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Tuition reduced for Somerset County Residents

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced it will be reducing tuition costs for Somerset County students by nearly 3% to $198 per credit. This reduction lowers the full-time tuition per semester for Somerset County students to just under $3,000, at $2,970.

Pennsylvania Highlands was able to make this adjustment based on its new lease for expansion within Partner’s Hall. Working with the County Commissioners, the College agreed that the cost of the rental space was below actual market value and offered to pass those savings along to all Somerset County students.

“We want our students to earn a degree without incurring debt, and by passing our savings onto the students we are providing them with every opportunity to do just that,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

The tuition and fees schedule is available on the College’s website, under the Pay for College section. Fees for 2017/2018 have not changed from the prior year.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The College’s Accelerated College Education program, which provides opportunities for high school students to earn college credits while still in high school at a low rate of $58/credit, is accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partners (NACEP). Penn Highlands is one of only two colleges in the state to hold national accreditation for the program.

Fall classes begin on Monday, August 28, at each of the College’s five locations: Blair, Ebensburg, Huntingdon, Richland, and Somerset.

HS Students from Region earn Full-Tuition Scholarship

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College would like to congratulate the outstanding work of the area high school students that were awarded the College’s Board of Trustees Academic Scholarship. This 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 3.5 in their high school career, participate in various activities, and demonstrate leadership throughout their community.

Scholarship recipients receive a full-tuition scholarship to attend Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to complete an associate’s degree. Pennsylvania Highlands would like to honor those who will receive the 2017 Board Academic Scholarship:

• Robert Antesberger, III of Central City, PA (Johnstown Christian School)
• Hannah Bodes of Meyersdale, PA (Salisbury-Elk Lick Junior/Senior HS)
• Anthony Cornetti of Nanty Glo, PA (Blacklick Valley Junior/Senior HS)
• Alexis Day of Meyersdale, PA (Meyersdale Area HS)
• Amber McBreen of Ebensburg, PA (Cambria Heights HS)
• Matthew Milanesi of Patton, PA (Cambria Heights HS)
• Kendall Page of Windber, PA (Windber HS)
• Carly Smith of Windber, PA (Windber HS)
• Tiffaney Smith of Vintondale, PA (Blacklick Valley Junior/Senior HS)

Cambria Residents see 2017 decrease

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has set and released its tuition and fees schedule for the 2017-2018 academic year. While students outside of Cambria will see a less than 1% increase in tuition, residents of Cambria County will see a 3% decrease in tuition for the upcoming academic year.

The reduction in tuition for Cambria County Students was the result of both Penn Highlands and County Commissioners working together. “What we really want to see is students obtaining a college credential and remaining in the area to live and work,” stated President of Penn Highlands, Dr. Walter Asonevich. “Working side by side with the Cambria County Commissioners to access additional funding gives students that opportunity at the lowest possible cost which reduces student loan debt.”

Four of out of every five students that transfer from Penn Highlands attend another college or university within our region to continue their education. The savings these students realize by attending Penn Highlands first helps make this type of transition possible. Additional scholarship funding is also available to qualified graduates of Penn Highlands for students wishing to attend one of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Schools. These schools include Indiana University of Pennsylvania, California University, Slippery Rock, and Shippensburg.

“Fully funding Penn Highlands Community College is an investment in our community,” stated Commissioner Thomas Chernisky. “After graduating from Penn Highlands, 86% of Cambria County students remain in our county to further their education or enter the workforce.”

The tuition and fees schedule is available on the College’s website at pennh.25comm.com, under the Pay for College section. Fees for 2017/2018 have not changed from the prior year.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The College has five locations: Blair, Ebensburg, Huntingdon, Richland, and Somerset.

Dean’s List for Spring 2017 announced

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2017 semester.

