Roth, Matthew T. Salem, Ashley Lynn Santichen, Bret Alan Sarlouis, Madalyn N. Scaletta, Rachel Lynn Scott, Christina Michelle Shaffer, Shana Lynn Slagle, McKenzie L. Slippy, Regina Faith Smith, Samantha M. Smith, Kaleya I. Smothers, Victoria Frances Smothers, Shane Thomas Steele, Jenna E. Stevens, Anji Lynn Stewart, Kane Isaiah Stiffey, Megan Nicole Stiffler, Tyler James Streets, Geoffrey David Stumpo, Lauren Alyssa Uchaker, Brendan M. Veney, Elonyá J. Veney, Dakota Ray Vojtowicz, Kala Ann Wainwright, Christopher John Weld, Austin M. Wienand, Alicia Alynn Wolfhope, Lauren Ann Zajdel, Andrew M. Zierer

Karns City – Angelo S. Rondinelli

Ligonier – David Lee Wasil

Lilly – Victoria Anne Costlow, Matthew Anthony Stephens

Loretto – Craig Matthew Eckenrode

Mapleton Depot – Donta Alexander Christoff

Martinsburg – Samantha Jean Burket, Zachary Steven Rumberger

Meyersdale – Micah James Bender, Amanda Noelle Custer, Eliza Adeleine Darnell, Alexis Jade Day, Megan Taylor Lavin, Presley R. Yutzy

Mineral Point – Nathan S. Kaschalk, Kathleen M. Orawiec, Aaron Robert Rieg, Vanessa D. Sheehan

Morrisdale – Bethany Dawn Hunt

Mount Pleasant – Ethan Timothy Charlesworth

Mount Union – Christopher J. Dodd, Diana Marie Roher

Nanty Glo – Lauren Elizabeth Amos, Anthony Edward Cornetti, Tashia Marie Hartman, Michael James Kivisto, Erika Elyse Law, Nathanael W. Sell, Brendon A. Smith, Kimberli Ann Weirauch

New Florence – Amber M. Boring

Normalville – Joel Kevin Berger

Northern Cambria – Seth Michael Charney, Quinn Sherwood Earnest, Chase Patrick Hill, Jordan G. Hill, John R. McBee II, Bradley C. McMullen, Linda Evelyn Seibert, Autumn Angel Wise

Orbisonia – Shea Raymond Berrier

Osceola Mills – Savannah Rose Patterson

Patton – Heather Renee Dietrick, Morgan Olivia Maslonik, Matthew John Milanesi, Jarred Andrew Reed, Devin Michael Shaner

Penn Run – Lauren G. Dumm, Seth E. Fyock, Bailey L. Orr, Justice E. Ratay, Alexandera Noel Ringler, Abagail Marie Sleppy

Petersburg – Tara Mae Sheetz

Philipsburg – William Thomas Foreman

Portage – Alex M. Bisaha, Lauren Nicole Deetscreek, Jacob Nathaniel Eichelberger, Allison L. Jones, Brooke L. Kennedy-Brecht, Steven D. Panick, Hannah Jean Shaffer, Karla Marie Troxel

Roaring Spring – Sarah Beth Kuntz, Thaddeus Bruce Willey

Robinson – Hannah D. Detwiler

Rockwood – Augusta Margaret Hay, Jacqlyn A. Knox, Jessica L. Knox

Saint Benedict – Cheyenne Marie Hayes, Bryan M. Shaffer, Elizabeth Anne Shaffer

Saint Boniface – Justin Wayne Thomas

Saint Marys – Joshua William Gleixner

Saxton – Gregory Thomas Lynn

Seward – Emily Kathleen Kemler, Laci Kaitlin Stone

Shade Gap – Jennifer Lynn Kreider

Sidman – Barbara Jeanne Fye, Mikala L. Hamara, McKenna Dawn McMasters, Danielle C. Mickus

Somerset – Jordan Lee Beistel, Justin Lee Chabol, Allison May Lane, Travis Stankan, Daniel Prescott Weaver, Cory Lynn Weicht, Matthew Lee Willison

South Fork – Madison Paige Brewer, Lakin Elaine Burkett, Misty Rose Custer, Megan Vivian Facciani, Crystal L. Fyock, Erin Christine Hof, Cameron Daniel Neuts

Stoystown – Lynne Nicole Brewer, Joseph James Nemchik

Strongstown – MaKenna J. Tinsman

Summerhill – Dana Danielle Bodenschatz, Kirsten Grace Foor, Alicia M. Gaunt, Edana Helene Glessner, Joshua David Gould, Maria Rose Lewis

Three Springs – Catherine Grace Anderson

Tire Hill – Kevin W. Clement

Twin Rocks – Tyler Ryan Hegedus

Tyrone – Brittany Allison Harris, Matthew David Laird, Joseph John Noel, Stevie Marie Pennington, Tiffany Marie Shearer, Jon Dennis Vandevander

Valencia – John Alex Cicconi

Vintondale – Lilac D. Brown, MaKayla D. Fertick, Tiffaney Jade Smith

Westover – Aaron Michael Bakaysa, Rachel Lyn Bakaysa

Williamsburg – Noah Daniel Detwiler, Xavier Ryan Maslowski, Teryl Austin Rice

Windber – Rebecca Blough, Timothy A. Borish, Madison Brooke Crum, Justin Michael Gates, Savanna Joy Kestermont, Andrew M. Mattis, Conor Duane Nitka, Hunter S. Thomas, Trevon Antonio Wallace, Sha’lee Meriem Watters, Jennifer M. Young

New Simulation Lab Benefits Student Experience In Healthcare Programs

Healthcare faculty and their students are celebrating an addition to their learning experience with a brand new simulation lab. This lab will benefit students in various current and forthcoming healthcare programs at Penn Highlands Community College, including Medical Assisting Technology and Pharmacy Technician.

A simulation lab replicates many healthcare environments such as a doctor’s office. Simulations done through this lab will allow students to role-play and act out situations they may encounter in the healthcare industry.

The new lab at Penn Highlands consists of many essential supplies and equipment. This includes EKG machines, venipuncture training arms, vital signs equipment, a pulmonary function monitor, infant mannequins and scales, a surgical skills trainer kit, infection control supplies and personal protective equipment, respiratory supplies, assistive devices (wheelchair, crutches, walker, cane), and so much more.

Students will be able to practice and perfect their skills in a safe and controlled environment. The simulation lab will help students learn to avoid medication errors, develop critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills, promote effective communication, and encourage teamwork.

“Our Medical Assisting students have waited patiently for this wonderful opportunity, and we are very grateful for the generosity of those that have contributed to the enhancement of our students’ learning experience,” stated Tammy Calpin, Assistant Professor of Medical Assisting Technology and Practicum Coordinator at Penn Highlands.

Fellow faculty member Gaynelle Schmieder, Associate Professor of Health Care Professions and Health Sciences Department Chair, shared her excitement for the college’s addition.

“This new Health Sciences simulation lab will have a positive impact on technological advancements in learning for years to come,” said Schmieder. “I’m so excited because of the impact it will have for both our current and future students.”

The Lee Initiatives Grant provided partial funding for the simulation lab. Currently, the Richland Campus is the only college facility to house a simulation lab, but plans are in the works to bring a similar simulation lab to the Penn Highlands Blair Center in the near future.

Faculty, staff, and students unveiling the new simulation lab at the Penn Highlands Richland Campus.