Graduates of BC3 @ Brockway’s registered nursing program in 2026 are, top row from left, Marley Anders, Justin Bales, Kristin Beningo and Haylee DeBerti. Second row, from left, Morrigan Decker, Samarie Dinger, Brandi Dixon and Angel Frantz. Third row, from left, Shayleigh Gulvas, Sadey Henderson, Jessie Hetrick and Crystal James. Fourth row, from left, Rebekah Kuhar, Mary Leffew and Makayla London. Fifth row, from left, Katie Maines, Julia McAdoo, Tammy McConnell and Ashley Naugle. Sixth row, from left, Ashley Neal, Brooke Newton, Liz Porrin and Kristi Potter. Seventh row, from left, Lindsey Reiter, Katie Richardson, Helana Rowlands and Winter Shobert. Eighth row, from left, Belinda Tinari, Elayne Weiss, Parker Wickett and Tiffany Yount.
(Reynoldsville, PA) Katie Maines decided to pursue a career as a registered nurse when she watched the care her brother received as a patient in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Marley Anders, because “Nursing, to me, is more than a profession. It’s a calling. It’s about showing up for people on their hardest days.”
Ashley Neal, “by a desire to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives during some of their most vulnerable moments.”
Parker Wickett, because “I love helping people” and Rebekah Kuhar, because “I have a passion for caring for people.”
Maines, Anders, Neal, Wickett and Kuhar are among a record 31 graduates in 2026 of a BC3 @ Brockway associate degree career program in registered nursing that addresses a regional shortage in the high-priority occupation.
Graduates report signing
bonuses up to $30K
Students in BC3 @ Brockway associate degree career programs such as registered nursing can develop the skills needed to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.
At least 18 in BC3 @ Brockway’s Class of 2026 in registered nursing had accepted positions at medical facilities in Clearfield or Jefferson counties before graduation.
“The program,” said Julia Carney, dean of BC3’s Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health, “allows students to complete their nursing degree in two years and to come out making very good money.”
Graduates of BC3 @ Brockway’s program in 2026 report signing bonuses reaching $30,000 and hourly pay as high as $32.50.
Registered nurse is a high-priority occupation in BC3 @ Brockway’s service area of Clarion, Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson counties, according to the state Department of Labor & Industry.
High-priority occupations are those that are in demand by employers, have evolving skill needs and are likely to provide family-sustaining wages, according to the state Department of Labor & Industry.
BC3 @ Brockway
R.N. alums reach 121
Butler County Community College established BC3 @ Brockway in Jefferson County in 2013 to serve Clarion, Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson — Pennsylvania counties underrepresented by higher education.
BC3 in 2018 launched registered nursing at BC3 @ Brockway, BC3's only location other its main campus to offer the 70-credit selective-admissions program.
BC3 @ Brockway’s Class of 2026 represents seven western Pennsylvania counties and brings to 121 the number who have graduated from the program since 2020.
“The program has strengthened my communication, critical thinking and teamwork abilities while preparing me for real-world health care settings,” said Haylee DeBerti, of Brockway.
“Overall, it has helped me feel ready to begin my career as a registered nurse.”
Lindsey Reiter, of Reynoldsville, said “I was introduced to many different units and specialties to see and learn what type of nurse I wanted to be.”
Added Justin Bales, of Clearfield, “Through clinical experiences, simulations, labs and classroom learning, I gained hands-on experience that helped me feel more prepared for the fast-paced health care environment.
“The instructors pushed us to grow professionally while also supporting us throughout the process, which helped build my confidence as I prepare to begin my nursing career.”
“The instructors pushed us to grow professionally while also supporting us throughout the process, which helped build my confidence as I prepare to begin my nursing career.”
-- Justin Bales, BC3 @ Brockway Class of 2026 registered nursing graduate
Seats reserved for graduates are shown Monday, May 11, 2026, in Bellamauro Social Banquet Hall in Reynoldsville, where BC3 @ Brockway’s record 31-member Class of 2026 in registered nursing were recognized for completing the associate degree career program that addresses a regional shortage in the high-priority occupation.
“Our professors helped us through when we didn’t believe in ourselves and together we kept each other going. … Having these friendships and support was a huge factor to my health care education.”
-- Mary Leffew, BC3 @ Brockway Class of 2026 registered nursing graduate
Graduates light a candle Monday, May 11, 2026, in Bellamauro Social Banquet Hall in Reynoldsville, where BC3 @ Brockway’s record 31-member Class of 2026 in registered nursing were recognized for completing the associate degree career program that addresses a regional shortage in the high-priority occupation.
Penn Highlands Healthcare, based in DuBois, in 2022 established a partnership with BC3 @ Brockway in which it sponsors the tuition of eligible students in exchange for their signing an employment contract to work for the health care provider following graduation.
“We serve as a developing pipeline to Penn Highlands, supporting a system that continues to grow,” Carney said. “Through our programs, we are able to prepare individuals for careers that are both in demand and essential to meeting the workforce needs of the region.”
Penn Highlands sponsored at least 18 graduates in BC3 @ Brockway’s Class of 2026, bringing to approximately 48 the number since 2023.
Mary Leffew, of Marienville, participated in Penn Highlands’ program and said her classmates and BC3 @ Brockway faculty “created a small family throughout this journey. We have laughed, cried, stressed out together.
“Our professors helped us through when we didn’t believe in ourselves and together we kept each other going. … Having these friendships and support was a huge factor to my health care education.”
Nine graduates in BC3 @ Brockway’s Class of 2026 received scholarships in the past two academic years from the BC3 Education Foundation.
Belinda Tinari received financial awards totaling $5,104; Maines, $4,965; Julia McAdoo, $3,675; Ashley Naugle, $2,100; Makayla London, $1,565; Tiffany Yount, $1,405; Anders, $1,295; Brandi Dixon, $1,275; and Helana Rowlands, $485.
The BC3 Education Foundation in 2026-2027 plans to award 33 scholarships to BC3 registered nursing students.
Grandparents, parents, significant others, children or BC3 faculty members affixed the pins to the graduates during a ceremony May 11 at the Bellamauro Social Banquet Hall in Reynoldsville.
Maines received the clinical nurse award, which acknowledges a graduate’s exceptional clinical skills, compassionate care, and unwavering dedication to patients and to the nursing profession.
Graduates of BC3 @ Brockway’s Class of 2026 in registered nursing are:
Armstrong County: Samarie Dinger, Distant.
Clarion County: Elayne Weiss, New Bethlehem
Clearfield County: Marley Anders, Brandi Dixon, Shayleigh Gulvas, Ashley Naugle, Liz Porrin and Helana Rowlands, all of DuBois; Justin Bales, Clearfield; Makayla London, Troutville; Katie Maines, Rockton and Angel Frantz, Olanta.
Elk County: Parker Wickett, St. Marys.
Forest County: Mary Leffew, Marienville.
Indiana County: Ashley Neal, Rossiter.
Jefferson County: Haylee DeBerti, Morrigan Decker, Rebekah Kuhar and Brooke Newton, all of Brockway; Jessie Hetrick, Brookville; Belinda Tinari, Corsica; Tammy McConnell, Falls Creek; Crystal James, Winter Shobert, Tiffany Yount and Julia McAdoo, all of Punxsutawney; Kristin Beningo, Kristi Potter, Lindsey Reiter and Katie Richardson, all of Reynoldsville; and Sadey Henderson, Sykesville.
General applications for fall 2027 consideration in BC3 @ Brockway’s registered nursing program will be accepted Aug. 1 to Dec. 1.