Acosta: Niki Lynn Zerfoss

Altoona: Rachel Lynn Blackburn, Shantell Lynette Brown, John J. Cicchitello, Benjamin David Coldwell,Lillian B. Faison, Adrienne Grace Ford, Nathalia M. Harchak, Alissa Nicole Ingram, Casey Aaron Kreiger, Kylee Marrie Lonsinger, Mikayla Marie Merritt, Nicholas Trevor Ransom, Midah Shahid, Zunaria Shahid, Justin Ross Straesser, Annette M. Thompson, Hannah Kate Wray

Alum Bank: Sarah M. Gardner, Larry E. Sarver

Apollo: Tucker John Insko

Armagh: Thomas M. Bracken, David E. Brendlinger

Athens: Derek Duane Horton

Beaverdale: Kaitlyn Emanuelle Alley

Bedford: Adam Robert Vanmeter

Bellwood: Amy Jo Vaughn

Berlin: Bethany Marie Blubaugh, Tyler James Gindlesperger

Blairsville: Alyssa Marie Debnar

Boswell: Cassandra Marie Brocht, Hunter Matthew Connor, Sierra Mckenn Eagleson, Hanna E. Mesaros, Stephen Allen Mort, Scott Jeffrey Sutton, Melanie Renae Washabaugh

Butler: Tyler Curtis Lemmon

Cairnbrook: Trista Marie Busch

Carrolltown: Michael J. Gmitter, Calem Robert Illig, Evan Joseph Johnson, Matthew Robin Ramsdell, Michael Cyril Shuss, Amanda Kay Stossel, Nicholas Adam Veneskey

Central City: Michael Anthony Contrillo

Chambersburg: Zachary Filer Garnes

Cherry Tree: Brenda K. Smith

Claysburg: Gregory Michael Beiro, Zachary Kyle Cox

Clearfield: Kylee B. Mitchell, Wyatt D. Porter, William Shane Rowles, Sarah E. Snyder, Jena M. Soult, Ashley R. Struble

Colver: Bryan Edwin Guyer, Lyndon Joseph Saylor, Kristy Lynn Weber

Conneaut: Mark David Woods

Cresson: Shaina Lavon Aurandt, Anastasia Elizabeth Clapper, Christopher James Soisson, Hannah Marie Szpala

Davidsville: Marisa Lynne Wagner

Dayton: Zane Nathaniel Clowser

Duncansville: James Franklin Figart, Janelle N. Meadows, Ryder Jadon Pero

East Freedom: Catherine Anne Milillo

Ebensburg: Kimberly L. Chappell, Scott Edward Holsinger, Laurie J. Horn, Cody Francis Mack, Bailie Ann Rhoades, Jessica Lynn Shaffer, Nathan Lee Smith, Heath Francis Wirfel

Everett: Justin William Mearkle

Flinton: Anthony Joseph Barnhart, Megan Kimberly Bickford

Frenchville: Thad Edward Butler

Friedens: Samantha Elaine McKenzie, Miranda Lynne Pastuch

Gallitzin: Sarah A. Proudfit

Gray: Kaitlin D. Sivits

Greensburg: Cole Joseph Frederick

Hastings: Dylan Robert Maurer, Elizabeth Rose Schweiger, Amanda Jane Urgolites

Hollsopple: Alexis Lynn Christofes, Makayla Grace Coughenour, Kylee L. Doyle, Zachary Nicholas Dull, Kristopher G. Hogue, Aaron Nicholas Szapka, Desiree M. Toth

