COMMENCEMENT
THIRTIETH GRADUATING CLASS MAY
16, 2025
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College offers an inclusive, supportive, and affordable environment that empowers students to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in work, life, and the pursuit of lifelong learning.
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT: DR. STEVEN NUNEZ
To the Class of 2025, family, and friends, welcome to the thirtieth commencement exercises for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.
We collectively stand proud as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates. We recognize the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice it took to complete their education.
It is notable that the word “commencement” means “beginning”, and not “ending.” It is why so many commencement speeches include phrases like “this is only the beginning of your journey” or “this is the beginning of an exciting, challenging, and rewarding phase of your life.” Education should be about a means to an end, not the end. And as such, we celebrate your new beginning.
Graduates, I hope that you understand that this is not the end of your education - you will be reinventing yourself throughout your life and it is my hope that you will never stop the love of learning. Perhaps you will earn a more advanced degree – or maybe you will partake in additional on the job training – or maybe you will take music lessons to learn to play the guitar. Education is more than just training for a profession – it can bring enjoyment, color, and texture to your life. I am proud that Pennsylvania Highlands served you during this time in your life.
With humble beginnings 30 years ago, Pennsylvania Highlands has made lasting impressions on the surrounding communities. It is due to the tireless work of many that this place stands on firm ground today.
We thank the Cambria County Commissioners, the College’s sponsor, for believing in the transformative power of education and how a highly educated and trained workforce is vital for the community. We must thank current and former members of the Board of Trustees for their commitment to an institution that literally had to be grown from the first employee up. We must thank the selfless volunteers of the Pennsylvania Highlands Foundation Board of Directors who help raise money to support our students and this College. Certainly, we have much gratitude to the College’s faculty and staff who have taught, mentored, encouraged, and cared for our students these past years. Thanks to all of you for your contributions to, and belief in, this great institution.
As the fifth president of Pennsylvania Highlands, I recognize what it took for each of you to make this institution what it is today. Thank you.
On a final note, I look forward to the coming years, with anticipation, to hearing stories of success beyond Pennsylvania Highlands.
Enjoy your time. Congratulations again, graduates.
Dr. Steven Nunez
President, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER: ADELYN DULL
Adelyn Dull, a 2023 graduate of Conemaugh Township Area Senior High School, will be receiving her Associate of Applied Science in Criminial Justice degree during the thirtieth commencement exercises. Adelyn is the daughter of Eric and Nicole Dull of Hollsopple, PA.
While attending high school, Adelyn was involved in numerous activities and clubs. Adelyn was a part of the Class and Taste Marching band for six years and the drum major for her junior and senior years. She also participated in concert band and choir. In addition to the music department, she was heavily involved in Rotary Interact, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Journalism, and played on the Special Olympics Bocce Ball team.
As a student at Penn Highlands, Adelyn has served as the Student Senate President and was involved in multiple clubs. She served as the founder and President of the Criminal Justice Club, the Vice President of X-Flies Club, and participated in the Black Bear Cheer Club. Adelyn also pursued many academic interests, as she was the Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, member of the National Society of Leadership and Sucess, and in the Honors Program.
Adelyn has devoted countless hours volunteering with the college at events such as Safe Trick-or-Treat, Chef Auction, Puttapalooza, and New Student Orientation. As the Student Senate President, Adelyn was the Student Trustee and served on the Calendar Committee. Adelyn actively participated as a member of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees.
Outside of Adelyn’s studies and activities at Penn Highlands, she is a head coach at Conemaugh Township Area Senior High School where she leads two teams of students in Unified Bocce Ball for the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. Adelyn also works as a part-time sales associate at TJ Maxx. In her free time, Adelyn enjoys traveling, reading, camping, and spending time with her friends and family.
Upon graduation, Adelyn plans to attend Saint Francis Universtiy to earn a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Cybersecurity.
