GACTC chief looking to build relationships for center
Monday Spotlight: Zernick took over director role in 2025
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Nicole Zernick said she didn't see herself becoming a teacher let alone the executive director of the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center.
Zernick was recently recognized by Pennsylvania Business Central as one of the top women CEOs and leaders for 2026.
"It's an honor and tribute that should go to the individuals I work with, you cannot be successful without a good team. It's always humbling to be recognized among a lot of great women. I think the only way you get this is to make sure you surround yourself with great employees," Zernick said.
After graduating from Portage High School in 1997, Zernick went on to Saint Francis University where she received a bachelor's degree in marketing and management in 2001.
"I then realized that sales was not for me. When I was in high school one of my teachers told me I would be a great teacher. I had no interest in starting out in education. Wherever your path takes you, you build upon your skill set and make connections," Zernick said.
She received a master's degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2003.
Zernick started her career as a business education teacher at Richland High School. She then got married and moved to Belle Vernon, and became a business education teacher at Bethel Park High School. While there she became certified for cooperative education. Her position combined business and education.
In 2007, Zernick moved back to the area to be closer to family and took a job in the Altoona Area School District as a business education teacher.
In 2013, she took a position at the GACTC and over her tenure she has served as continuing education coordinator, CTE coordinator and assistant executive director before being named executive director on July 1, 2025.
"When I became coop coordinator that opened up my eyes to see students learn career paths and see business and education working together," Zernick said.
The promotion to executive director was something Zernick said she never imagined.
"I loved being in the classroom, this gave me a more global perspective and helped grow leaders and help more of our students. I always wanted to learn something new and explore new opportunities, that was something I was interested in," Zernick said.
Seeing the success of students is what she enjoys most about her job.
"I enjoy seeing students come in ninth or tenth grade and develop the passion and be successful, see what they learn here and how it translates to their careers and put that into action," Zernick said.
Zernick said she believes she is best known for the amount of care and passion she brings to the position.
"I am not afraid to think outside of the box, building connections with businesses and other CTC leaders to build on relationships to build more opportunities for our students," Zernick said.
She said her parents, John and Renee Bednarski, and her peers have been her role models over the years.
As far as awards, her contributions earned her the Blair County Chamber's Judith A. Rossi Educator of the Year Award in 2021 and the Middle States Association's Susan K. Nicklas Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2022.
Zernick serves on the Blair County Chamber Board of Directors, Chamber Foundation Board, as a Chamber ambassador and on the Middle States Association CESS Committee and Penn Highlands Blair Center Advisory Council.
Those in the community said Zernick has been a key player at the GACTC.
"She has had a very positive impact, she has done a real turnaround at the school. They (staff) like Nicole and know she is someone they can go to with a problem and that she will find the solution to the problem. She has just brought a great change to the CTC," said Kathy Burch, GACTC board president. "She is very involved in getting the community to understand the goals of vo-tech education and the workplace."
Danielle Mehalick, GACTC business manager, said Zernick is a strong, selfless leader who is deeply passionate about education and creating opportunities for our students.
"Nicole has made a meaningful and lasting impact by connecting our students, school, local businesses, and community in ways that create real opportunities. Through her leadership and our Office of Work Based Learning, cooperative education continues to expand, providing students with valuable real-world experiences while giving local businesses a platform to invest in their future workforce," Mehalick said.
Gwen Fisher, site administrator for PA Career Link Blair and Bedford counties, said Zernick is one of those people who makes partnership feel easy.
"She is genuine, thoughtful and remarkably good at bringing people together without needing to be the loudest voice in the room. She listens, she follows through, and she seems to have a real instinct for recognizing where people and organizations can help one another," Fisher said.
Fisher said GACTC is evolving under Zernick's leadership, and the community can feel it.
"She has helped strengthen the bridge between education and the working world and for PA CareerLink, she has been an exceptional partner. She understands that schools, employers, workforce organizations and the community are not separate pieces; they are part of the same ecosystem. She has helped make GACTC an increasingly important part of that connection. Perhaps her greatest impact is the sense of forward motion she has created. There is an energy around GACTC, a feeling that it is growing, reaching outward and becoming even more connected to the community it serves," she said.
Ron Darbeau, chancellor and dean at Penn State Altoona, said Zernick has played a key role in the education community.
"Through meaningful collaboration, she fosters a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement. Nicole's ability to build strong partnerships and champion student-centered initiatives has elevated opportunities for career and technical education. Her commitment, creativity, and strategic vision continue to drive organizational growth in the career and technical space as well as a lasting community impact,"
Darbeau said. "Nicole demonstrates novel, visionary, aspirational, successful and highly collaborative leadership at the Greater Altoona Career and Technical Center. She brings a refreshingly forward-thinking perspective that embraces innovation, strengthens educational programs, and prepares students for success in an evolving workforce."
Others also speak highly of Zernick.
"What sets Nicole apart is her ability to stay mission-driven without ever losing the human touch. She bridges boardrooms and community needs seamlessly, always ensuring that progress translates into positive changes for our region," said Linda Stotler, Blair County Chamber of Commerce marketing communications manager.
"Career and Technical Education is extremely valuable to the future of our labor force in Blair County, and Nicole has long been a great advocate. Her leadership of the GACTC is sure to be another step forward in teaching our workforce the skills needed for what's next," said Matt Stuckey, president of Stuckey Automotive.
Meanwhile, Zernick hopes to be around the GACTC for years to come.
"I would love the opportunity to stay here until I retire. From the first week I was here, it felt like home. I hope to have the opportunity to lead the GACTC," Zernick said.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.