(Brockway, PA) A 36-year-old mother of three preteen daughters who is pursuing an associate degree in a BC3 @ Brockway career program has been recognized for her classroom achievements by an international academic honor society.

Kayla Blystone, of Punxsutawney, was honored as a 2026 Phi Theta Kappa All-Pennsylvania Academic Team workforce pathway scholar during a Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges’ awards ceremony April 7 in Harrisburg.

Workforce pathway scholars must be seeking a two-year credential at a commission member such as BC3, have completed at least 12 credits by December and have earned a cumulative grade-point average of at least a 3.5 in the past five years.

 

“She is always seeking extra learning opportunities, even when they are not required. She’s very curious. Kayla just loves to learn.”

- Kelsey Snyder, BC3 @ Brockway faculty member, about registered nursing student Kayla Blystone

 

Blystone worked nine years as a medical secretary. She enrolled at BC3 @ Brockway in spring 2024 as a health care science student and was accepted in fall 2025 into its selective-admissions program in registered nursing, a career choice influenced by watching the care her grandmother received while in failing health.

“During her final stages of life, she was cared for by an exceptional team of nurses whose compassion, skill and kindness made a profound impact on her and our family,” Blystone said. “Witnessing the comfort and dignity they provided inspired me to pursue a career where I could offer the same level of care and support to others during vulnerable moments.”

The married mother of daughters ages 11, 10 and 7 has earned 51 credits at BC3 @ Brockway and has achieved recognition on BC3 president’s list once and on the college’s dean’s list twice.

 

“Our colleges offer programs that prepare individuals for a wide range of careers, including those in fields such as health care, information technology, manufacturing and skilled trades, areas that are vital to our state’s economy.”

- Lil Nesbit, PTK All-Pennsylvania state adviser and coordinator, Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges administrator

 

Blystone qualified in fall 2024 for membership in Rho Phi, BC3’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. New members must be enrolled in two-year colleges and programs and have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 through at least 12 credits toward an associate degree or six credits toward a one-year certificate.

“I know what kind of a great student Kayla is,” said Kelsey Snyder, a BC3 @ Brockway nursing instructor. “She is one of those students who when you ask a question, she is always trying to answer it or asks questions as to why the answer is what it is.

“She is always seeking extra learning opportunities, even when they are not required. She’s very curious. Kayla just loves to learn.”

BC3 @ Brockway was established in Jefferson County in 2013 to serve Clarion, Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson — Pennsylvania counties underrepresented by higher education. It enrolls 184 students ages 18 to 56 this spring, according to Dr. Jill Martin Rend, BC3 @ Brockway director.

Nearly 84 percent are pursuing the two-year career programs in which students can develop the skills needed to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.

“Our students know a lot of jobs in our area require only a two-year degree,” Rend said. “They can come to us, get through in two years, not have a lot of debt and go straight to work in good jobs. With the degrees we have, whether in business or health care, they are going to make good wages.”

BC3 @ Brockway’s two-year career programs in registered nursing and business management align with high-priority occupations in Pennsylvania, according to the state Department of Labor & Industry.

 

“My goal is to help people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives and to make a meaningful difference in their outcomes. I want to provide compassionate, skilled care and be a source of comfort, support, and hope for patients and their families.”

- Kayla Blystone, BC3 @ Brockway registered nursing student

 

Lil Nesbit is the PTK All-Pennsylvania state adviser and coordinator, and executive assistant to the president and chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.

“Community colleges are an essential part of Pennsylvania’s higher education system, providing accessible, affordable and high-quality education to students from all walks of life,” Nesbit said.

“Our colleges offer programs that prepare individuals for a wide range of careers, including those in fields such as health care, information technology, manufacturing and skilled trades, areas that are vital to our state’s economy.”

Blystone serves as secretary of BC3 @ Brockway’s 39-member Level 1 nursing club and was among students from Clarion, Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson counties to receive one of the BC3 Education Foundation’s record 164 scholarships in 2025-2026, according to Bobbi Jo Cornetti, the foundation’s scholarship and development coordinator.

Blystone received the $1,000 John and Joann Billek Memorial Scholarship and intends to graduate from BC3 @ Brockway debt-free in spring 2027.

“Graduating debt-free will allow me to begin my career without financial burden and contribute to my household right away,” Blystone said. “It will provide peace of mind and financial stability as I transition into professional practice and support my family.”

 

Goal: “Make a meaningful difference”

She plans to work in an emergency department or in a neonatal intensive care unit.

“My goal,” Blystone said, “is to help people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives and to make a meaningful difference in their outcomes. I want to provide compassionate, skilled care and be a source of comfort, support, and hope for patients and their families.”

Serena Horstman, a BC3 criminology student from Penn Township, Butler County; and Taylor Voloch, a psychology student from West Sunbury, Butler County, were also named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2026 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team.