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YPA and Career Planning collaborate on Career Closet to help build Success in our Community

Thanks to the Young Professionals of the Alleghenies (YPA) organization, 38 Penn Highlands Community College students received complimentary interview attire this past academic year. In addition, YPA’s partnership with the Career Planning and Employer Services Center at Penn Highlands Community College was instrumental in creating the Career Closet.

Director of Career Planning and Employer Services, Larry Brugh, said the collaborative initiative has allowed the College to establish a permanent, year-round resource of new to gently used interview attire for students. “The generosity of the YPA members has assisted students who may have economic hardships or just need an article of appropriate interview attire for a job fair or interview, in a pinch. All students are welcome to utilize the service regardless of circumstance. We are extremely appreciative of the group’s support in providing this regular pipeline of suits, ties, shirts, blouses, belts, and shoes for our students.”

Penn Highlands’ student, Alex Perring, stated, “It gave me a boost in confidence to wear my Career Closet suit at a job fair I recently attended. It set me apart from many students who did not dress up and gave me the reassurance to approach and network with many employers. I am grateful to the Young Professional’s Association for their generosity.”

The Young Professionals of the Alleghenies is a diverse group of individuals that is engaged within the community through a dynamic mix of social, professional, volunteer, and cultural opportunities. YPA takes pride in the Alleghenies and all that it has to offer by promoting businesses, opportunities, and events within the region. YPA serves the community by volunteering to assist with community projects, such as the College’s Career Closet.

“The Young Professionals of the Alleghenies strives to be an influential partner in the community. We are honored to be a partner with Penn Highlands in launching their Career Closet and are thrilled to help students as they embark on their career search,” stated Jennifer Hale Davis, YPA Board Member.

Standing in front of the Career Closet, pictured left to right: Alex Perring, Penn Highlands Student; Josh Summits, YPA Board Member; Kevin Bean, YPA Board Member; Matt McVicker, YPA Board Member; William Hargreaves, YPA Board Member; Missy LaMonaca, YPA Board Member; R. Patrick Lehman, Penn Highlands Student; Jennifer Hale Davis, YPA Board Member; Jessica Krouse, Penn Highlands Student; Jennifer Biggs, Penn Highlands Student; Mike Hruska, YPA Board Member; tina Gibbons, YPA Board Member; Sandy Schrum, Penn Highlands Faculty Member; Larry Brugh, Penn Highlands Director.

Pennsylvania Community Colleges honor exceptional Students at Awards Banquet

The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges honored the 21st Annual All-Pennsylvania Academic Team at an awards banquet held on Monday, April 13th, in Harrisburg. The awards recognize an exceptional group of community college students who have achieved excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities.

The 2015 All-PA Team consists of 44 outstanding community college scholars from across the Commonwealth. They are an exceptionally diverse group, ranging from a teenager who will receive her high school diploma and associate’s degree within a span of two weeks, to a grandmother of four. These students are a testament to the community colleges’ mission that was created over 50 years ago: to provide an accessible and affordable path to higher education for all Pennsylvanians.

Pennsylvania’s community colleges partner with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities to provide scholarships to All-PA Team members at PASSHE institutions. Twenty nine of this year’s team members intend to transfer to PASSHE institutions, and 35 of them intend to pursue postgraduate education in a wide range of fields.

Those honored from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College included Cassidy Belle, Jennifer Biggs, Danielle Close, Michaela Hanlon, and R. Patrick Lehman.

Cassidy Belle will be transferring to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she will study Early Childhood Education, and she hopes to one day earn a master’s degree in Special Education. She is vice president of the student government, and is active in community service, having done coat and clothing drives, volunteering at the local soup kitchen, traveling to New Jersey to help rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, and traveling to Peru to help those in need. She hopes to become fluent in American Sign Language so that she can work with deaf children.

Jennifer Biggs will be attending Pennsylvania Highlands for one more year before transferring to St. Francis University, where she plans to enter the Adult and Continuing Education program and major in Online Behavioral Sciences. She is a member of the Allies Club, a member and scholarship recipient of the AAUW, and a tutor. Jennifer is the President of Phi Theta Kappa, Treasurer of Student Senate, and Secretary of Sigma Alpha Pi. She is a columnist for the Keystone Alliance/Gaylife Alliance, a choir member, a member of the Board of Directors for the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Ligonier Valley, a mom of two, and a wife. Jen also teaches her family Spanish as a second language.

