Newsroom

Police Academy Welcomes Largest Cadet Class In Over A Decade, Invests In Equipment & Supplies

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy Cadet Class No. 92 officially began its training in September, with the group setting a new benchmark for the program and its future success.

Class No. 92 consists of 18 cadets, the highest starting attendance in Penn Highlands Police Academy history and the highest number of cadets in the Academy in over 10 years, dating back to when the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center maintained it.

The Police Academy saw key metrics, including inquiries, applications, physical fitness tests, and successful candidates, all roughly double compared to previous years.

“This was in part due to huge recruiting efforts by Assistant Directors Cory Fairman and Kevin Gaudlip,” stated Cregg Dibert, Director of Police Academy & Campus Security. “We’re actively responding to inquiries as they come in. We’ve also been proactive, attending high school events and job fairs. We’re always open to giving a presentation to any interested parties.”

Additionally, to attract prospective cadets, the Police Academy has upgraded its training equipment and supplies, investing over $100,000 through a Perkins Grant. As a result of these investments, cadets are now only responsible for tuition and uniform expenses, making this a more affordable career path.

The length of Academy instruction was also shortened from 11.5 months to 9.5 months by making the training schedule five days per week instead of four.

“It feels great to walk into the classroom and see it nearly filled,” Dibert stated. “We hope to continue this trend and help fill the job vacancies within ours and the surrounding areas. This would foster safer communities for the public and alleviate the burden on officers within the department.”

According to statistics, there are more than 1,500 job vacancies at municipal police departments across the state of Pennsylvania, with up to another 1,600 more officers having the possibility of retirement in 2025.

In the three years since Penn Highlands took control of the Police Academy, more than 90% of the cadets have earned employment upon graduation.

Click here for more information on the Police Academy.

College Recognized For Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Efforts

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for the College’s commitment to preventing suicide and promoting mental health resources for learners.

Penn Highlands was one of 11 postsecondary institutions to be added to the list of schools designated as a PA CARES campus. Since May, the PDE has named 26 total institutions of higher education as PA CARES campuses for their work to ensure students have access to support and resources to stay safe, healthy, and well.

“As a community college, we strive to create a culture of care among our students, faculty, and staff,” stated Bridget Hall, Penn Highlands Counselor. “We know that students’ mental health matters for their focus in the classroom, success in courses, and retention from orientation to graduation. By sharing resources and information with our students, we cultivate that culture of care and work with students to ensure that they receive the support necessary to build success inside and outside of the classroom.”

PA CARES, which stands for “Connect, Assess, Respond, Encourage, Support,” recognizes postsecondary institutions that have implemented Act 110 mental health and suicide prevention plans, enabling school staff to engage with the campus community and empowering students to seek help when they need it.

This initiative furthers the efforts of the Shapiro Administration to promote mental health in Pennsylvania’s school communities.

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death on America’s college campuses, a statistic that is sobering, tragic, and preventable,” stated Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “Pennsylvania’s PA CARES campuses are taking a proactive approach, rooted in compassion and humanity, to meaningfully engage with learners and empower them to not just live, but thrive.”

To become a PA CARES campus, postsecondary institutions must provide:

• Contact information for national, state, and local suicide prevention hotlines.
• Crisis intervention services, including contact details for trained mental health professionals focused on suicide prevention, available 24/7.
• Access to mental health services, including health promotion, wellness, counseling, crisis services, and local providers.
• Multimedia resources on mental health and suicide prevention, including warning signs, free services, and mobile apps.
• Student communication plans for outreach on mental health services and suicide prevention.
• Post-intervention plans to communicate with students, staff, and parents after a student suicide.

If you or someone you know is struggling and needs support, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available. You can connect with them at https://www.988lifeline.org/.

Foundation’s Annual Chef Auction Raises Over $40,000 For Student Scholarships

For the third year in a row, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation hosted a successful Chef Auction at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, raising over $40,000 to support local students pursuing higher education.

Since the Foundation took over hosting the Chef Auction in 2023, the event has raised a total of more than $150,000.

All proceeds will benefit both the Supporting Scholars Fund and future culinary arts scholarships at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. The Supporting Scholars Fund comprises three distinct scholarships awarded annually to multiple recipients: the Destination Graduation, Emerging Leader, and Presidential Scholarships.

Thirteen culinary students, as well as Chef and Culinary instructor John Dusack, prepared food for the opening reception. In addition, Supporting Scholars Gina Pettenati and Syd Scott assisted in preparation and staffing of the event.