WELCOME
ORDER OF
Dr. Barbara Zaborowski Dean of Library Services and Special Projects
PROCESSIONAL
“Pomp and Circumstance” Marches Op. 39 No. 1, Elgar
COLLEGE MARSHAL AND MACE BEARER
Gregory Paonessa President of Faculty Senate Instructor, Computer Technology
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
Sung by Gina Pettenati
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND PLATFORM PARTY
Dr. Steven Nunez President
GREETINGS
Scott W. Hunt
President Commissioner Cambria County Commissioners
Dr. Janet Grady Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
Gregory Paonessa President of Faculty Senate Instructor, Computer Techology
Adelyn Dull
President of Student Senate Member of the Graduating Class
GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE
NAME MAJOR
Kyra N. Allison Liberal Arts and Sciences ◊Φ Aug. 2024
Mark Bagley Liberal Arts and Sciences Aug. 2025
Alexis Marie Barber Liberal Arts and Sciences Aug. 2024
Briley M. Benson Liberal Arts and Sciences
Andrew L. Betcher
Silas Chad Bothell
Rylee P. Boyer
Olivia Burk
Aiden J. Carr
Olivia Ann Cavallo
Justin Chaney
May 2025
May 2025
Raechel Collier Psychology ◊ May 2025
Madalyne N. Cook
Jacob Stephen Cramer
Connor Crowley
Linsey Dabbs
Katelyn Daily
Molly Margaret Davies
Hannah Marie Detterline
Elizabeth M. Diehl
Abigail Digon
Grant Clay Dombrosky
Arts and Sciences May 2025
May 2025
Arts and Sciences * May 2025
Charlee K. Eckenrod Psychology May 2025
Cameron Edgin
Liberal Arts and Sciences May 2025
Kaedan W. Errett Liberal Arts and Sciences • Aug. 2025
Karsyn Ford
Liberal Arts and Sciences * May 2025
Melina Sue Fry Liberal Arts and Sciences *◊Φ May 2025
Emma Lynn George
Liberal Arts and Sciences Aug. 2025
M. Jeannette Gordon Psychology May 2025
Christian Joseph Haberkorn
Liberal Arts and Sciences ◊ May 2025
Christian Harding Liberal Arts and Sciences ◊ May 2025
Katelyn Morgan Harper Liberal Arts and Sciences *◊ May 2025
Tamara Renee Hayes
Connor B. Hicks
Maggie Kay Hill
Samuel Hughes
Anna (Az) Jennings
Liberal Arts and Sciences Aug. 2024
Liberal Arts and Sciences * May 2025
Liberal Arts and Sciences *◊ May 2025
Liberal Arts and Sciences Aug. 2024
Liberal Arts and Sciences May 2025
Carter Lyn Jones Psychology Aug. 2025
Jessica Dawn Karstetter Education ‡ May 2025
Carissa Anne Kaufman
Alexis Ketner
Brock E. Kobal
Ava Lynn Kovalcik
Kendall Mykel Kramer
Will Andrew Latuch
Shaylan Lee Liebig
Paul Leo Lumadue
Liberal Arts and Sciences *• May 2025
Liberal Arts and Sciences May 2025
Liberal Arts and Sciences * May 2025
Liberal Arts and Sciences *◊ May 2025
Liberal Arts and Sciences *◊ May 2025
Education • Aug. 2025
Early Childhood Education May 2025
Liberal Arts and Sciences • May 2025
GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE
NAME MAJOR DATE
Jennifer J. Anderson Medical Coding and Billing Aug. 2025
Abigail J. Aurand Social Service Assistant • Aug. 2024
Kirsten Ayers Business Management Aug. 2025
James Martin Barber Jr Business Management ◊Φ May 2025
Jonathan C. Barton
May 2025 Cyber Security
Jessica M. Bauer-Cook Medical Coding and Billing Aug. 2024
Paige Elizabeth Beal Social Service Assistant • May 2025
Kelly L. Beam
Samantha K. Bear
Ethan M. Brady
Coding and Billing ‡ May 2025
Aug. 2024
May 2025
Kayla Brathwaite Media Production May 2025
Julia Grace Burkhard Social Service Assistant May 2025
Abigail Bush Business Management May 2025
Alexus Carr Radiologic Technology May 2025
Phoebe Anna Carr Business Management Aug. 2024
Ethan Cavalet
Hunter Conklin
Jaden Conrad
Aidan Tyler Costic
David Croyle
Paikea Croyle
Management Aug. 2024
2024
2025
Aug. 2024
2025
Coding and Billing May 2025
Dahrianna Cuello Criminal Justice May 2025
Spencer Curd Information Technology - May 2025 Cyber Security
Andrew Davis Criminal Justice May 2025
Sarah DeBose
Management ◊ Dec. 2024
Emma R. Dibert Entrepreneurship Dec. 2024
Chase Dinyar
Alex Dively
Benjamin Patrick Dombrosky
Adelyn Nicole Dull
Cassidy Faith Dusack
Steven Michael Dusack
James Eakins
Jonathan Edmundson
Madison A. Fabian
May 2025 Cyber Security ◊Φ
2025
Aug. 2024
2025
Management May 2025
May 2025
Technology - Dec. 2024 Cyber Security •
Management ◊ May 2025
Aug. 2024
Kyle L. Feliciano Accounting ‡ May 2025
Joseph T. Flick Media Production ‡ May 2025
