Latest news with #PennsylvaniaHighlandsCommunityCollege
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Penn Highlands receives $1.1M endowment for student scholarships
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has received a $1.1 million endowment to establish a new student scholarship program. The funding comes from Margaret J. Pardee. The new educational grants will launch in the fall 2026 semester. 'We are deeply grateful for Ms. Pardee's commitment to education and her belief in the potential of our students,' Penn Highlands President Steve Nunez said in a release. 'This endowment will transform lives by providing students with the opportunity to pursue their academic dreams without financial barriers.' The Margaret J. Pardee Scholarship will provide full tuition grants to cover all costs and fees associated with one year or two semesters of education for students enrolled full-time. Eligibility includes proof of financial need, extracurricular involvement and academic excellence, as well as the student's declared intention to attend the college as a full-time, degree-seeking learner. Graduates of Cambria Heights and Northern Cambria high schools, whose legal residence is within the geographic areas served by Hope Fire Company and/or Hastings Volunteer Fire Company, will be given primary consideration. The initial application period will start in March 2026. 'Ms. Pardee's legacy will live on through the success of our students who will benefit immensely from her generosity,' said Carole VanMeter, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation director. 'We can't thank her enough for her support of the college's students and her community.' As recognition of Pardee's generosity, the foundation will place a commemorative plaque at both Cambria Heights and Northern Cambria high schools, if approved by the districts. The plaque will detail the life of Pardee and her commitment to helping others. For more information, visit
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Penn Highlands Community College receives $1.1 million endowed to fund full-tuition scholarship program
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — A $1.1 million gift is set to open new doors for local students at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, thanks to a newly announced endowment that will fund full-tuition scholarships beginning in Fall 2026. The Margaret J. Pardee Scholarship will cover the full cost of tuition and fees for full-time Penn Highlands students for one academic year, with the option to reapply the following year. The college expects to award six of these scholarships annually. Eligibility requires applicants to enroll full time in a degree-seeking program and show financial need, academic excellence, and extracurricular involvement. Priority consideration will be given to students graduating from Northern Cambria or Cambria Heights high schools who live within the service areas of the Hope Fire Company or Hastings Fire Company. Applications for the scholarship will open in March 2026. To honor the legacy of Margaret J. Pardee, the college plans to install commemorative plaques at both Northern Cambria and Cambria Heights high schools, pending approval from each district. The scholarship is managed by the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation, which supports student opportunities through private donations, events and grants. Since its founding in 1995, the Foundation has worked to advance the college's mission of providing accessible, high-quality education. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Penn Highlands graduates 30th class, marks three decades of service
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – As Pennsylvania Highlands Community College graduate Olivia Cavallo entered the gymnasium Friday for commencement, she adjusted the regalia that marked her time at the school where she studied early childhood education. The Northern Cambria resident, who was one of two Class of 2025 presidential scholars, wore three honors cords, two stoles and an academic medal. Identifying each of the pieces – one for graduating with honors, another for being a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, and the medal representing her position on the Pennsylvania All-Academic Team – she smiled and lauded the college for helping her achieve her dreams. 'I loved it here,' Cavallo said. Not only did she dedicate time to studies, she was also president of the Caring for Cubs Club and was involved in the student activities club in Ebensburg. 'It was amazing,' Cavallo said. 'I met so many new people. They pushed me out of my comfort zone.' Now that she's earned her associate degree, she plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the fall to continue her studies in early childhood education. Cavallo and the rest of the class of 2025 were honored with a special commencement that marked Penn Highlands' 30th anniversary Friday. Penn Highlands President Steve Nunez told the students that they are part of the rich legacy of the school that started three decades ago and has grown to serve five counties with six educational centers and boasts 6,000 graduates in its time. At a commemorative dinner held before graduation, he compared the 'small vote' in 1993 of the Cambria County commissioners to serve as sponsor of the college to a butterfly effect, saying that action has had a significant ripple effect throughout the region's history. 'At the heart of all of this it's, to me, really measured in lives changed,' Nunez said. 'We improve lives through education.' The dinner also featured comments from Dean of Library Services and Special Projects Barbara Zaborowski, who is one of the most tenured faculty at the school, having joined in 1995. She reflected on the origins of her job and told the story of the first accreditation visit from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which ended with a representative stating they 'couldn't imagine a place in Pennsylvania more deserving of a community college.' Throughout the past year, Penn Highlands has held a variety of commemorative events to mark the anniversary, and Friday was no different. In addition to the dinner, Nunez during commencement conferred onto former Cambria County Commissioner Mark Wissinger an honorary associate degree in public service. Wissinger was one of three county leaders who voted to sponsor the college more than 30 years ago – his fellow former Commissioners Kathy Holtzman and Ted Baranik have since died. 'I appreciate it,' he said. 'Just the fact that they remember me.' Wissinger described the evening as a 'special night' not just for the college, but all the graduates as well. Students earning their diplomas ranged from high schoolers walking with an associate's degree before their own high school graduation to nontraditional students who returned to education years later. Richland High School senior Karsyn Ford said she was relieved her associate's program was complete, adding that the dual enrollment track was a challenge. Despite that, she's excited for her next chapter at St. Francis University, where she's enrolled in the physician assistant program. Ford and fellow Richland seniors Taylor Nagle and Carissa Kaufman received their diplomas at the dinner because of a conflicting high school event. For Taylor Rickabaugh, 27, the idea of graduating again was 'surreal.' Although she was entering school again years after graduating from high school, she said the staff at Penn Highlands were phenomenal and made the transition seamless. Rickabaugh added that her experience overall 'was amazing.' 'It's nice to be here,' United High School student Melina Fry said. She was also enrolled in the dual enrollment offering and noted the stressful challenge of managing it, but said it was worth it to earn her associate degree early.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Penn Highlands graduates 30th class, marks three decades of service
