Newsroom

Kish Bank donates to College’s ACE Program

Kish Bank has donated $4,000 in Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Funds to to help fund the Accelerated College Education Program (ACE). The ACE Program gives high school students an opportunity to earn college credits while taking classes at their local high school.

“Having a partner such as Kish Bank allows us to continue to provide our ACE students with an affordable opportunity to jump start their college education,” said Penn Highlands President, Dr. Walter Asonevich.

During the 2012-13 academic year, the ACE Program served over 1,700 students in 45 school districts throughout 10 counties.

F.N.B. donates to College’s ACE Program

Dr. Walter Asonevich, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, accepts a donation from Greg Winger, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for F.N.B. Corporation. The $5,347.25 Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program donation was given to help support the College’s Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program.

The ACE Program provides high school students in grades 9-12 with an opportunity to earn college credits while taking courses at their high school. The program served over 1,700 students during the 2012-13 academic year.

Somerset Trust donates to the ACE Program

The Somerset Trust Company has donated $20,000 in Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Funds to Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to help fund the Accelerated College Education Program (ACE). The ACE Program gives high school students an opportunity to earn college credits while taking classes at their local high school.

“Somerset Trust is a valued partner in our efforts to keep these educational opportunities available and affordable for our students.” said College President Dr. Walter Asonevich. “This program continues to grow every year due to the support of businesses such as Somerset Trust.”

During the 2012-13 academic year, the ACE Program served over 1,600 students in 45 school districts stretching 10 counties.

College awarded 2014 Military Friendly Schools® Designation

Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has named Pennsylvania Highlands Community College the coveted Military Friendly Schools® list. The 2014 Military Friendly Schools® list honors the top 20 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools in the country that are doing the most to embrace America’s military service members, veterans, and spouses as students and ensure their success on campus.

“Pennsylvania Highlands is proud to be serving over 60 military service members, veterans and their families this year,” said Dr. Walter Asonevich, College President. “We are excited to receive this recognition and remain dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment for these students.”

“Inclusion on the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools® shows Pennsylvania Highlands Community College commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, Vice President at Victory Media and a nine-year Navy veteran. “The need for education is growing and our mission is to provide the military community with transparent, world-class resources to assist in their search for schools.”

The Military Friendly Schools® media and website features the list, interactive tools and search functionality to help military students find the best school to suit their unique needs and preferences. The 1,868 colleges, universities and trade schools on this year’s list exhibit leading practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience. These schools have world-class programs and policies for student support on campus, academic accreditation, credit policies, flexibility and other services to those who served.

Now in its fifth year, the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools ® was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 10,000 schools nationwide approved for VA tuition funding. The survey results that comprise the 2014 list were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based upon the weightings and methodology established by Victory Media. Each year schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard than the previous year via improved methodology, criteria and weightings developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) consisting of educators from schools across the country.

A full story and detailed list of 2014 Military Friendly Schools® will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools ®, distributed in print and digital format to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in early October.

Dr. Robert Clark appointed to Assistant Professor position

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Robert M. Clark to the position of Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences. This position is both full-time and tenure-track based.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Clark was both an Instructor and Lecturer for Pennsylvania Highlands in the Criminal Justice department from Spring 2011 through Spring 2013, while also serving as department lead. He currently serves as Curriculum Committee Chair for the College. Before teaching at Pennsylvania Highlands, Dr. Clark taught undergraduate-level courses as a Visiting Assistant Professor at St. Francis University (Depts. of Sociology/Criminal Justice and Social Work), and as a full-time/temporary Instructor at California University of Pennsylvania (Dept. of Justice, Law and Society). He also teaches graduate-level courses in leadership for Duquesne University’s School of Leadership and Professional Advancement.

Before teaching, Dr. Clark worked exclusively in county government-level social services and the court system in three states as a supervisor, trainer, county multi-disciplinary team co-coordinator, and forensic interviewer. His primary focus was working with individuals in the juvenile justice system as well as adults in the victim services system, which included those in court-supervised probation, substance abuse treatment, child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault cases. Along with law enforcement and county prosecutors, Dr. Clark conducted forensic interviewing of victims and alleged perpetrators in preparation for court, as well as participated in court-record reviews, judicial and District Attorney conferences, depositions, court-testifying and helped write various court documents, juvenile compromises, and victim impact statements. Additionally, he has over 700 hours of certified training, as well as direct professional experience and expertise in the areas of child abuse and neglect crime, sex crimes and analysis, PTSD, adult victim services, and crimes codes associated within these specific areas.

Robert earned his Ph.D. in Administration and Leadership Studies (concentration in sociology, political science, leadership and economics), an M.A. in Sociology (concentration in human services with a substance abuse focus) and a B.A. in Sociology (Applied Social Research track), all from Indiana University of Pennsylvania

.