RhiAnna Lyn Becker Flook Criminal Justice May 2025
Giovani Joseph Flori Business Management Dec. 2024
GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE (CONTINUED)
NAME MAJOR
Alyse Renae Michuk Medical Assisting Technology May 2025
Cenley Justine Miller Radiologic Technology • May 2025
Dylan Edward Miller Medical Coding and Billing ◊ May 2025
Hannah L. Miller
Leah Minick
Amy Lynn Mirilovich
Akram Moustafa Moaz
Travis J. Molliver
Jalimaris Morales
Amanda Nicole Mosorjak
Elizabeth Gabrielle Mundok
Aug. 2024
Coding and Billing • May 2025
• May 2025
2025
2025
May 2025
•Φ May 2025
Management Dec. 2024
Angela Diane Noel Medical Coding and Billing ◊ May 2025
Tessa O’Keefe Criminal Justice Dec. 2024
Caleb D. Orie
Jennafer Lynn Palmer
Julianne Pascual
Logan Robert Pitera
Michele E. Plummer
Allie Anne Polchito
Madison Marie Porter
Evan Charles Potter
Mackenzie L. Quinn
Brianna Ramsey
Taylor Nicole Rapsky
Thomas Reihart
Paul Robert-Joseph
Maria Rolon
Jordan Anthony Romani
Nick Roomsburg
Aliyah Logan Ross
Joseph Sabo
Dylan C. Santichen
Management May 2025
Coding and Billing May 2025
Aug. 2024
2025
Management Dec. 2024
Technology - Dec. 2024 Cyber Security
Technology - Dec. 2024 Cyber Security
Management Dec. 2024
Technology - Dec. 2024 Cyber Security
May 2025
Coding and Billing Aug. 2024
Technology May 2025
Coding and Billing •Φ May 2025
May 2025
Aug. 2024
Technology - May 2025 Cyber Security
Christina Schrader Medical Coding and Billing ◊Φ Aug. 2025
Hailey Paige Secrest Radiologic Technology May 2025
Katrina M. Secrest Business Management May 2025
Sara Shade Medical Coding and Billing May 2025
Abigail Marie Show Paralegal Studies • Aug. 2024
Samantha Smith
Michael Stasik
Ben Storoz
Julia Nicole Suhayda
Emmett Usmiller
Management May 2025
May 2025
Production May 2025
Management • May 2025
Dec. 2024
GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025
ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE (CONTINUED)
NAME MAJOR
DATE CONFERRED
Zachary Vantroba Criminal Justice Dec. 2024
Haily Nicole Wagoner
Kaitlyn Elaine Walk
Joshua R. Walters
Zoe Serena Walters
Krista Rose Watt
Emily Elizabeth Weiser
Alex C. Wilkins
Amanda Marie Wilson
John Anthony Edward Wolf IV
Kaitlyn Hernandez
Jordan S. Wright
Business Management May 2025
Business Management ◊ May 2025
Accounting May 2025
Accounting May 2025
Business Management ◊ Dec. 2024
Business Management • May 2025
Information Technology - May 2025 Cyber Security ◊
Business Management Aug. 2024
Business Management May 2025
Business Management May 2025
Information Technology - May 2025 Cyber Security
GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE
NAME MAJOR
Adam Scott Altemus
Kadijah Hawantu Haja Bangura
Dalton J. Boden
Ashley Campbell
Anna Charney
Dakota Newlin
Quang Minh Nguyen
Ryan Michael Stancombe
Salvatore Tiracave
Braydon Winkelman
Evan Joseph Wiseman
DATE CONFERRED
Business Administration May 2025
Pre-Health Professions Aug. 2025
Computer Science Aug. 2025
Pre-Health Professions Dec. 2024
Computer Science • Aug. 2025
Computer Science Aug. 2025
Business Administration Aug. 2025
Business Administration May 2025
Business Administration ◊ Dec. 2024
Business Administration May 2025
Computer Science ◊ May 2025
Zachary Zentkovich Computer Science May 2025
CERTIFICATE
NAME MAJOR
DATE CONFERRED
Abigail J. Aurand Substance Abuse & Aug. 2024 Addiction Technician
Devin Barrett Culinary Arts May 2025
Chelsey Brehm
Pre-Health Professions: Nursing May 2025
Brittney M. Brennan Criminal Justice Dec. 2024
Lea B. Burkett
Pre-Health Professions: Nursing Aug. 2024
Julia G. Burkhard Substance Abuse & May 2025 Addiction Technician
Ashley Campbell
Makalynn S. Chambers
Steffanie M. Conzatti
Pre-Health Professions: Nursing Aug. 2024
Pre-Health Professions: Nursing Aug. 2024
Pre-Health Professions: Nursing Aug. 2024
Alexander W. Crist Computer Support Specialist May 2025
David Croyle Bookkeeping Dec. 2024
Joseph Allen Denney Culinary Arts May 2025
Vanessa DiCostanzo
Pre-Health Professions: Nursing May 2025
Shannon May Ehrhardt Criminal Justice Dec. 2024
Maisha El
Lauren Leah Eslary
Pre-Health Professions: Nursing Aug. 2025
Pre-Health Professions: Nursing May 2025
Carla J. Frederick Substance Abuse & May 2025 Addiction Technician
Cayden Lee Garman
Hannah Greenleaf