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – As Pennsylvania Highlands Community College graduate Olivia Cavallo entered the gymnasium Friday for commencement, she adjusted the regalia that marked her time at the school where she studied early childhood education. The Northern Cambria resident, who was one of two Class of 2025 presidential scholars, wore three honors cords, two stoles and an academic medal. Identifying each of the pieces – one for graduating with honors, another for being a Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member, and the medal representing her position on the Pennsylvania All-Academic Team – she smiled and lauded the college for helping her achieve her dreams. 'I loved it here,' Cavallo said. Not only did she dedicate time to studies, she was also president of the Caring for Cubs Club and was involved in the student activities club in Ebensburg. 'It was amazing,' Cavallo said. 'I met so many new people. They pushed me out of my comfort zone.' Now that she's earned her associate degree, she plans to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the fall to continue her studies in early childhood education. Cavallo and the rest of the class of 2025 were honored with a special commencement that marked Penn Highlands' 30th anniversary Friday. Penn Highlands President Steve Nunez told the students that they are part of the rich legacy of the school that started three decades ago and has grown to serve five counties with six educational centers and boasts 6,000 graduates in its time. At a commemorative dinner held before graduation, he compared the 'small vote' in 1993 of the Cambria County commissioners to serve as sponsor of the college to a butterfly effect, saying that action has had a significant ripple effect throughout the region's history. 'At the heart of all of this it's, to me, really measured in lives changed,' Nunez said. 'We improve lives through education.' The dinner also featured comments from Dean of Library Services and Special Projects Barbara Zaborowski, who is one of the most tenured faculty at the school, having joined in 1995. She reflected on the origins of her job and told the story of the first accreditation visit from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which ended with a representative stating they 'couldn't imagine a place in Pennsylvania more deserving of a community college.' Throughout the past year, Penn Highlands has held a variety of commemorative events to mark the anniversary, and Friday was no different. In addition to the dinner, Nunez during commencement conferred onto former Cambria County Commissioner Mark Wissinger an honorary associate degree in public service. Wissinger was one of three county leaders who voted to sponsor the college more than 30 years ago – his fellow former Commissioners Kathy Holtzman and Ted Baranik have since died. 'I appreciate it,' he said. 'Just the fact that they remember me.' Wissinger described the evening as a 'special night' not just for the college, but all the graduates as well. Students earning their diplomas ranged from high schoolers walking with an associate's degree before their own high school graduation to nontraditional students who returned to education years later. Richland High School senior Karsyn Ford said she was relieved her associate's program was complete, adding that the dual enrollment track was a challenge. Despite that, she's excited for her next chapter at St. Francis University, where she's enrolled in the physician assistant program. Ford and fellow Richland seniors Taylor Nagle and Carissa Kaufman received their diplomas at the dinner because of a conflicting high school event. For Taylor Rickabaugh, 27, the idea of graduating again was 'surreal.' Although she was entering school again years after graduating from high school, she said the staff at Penn Highlands were phenomenal and made the transition seamless. Rickabaugh added that her experience overall 'was amazing.' 'It's nice to be here,' United High School student Melina Fry said. She was also enrolled in the dual enrollment offering and noted the stressful challenge of managing it, but said it was worth it to earn her associate degree early.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
JARI program grads laud workforce offering
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – When Robin Wright signed up for the first cohort of the Johnstown Housing Authority's workforce readiness program, she saw an opportunity to be lifted up not only for herself but for her daughter as well, she said. Now, Wright is set to graduate from the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center auto-technology program, and Sha'Nya Henry, her daughter, is wrapping up her credits at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and was accepted to Drexel University for the upcoming fall term. 'This is a great program,' Wright said. 'I suggest everybody who can get into it, get into it.' She and Henry credit the offering for giving them the boost they needed to better their lives. Prior to participating last year, Wright was unemployed, and Henry had just moved back to the area after caring for her ailing father in Virginia. Wright was worried about her daughter, she said, and prodded her to join the workforce readiness program, which both agreed was a good choice. They also noted that participating in the first cohort of the program brought them closer together. 'I loved getting to do this with my daughter,' Wright said. Henry, 20, agreed, adding that they pushed each other during the multi-month classes and held each other accountable. 'Teamwork makes the dream work,' Wright said. The workforce readiness program started last year and is paid for with a federal appropriation of $250,000. JHA provides the opportunity through a partnership with Johnstown Area Regional Industries, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and PA CareerLink. Those residing in JHA locations, such as Wright and Henry in the Oakhurst neighborhood, can sign up for the classes that focus on a variety of subjects, such as resume building, mock interviews, communication skills and digital literacy. Bus passes and child care are provided as well. Dave Grimaldi, JARI director of workforce development, said the program gives area residents that 'little push' they need to better themselves, and those involved are glad to lend a hand. 'We'll work with everybody in our JHA program and get them what they want,' he said. For Wright, that was leveraging the program for assistance through the JARI Neighborhood Assistance Program she used for tuition at GJCTC and in Henry's case, it was help getting into Penn Highlands. Henry can now continue her studies at Drexel, where she'll major in English with a focus on creative writing, and Wright can pursue her dream of owning her own auto body shop. Wright and Henry 'are just two great success stories of our program,' Grimaldi said. Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky said he was so impressed by the story about the mother and daughter team that he had to meet them. He did so Tuesday at a JARI event. He said he was inspired by the results of the JARI program and how it lifts up those involved. Chernisky congratulated Wright and Henry for their success, lauded their dedication and wished them well in future pursuits. The third cohort from the workforce readiness program is set to graduate in June with the fourth starting in September. Between those events, Grimaldi said JARI is planning mini-career fairs, workforce trainings and related offerings. For more information, visit Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
