PUNXSUTAWNEY — A Central Mountain High School graduate has completed requirements for graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Academy of Culinary Arts, including a four-month paid externship.

The Academy, located in Punxsutawney, is fully accredited by the American Culinary Federation, the maximum accreditation possible for culinary programs in the United States.

IUP’s 16-month accelerated program includes study for 12 months and a paid externship during the final semester. IUP has a 100 percent externship placement record, with more than 85 percent of students placed in four- and five-star and diamond properties for the externship experience.

Students at the Academy can choose the culinary arts program or the 16-month baking and pastry arts program or can complete both programs.

Zachary Dershem, son of Jason and Kat Dershem, a 2023 graduate of Central Mountain High School, completed the baking and pastry arts program and received a perfect attendance award while at the Academy. His externship was at Penn State University.

Academy of Culinary Arts graduates of either the culinary arts program or the baking and pastry arts program are eligible to complete an associate degree in culinary arts with an additional semester of study at IUP Punxsutawney.

Students who successfully complete the culinary arts or the baking and pastry arts program also have the option to apply up to 38 credits toward a bachelor of science degree in hospitality management at IUP or 32 credits toward a bachelor of science degree in nutrition. Admission into the nutrition track is guaranteed for culinary graduates.

Graduates can also apply 21 credits toward a bachelor of science degree in education with a major in K-12 family and consumer sciences. Graduates of the program can choose to take advantage of applying their credits toward any of these bachelor’s degree options any time within 10 years after culinary graduation. For more information about the Academy of Culinary Arts, visit www.iup.edu/culinary.