Homer City: Cheyane Marie Hillan

Houtzdale: Megan Elizabeth Patterson

Huntingdon: Shelli Renee Jones-Duffy, Morgan Mikael Snyder

Indiana: Brandi E. Bell, Patrick Donald Graham

Jerome: Leigh Conrad Deist

Johnstown: Alexis Renee Albert, Mary K. Angus, Misty Marie Ashcom, Gabrielle Zoe Belz, Charis Yvonne Biancuzzo, Amanda R. Bosely, Danielle P. Boyer, Jack Joseph Brookings, Gabrielle Elizabeth Buck, DeAnna Mae Burkett, Laura Marie Campagna, Sadie Danielle Carney, Daniel G. Carter, Mya Frances Makana Ceballos-Palmer, Megan B. Cohn, Kaitlen-Marie N. Cooper, Natalie Marie Costanzo, Jenna Nicole Danchanko, Jamie M. Dolinsky, Erin Michele Dubnansky, Theodore Emerson Dunagan, Jessica Jean Eash, Shelby Alanna Edwards, Amaiah L. Ellis, Kayla Christine Eppley, McKenzie Lynn Fitzpatrick, Martina B. Flanagan, John Haynes Follansbee, Anthony J. Furfari, Megan Ashley Graham, Jacob Ryan Green, Jordyn Elizabeth Hamilton, Autumn Marie Hause, Cassandra Sue Helsel, Evan J. Heming, Tanaya Alexandria Hinton, Zachary Michael Hoover, Holly Ann Hostetler, Christian Ovidio Jaramillo, Chante Johnson, Breona Lynn Keirn, Sara Marie Kimmell, Rachel S. King, Cynthia Marie Kist, Phillip Dominick Kniss, Jonathan David Kramer, Alexis Marie LaBuda, Nicholas Brian Letosky, Kayla R. Leventry, William Eugene Livingston, Alexander R. Lopez, Jaimee E. Maluchnik, Lana Evgenevna Maniakhina, Maria E. Manon, Desarae Brooke Margucci, Regina Marie Mcminn Sida, Ashley D. Michaels, Alexander J. Middleton, Ashley Nicole Miller, Katelyn Dawn Miller, Selena R. Miller, Alecia M. Morgan, Arlaya L. Morris, Sheila Ann Myers, Jacob R. Nemeth, Krista Nicole Neuner, Christopher L. Norman, Andrew Don Ogline, Lauren Madison Olshewsky, Lindsay Marissa Olshewsky, Callie A.J. Olvera, Michael David Pellow, Cassidy Rose Polacek, Seth David Pratt, Aaliyah N. Pridgen, Joseph William Prouse, Seth Thomas Reese, Divine I. Rivera, Lewis Raymond Michael Rose, Noah John Sakmar, Melissa Marie Salerno, Joshua S. Scaletta, Katie Abigail Shaffer, Noah Scott Shorto, Heather Renee Shroyer, Ryan S. Slanoc, Misty A. Smothers, Alana Somerville, Kane Isaiah Stiffey, Geoffrey David Stumpo, Logan Christopher Subich, Elizabeth Marie Swanberg, Ruth J. Velazquez-Torres, Brad E. Vermileon, Philip John Vizza, Cheyann J. Warner, Erin Marie Weyant, Ethan A. Wingard, Emily V. Wood, Courtney E. Yoder, Wen Jing You

Knox: Michael Eugene Ritchey

Ligonier: Cheyenne Laurel Stouffer

Loretto: Mark David Eckenrode

Meyersdale: Johnathan James Chaney, Timothy James Garlitz, Ben Martin Helinski, Danielle Leigh Hetrick, Tammy Lee Hetrick

Mineral Point: Daren Von Ashurst

Mount Pleasant: Ethan Timothy Charlesworth, Patrick Robert Heskey

Mount Union: Kevin Eugene Harris, Candy Nan Jordan

Nanty Glo: Ashley Lynn DeSalvo, Taylor Nichol Frederick, Michael James Kivisto, Ethan John Marines, William Blake Ray, Katrina M. Rayman, David M. Shedlock

New Derry: Sarah N. Boyce

New Florence: Amber M. Boring, Alexander Wayne Kells, Colin Andrew Knupp, Laci Kaitlin Stone

New Paris: Cynthia D. Frazier

Newton Hamilton: Jason Lee Hocker

Normalville: Joel Kevin Berger

Northern Cambria: Tanner Lee Carl, Chase Patrick Hill, John R. McBee II, Katie Montgomery Mertens, Michaela Marie Penksa, Autumn Angel Wise

Orbisonia: Shea Raymond Berrier

Patton: Nichole Lynn Helbig, Jessie Karla Hoover, Devin Michael Shaner

Petersburg: Tara Mae Sheetz

Pittsburgh: Willie James Smith

Portage: Alex M. Bisaha, Matthew A. Gage, Darla Rae Kennedy, Brooke L. Kennedy-Brecht, Jesse Karl Kreutzberger, Steven D. Panick, Sandra J. Pentland, Jamie Lee Sossong, David Lee Tutsock