Lucas A. Grubb
Heather Jean Harmon
Anna Hersh
Tranise Hill
Jessica Holmes
Melissa Marie Howell
Business Management Aug. 2025
Bookkeeping May 2025
Bookkeeping May 2025
Direct Support Professional May 2025
Bookkeeping Aug. 2024
Bookkeeping May 2025
PA Director Credential Aug. 2024
Pre-Health Professions: Nursing May 2025
Shante’ Jones Criminal Justice Sept. 2024
Spencer C. Kauffman
Kaden Klonicke
Damiana Marie Kniss
Criminal Justice Sept. 2024
Bookkeeping Aug. 2024
PA Director Credential Aug. 2024
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
ACADEMIC REGALIA
The academic attire worn by platform guests and participants comes from a tradition beginning in medieval Europe. At times when the general type of clothing worn was the robe or gown, colors and materials showed individual rank or wealth. As trades, professions, guilds, and universities developed, distinctive variations came about to identify affiliations.
Universities gradually modified the gowns, capes, hoods, and caps into distinctive forms that would identify levels of academic achievement. In the 1890s, American colleges and universities agreed upon a somewhat uniform application of the academic regalia. Typically, scholars with a Bachelor’s Degree wear the unadorned black robe. Those with a Master’s Degree wear a hood lined with the colors of their college and trimmed with the color specifying their academic discipline area. The Doctoral Degree robe adds three velvet bars on each sleeve. The doctoral hood is more ornate.
Faculty and staff members wear the traditional attire of the college or university that conferred their degree.
THE MACE
Once a weapon in medieval combat, the mace evolved over time into a symbol of rulership and became associated with the pride of a nation and its origins. Later, the mace was adopted by universities as a symbol of the power of the academic quest for truth and wisdom. It is carried at academic processions not only to bring authority to ceremonial occasions but also to symbolize the unity and aspirations of the College community.
COLLEGE MEDALLION
The President of a college during academic ceremonies wears the College Medallion as a symbol of the leadership responsibilities vested in that office. The medallion is circular in form and includes the name of the College enclosing the shield of the College. The graceful, unbroken lines of the circle represent the unending process of education.
ACCREDITATION
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-662-5606. The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency, which is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on recognition of Post-secondary Accreditation.
COLLEGE COMMUNITY LEADERS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Janet L. Grady, Chairperson
Jennifer Anderson, Vice Chairperson
Greg Winger, Secretary/Treasurer
Lladel Lichty, Public Relations Officer
John Augustine, At-Large Officer
Carl D. DeYulis
Rev. Reginald Floyd
Joe Hurd
Jacqueline Kulback
Jennifer Mitchell
Mike Puruczky
Brett Smith
Dr. Leah Spangler
Ralph Stewart
Linda Thomson
Carissa Itle Westrick
Adelyn Dull, Student Trustee 2024-2025
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeffrey Wood, President
David Mordan, Vice President
Roberta Ream, Treasurer
Nancy D’Aniello, Secretary
Traci Naugle, At-Large
Amanda Artim
John Kubinsky
Tim Leventry
Mike Lynch
John Polacek
Ed Porada
Doug Puchko
Linda Thomson (ex-officio)
COLLEGE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Dr. Steven Nunez, President
Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services
Dr. Cynthia Doherty, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Gary Boast, Associate Vice President of Technology & Analytics
Susan Fisher, Associate Vice President of Administration
Omar Strohm, Associate Vice President of Finance
Dr. Barbara Zaborowski, Dean of Library Services and Special Projects
ALMA MATER
Nestled in the Allegheny Highlands is our home. Integrity and excellence, these values here are grown. Education, our foundation, answering the call. Service to communities, opportunity for all!
Fellow scholars, new found friends, we Black Bears roar and sing. Gathered here in harmony and echoed from the peak –Penn Highlands, hail to thee!