Danielle Close plans to transfer to California University of Pennsylvania. She is a volunteer with Camp PARC and the Community Park of Boswell. She was involved with the College’s first “Immersion in the City” community service trip to Philadelphia. Danielle has maintained a 4.0 GPA while working two jobs during her tenure at Pennsylvania Highlands.

Michaela Hanlon has been on the Dean’s List every semester she has been at Pennsylvania Highlands. She is a business major and has yet to decide where she will pursue her bachelor’s degree. She volunteers at her church, and was involved with the College’s first “Immersion in the City” community service trip to Philadelphia. She is an accomplished baton twirler, serving as a coach at a local high school, and she competes as a part of three different performance groups, as well as doing solo competitions.

R. Patrick Lehman will be attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the fall, and he hopes to continue on and earn a master’s degree. He is the president of both Student Senate and Sigma Alpha Pi, and a vice president of the College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. Patrick has participated in the “20 Acts of Kindness” initiative, the Phi Theta Kappa Blood Drive, and the College’s first “Immersion in the City” community service trip to Philadelphia. He plans to complete his MBA so that he can start his own project management company.

Patrick Lehman named to the 2015 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team as a Silver Scholar

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College student Robert Patrick Lehman, of Windber, has been named a 2015 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholar. Lehman will graduate in May 2015 with a degree in Business Management. He plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania after graduating from Pennsylvania Highlands.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars, and providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each Silver Scholar receives a $1,250 scholarship and a special medallion.

There were over 1,700 applicants for the scholarship. Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society administers the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Program and recognizes Coca-Cola Community College scholars during the All-State Community College Academic Team Recognition ceremonies held in 38 states.

Community college presidents or their designated nominators may submit no more than two nominations per campus for this award. An independent panel of judges considers outstanding academic rigor, grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service in the selection process.

Mr. Lehman is the President of both the Student Senate and the National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi). He is the Vice President of Public Relations for the Beta Epsilon Omega chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Pat is also the Chairman of College Senate and sits as a student representative on the College Board of Trustees. He is a member of the philosophy Club and volunteers with many different organizations and projects.

“Pat Lehman has been an outstanding student and leader at Pennsylvania Highlands,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “He has been a role model for our students and staff and is a prime example of what is possible when a person pursues their dreams with purpose and conviction. Pat will be an asset to any college, business, or organization with which he is involved and we will be proud to be able to count him as an alumnus of Pennsylvania Highlands.”

2015 Black Bear Sprint to Success 5K Results

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College held its 8th Annual Black Bear Sprint to Success 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, April 18th, at the College’s Richland Campus. Organizers would like to thank Wessel & Company for serving as the event sponsor and recruiting such a large number of participants. Proceeds from the race will help the Pennsylvania Highlands Foundation provide funding for student scholarships, faculty development, and program support.

Results are as follows:

MALE RUN & WALK 

Top Three Overall
1. Ean King, 17:54
2. Grant Cruse, 19 21:40
3. Vinnie Mulcahy, 29 22:32

14 And Under
1. Harlan Chandler, 23:17
2. Jack Hostetler, 28:26
3. Gavin Miller, 28:52
4. Stevie Tomasko, 49:26
5. Donovan Lenhard, 51:23
6. Landon Miller, 51:58

15-19
1. A.J. Papcunik, 24:18

20-29
1. Sean McCool, 25:27
2. Frank Brown, 26:07
3. Nicholas Felton, 30:26
4. Brad Rousell, 46:35

30-39
1. Andrew Stephenson, 23:20
2. Keith Lenhard, 24:38
3. Ben Wadsworth, 25:06
4. Raymond Weible, Jr., 29:58
5. Tim Wadsworth, 31:56
6. Michael Montag, 55:22

40-49
1. Mike Kick, 25:42
2. Chad Bunk, 43:51

50-59
1. Gary Honkus, 29:46
2. Michael Orr, 43:18
3. Kevin Sabo, 43:47
4. Sam Carpenter, 49:32
5. Larry Brugh, 50:35

60-69
1. George Hancock, 23:52
2. Denny Cruse, 24:03
3. Larry Varchetti, 27:35
4. Eric Rummell, 32:22
5. Jim Cook, 32:49
6. Michael Pasierb, 39:33
7. Larry Ramirez, 44:13
8. Bob Mainhart, 49:48
9. Ted Nichols, 53:45