“We are grateful to all those who helped make this event possible,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “The Chef Auction has not only been a great fundraiser for the College, but it has also enabled our culinary students to showcase the skills and experiences they acquired in the classroom, which they can apply in the workforce.”

Eight restaurants participated in providing dinner for more than 150 attendees, with some also supplying packages for the live auction. These participants included Balance Restaurant, Big Spring Spirits, Conemaugh Medical Center, Harrigan’s Cafe & Wine Deck, Omni Bedford Springs, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Tulunes In The City, and Viva Verde.

The event consisted of 20 silent auction items and eight live auction packages to bid on. Five luxury vacations were awarded in a separate auction, and a 50/50 drawing was held. Overall, more than $25,000 was raised, which was paired with a $15,000 donation from the 1889 Foundation to achieve the grand total.

HHS was the Top Chef sponsor for the event, while UPMC Altoona and Worklink Staffing served as Master Chef sponsors. Four of this year’s participating restaurants have already committed to attending next year’s Chef Auction.

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation actively pursues financial support for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and its students. It achieves this by cultivating relationships, raising funds, and expertly managing resources.

About Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation (www.pennhighlands.edu/foundation)
Established in 1995, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is a non-profit educational trust under Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation seeks and secures financial support to advance the mission of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College by fostering relationships and managing resources. It focuses on providing scholarships, supporting academic programs, and promoting faculty and staff development to meet the College’s and community’s educational needs. Through donations, events, grants, and deferred giving, the Foundation enriches student opportunities and strengthens community partnerships. 

Students Support Breast Cancer Awareness Through Event & Donate To Local Care Center

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s Supporting Scholars and Women’s Volleyball team members united for their third annual “Pink Out” fundraiser on October 22 and 23, dedicated to supporting Breast Cancer Awareness.

The event coincided with the final home game of the Women’s Volleyball team, where students participated in various activities, such as making posters, hosting a two-day bake sale, and selling bracelets and ribbons.

Through these efforts, the students raised $669.50, nearly doubling last year’s amount. These funds were then donated to the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center in Windber, PA. Over the three years this event has taken place, students have contributed over $1,300 to the Center.

The Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center is renowned for its proactive breast cancer care, employing risk-reduction techniques and early detection and treatment to provide exceptional care to individuals in the Johnstown and Windber area.

“The students look forward to this fundraiser every year,” stated Nicole Wright, Student Services Assistant. “They dedicated two weeks to preparations, ensuring the event’s success and effectively raising breast cancer awareness. It’s especially meaningful to them knowing their efforts support such an important cause.”

The National Breast Cancer Foundation reports that an estimated 320,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025. However, advances in early detection methods and ongoing support have significantly improved survival rates, with a 99 percent five-year relative survival rate when breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages.

New Black Bears Training Facility Supports Wrestling Program & Police Academy

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the completion of its new Black Bears Training Facility, located at the Richland Campus.

The Black Bears Training Facility will serve as the main practice area for the student-athletes of the Penn Highlands Men’s and Women’s Wrestling teams, as well as a self-defense instruction space for the Police Academy.

“Student-athletes thrive when they have access to dedicated, high-quality training environments that support both their physical development and competitive goals,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands President. “The Black Bears Training Facility represents our commitment to providing student-athletes with the resources they need to excel, while also serving the broader needs of our campus community, like the training of our Police Academy cadets.”

The 1,768-square-foot space, located next to the Richland Campus Main Gymnasium, features a 68-foot-long wrestling mat that spans the entire 26-foot-wide floor, providing seamless wall-to-wall coverage. Two 6-foot-tall pads have also been installed on each adjacent wall.

The floor showcases nine wrestling circles, with a prominent central circle holding the College’s primary athletics logo, surrounded by eight smaller circles for additional training space.

“This facility represents more than just a place to train. It’s a major step in building a strong, competitive, and sustainable program,” stated Willie Harris, Penn Highlands Head Men’s and Women’s Wrestling Coach. “The new room will allow us to train at a high level, attract talented student-athletes, and create an environment where our wrestlers can grow both on and off the mat.”

Wrestling at Penn Highlands kicks off its inaugural season this fall, with official practices already occurring in the space.

Meanwhile, the Police Academy’s Class of 2026 began training on September 8, welcoming a group of 18 cadets.

“We are excited to open this new training room, which will serve as a cornerstone for the growth and success of our wrestling team and police academy cadets,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities & Athletics. “It’s an exciting time to introduce our wrestling program and provide both the team and the Academy with a dedicated space to call their own.”