Revloc: Bethany M. Breshears, Brandy Lee Eckenrod, Kelly Ann Hott

Roaring Spring: Brandon Mark Brumbaugh, Hannah K. Moore

Rome: Wyatt Mitchell Shuman

Rouseville: Colton Alan Cunningham

Saint Benedict: Bonnie L. Himmel, Brittany E. McLucas

Saint Marys: Joshua William Gleixner

Saint Michael: Michelle M. Naughton

Salisbury: Shawn Allan Romesberg

Salix: Courtnie Elizabeth Eshbaugh, Chey Yvonne McKelvey, Ashlee N. Sabo, Gabrielle Marie Vogel

Saxton: Gregory Thomas Lynn

Sidman: Joel Michael Barton, Ryan Michael Holgash, Gabrielle Nicole Josephson, Samantha Kaitlyn Knepper, Danielle C. Mickus, Alexa B. Spicher, Carly Danielle Turgeon

Somerset: Ashleigh Nicole Fieg

South Fork: Misty Rose Custer, Megan Vivian Facciani, Noah Joseph Kolar, Easton John Krajewski, Courtney Raye Wilson

State College: Anagen D. Wood

Stoystown: Brittany Nicole Naugle, Erin Maria Sutton

Summerhill: Taylor Rae Burkey, James D. Cornman, Kevin Michael Margic, Christine L. Yakicic

Three Springs: Catherine Grace Anderson

Twin Rocks: Tyler Ryan Hegedus, Kassandra Michele Little

Tyrone: Casey Adam Campbell, Crystal Lynn Hoffman, Joseph John Noel, Stevie Marie Pennington, Tiffany Marie Shearer

Valencia: John Alex Cicconi

Vintondale: Lilac D. Brown, Jacquelyn Marie Sheesley, Tiffaney Jade Smith

Westover: Aaron Michael Bakaysa, Rachel Lyn Bakaysa, Logan Michael Sral

Windber: Timothy A. Borish, Jeffrey John Dagostino, Danielle Denise Dillon, Justin Michael Gates, Julie Anne Gordon, Bonnie J. Keefer, Sarah A. Levadnuk, Tyler Patrick McCall, Jillian R. McNeal, Courtney Marie Mihalko, Conor Duane Nitka, Dana Sue Ramirez, Daniel Robert Shaffer, Hunter S. Thomas, Erica M. Zabrucky

NCMA Exam Results announced with 100% Pass Rate; College recognized as Testing Site

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is pleased to announce that 100% of the eligible individuals connected to the College’s Medical Assisting Technology program, past and present, that took the National Certified Medical Assistant exam in 2016 (NCMA) passed.

College President, Dr. Walter Asonevich, offered his congratulations on this outstanding achievement to the 13 medical assistant professionals that passed and the College’s faculty leaders in our Medical Assisting Technology program: Gaynelle Schmieder, Associate Professor of Health Care Professions, and Tammy Calpin, Instructor of Medical Assisting Technology.

Many of the individuals that took the exam in 2016 will be the first to graduate under the program’s new national accreditation by the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Currently, graduates of the College’s Medical Assisting Technology program are eligible to sit for a number of National Certification exams. Eligibility is based on a number of quality factors that include national program accreditation, faculty credentials, curriculum quality, and student success in academics and employment.

Eligible National Certifications for graduates moving forward include:

• National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
• Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
• National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)
• National Certified ECG Technician (NCET)
• National Certified Phlebotomy Assistant (NCPT)

In addition to graduates earning certification testing eligibility, the College is now an official National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) test site. As a result, most of the listed exams are administered on-site at the College’s Richland Campus.

As a testing site, the College may better serve allied health students and employers in the Southern Alleghenies. These national certifications help further validate student professional preparation and commitment to the medical profession. Increasingly, healthcare employers are seeking employees who hold certifications as a means of documenting professional preparation and proficiency in specialized fields.