FEMALE RUN & WALK

Top Three Overall
1. Catherine Muchesko, 19:58
2. Elizabeth Makin, 24:24
3. Brenda Szelong, 25:16

14 And Under
1. Haidee Errett, 41:30
2. Kaydee Swires, 43:46
3. Abigail Lenhard, 50:28

15-19
1. Allison Melius, 25:47
2. Brook Gallo, 32:51
3. Allison Kick, 33:49
4. Kayla Grove, 43:46
5. Jenn Mazey, 47:35
6. Autumn Kells, 47:54
7. Ariel Ansell, 49:24
8. Jill Snyder, 50:33

20-29
1. Tonya Bibby, 26:05
2. Kathleen Clark, 28:27
3. Marlissa Bearjar, 30:59
4. Rebecca Luprek, 33:32
5. Emily Felton, 38:48
6. Kali Gilpatrick, 50:35
7. Kayla Stephenson, 51:27

30-39
1. Michelle Maksymik, 26:16
2. Jodi Billetdeaux, 28:04
3. Danielle Miller, 29:29
4. Amber Lenhard, 34:57
5. Sally Bunk, 40:21
6. Kristi Titus, 42:17
7. Christine Tomasko, 49:22
8. Jill Gontkovic, 50:50
9. Adriann Kehl, 50:51
10. Megan Montag, 55:22

40-49
1. Karen Teklinsky, 30:59
2. Cheryl Chandler, 32:41
3. April Renzi, 34:15
4. Kristi Cintron, 39:29
5. Lisa Christofes, 42:08
6. Sharon Swires, 44:05
7. Julia Nesbitt, 49:00
8. Denise Papcunik, 51:44

50-59
1. Laura Spengler, 28:09
2. Missy Felton, 30:26
3. Tina Honkus, 31:49
4. Amy Ray, 32:07
5. Rene’ Fetchkan, 49:01
6. Sherry Hofecker, 49:01
7. Salli Weible, 51:43
8. Elaine Vitko, 54:23
9. Brenda Orr, 55:58

60-69
1. Carol Rummell, 32:32
2. Kristal Acker, 33:42
3. Sue Hunt, 33:43
4. Susan Babalonis, 53:44
5. Karen Deutsh, 54:23

College continues 20th Celebration with Puttapalooza, 5K Run/Walk, Homecoming, and more

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College continues to celebrate their 20th Anniversary during the 2014-2015 Academic Year.

During the week of April 13th through April 18th, Pennsylvania Highlands will celebrate the anniversary with the first homecoming events in the College’s history. Student clubs and organizations will host “Spirit Week” Monday through Friday at each of the College’s five locations in Cambria, Somerset, Huntingdon, and Blair counties.

On Friday, April 17th, the College Foundation will host the area’s most unique golf tournament, Puttapalooza, bringing community members together in support of the work being done by the Community College Foundation. All tickets for this fundraising event, sponsored by Somerset Trust Company, include pre-game appetizers, 18 mini-golf holes, and a post-game meal that is as fun as the golf itself.

The Foundation will then host its annual Black Bear Sprint to Success 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, April 18th, sponsored by Wessel & Company. Registration begins at 8:00 AM and the race starts at 9:00 AM sharp. Pre-registration for the event is $15.00 and race-day registration is $20.00. The course is an asphalt and macadam style course beginning at the College’s main entrance. Awards will be given to the top 3 male and top 3 female overall finishers. In addition, awards will be given to the top 3 male and female finishers based on pre-determined age groups.

Proceeds from both the golf tournament and the race will benefit Community College scholarships, programs, facilities, and faculty development.

Following the race, students, employees, alumni, and community members are invited to our Homecoming Family Day activities. From 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, attendees will enjoy a 9-hole mini-golf course, musical entertainment, family activities, alumni/student athletic games, and a catered lunch at noon. College alumni are encouraged to attend our Alumni Meet & Greet at 11:30 AM in the Mangarella Library.

“Penn Highlands is thrilled to welcome community members to the Richland Campus to help us celebrate our 20th year of service to the Southern Alleghenies,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Penn Highlands. “When we take a step back and look at all that we have been able to accomplish over those 20 years, all of the lives the College has impacted, it’s quite remarkable.

“We would like to thank everyone in the community for being so welcoming to us over the past twenty years,” said Asonevich. “We will continue to serve the region through both our high quality educational opportunities and community service projects.”