Penn Highlands Community College proudly announces that four of its sophomore athletes will be advancing their athletic and academic careers at four-year institutions. This achievement is a testament to both their personal dedication and the strength of the College’s sports programs.
Leading the way is the men’s basketball team, fresh off back-to-back WPCC/Region 20 Championships. Two of the team’s sophomores are moving on to compete at the next level, as well as standout student-athletes from the men’s golf and softball programs.
The athletes advancing to four-year programs include:
Jayvien Brumbaugh, Men’s Golf, Mount Aloysius College (NCAA Division III) Brumbaugh (Mount Union, PA) became one of the most accomplished golfers in program history after earning the team’s first All-Conference honor and placing seventh in both the WPCC and Region 20 Tournaments in 2025-26. He is the first Black Bears golfer to continue their career past Penn Highlands.
Tori Harrison, Softball, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (NCAA Division III) Harrison (Portage, PA) is the second Penn Highlands softball player to advance their career to the four-year level. She posted an average just shy of .300 with a .343 on base percentage and 15 runs scored in 22 games during her lone season with the program. Harrison also tallied two outfield assists and did not record an error while serving as a catcher and centerfielder for the Black Bears.
Byron “BJ” Lavender, Jr., Men’s Basketball, Kentucky Christian University (NAIA) Lavender (Tampa, FL) led the team with 490 total points and topped Region 20 with 88 3-point field goals in 2025-26. He is a two-time WPCC All-Conference selection, a two-time First Team All-Region 20 selection, and was named Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Region 20 Tournament.
Victor Raymond, Men’s Basketball, Brewton-Parker Christian University (NAIA) In his lone season at Penn Highlands after transferring from Big Bend Community College, Raymond (Seattle, WA) earned WPCC All-Conference honors after averaging 12.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. He tallied 13 double-doubles, highlighted by totaling 27 points and 16 rebounds in a win over Butler County Community College on February 12. Raymond was named Region 20 Player of the Month for February.
Since Athletics was reinstated at Penn Highlands in 2010, over 30 student-athletes have moved on to compete at four-year colleges and universities.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is proud to announce that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Spring 2026 semester.
Acosta – Natasha Walker
Altoona – Kelly Adamiak, Yousif Ahmed, Beverly Ilene Amigh Auerbeck, Cayla Bussard, Julius Anthony Colabove, Dawn Marie Cronmiller, Scott Harold Ebersole, David Gray, Morgan D. Hamel, Paula Heffner, Brenda Louise Houck, Kaylee Rose Keith, Sara Krestar, Brooke Elise Lansberry, McKayla Noel, Desiree Roberts, Abigail Elizabeth Rudy, Maria June Stiver, Hana Yagoub
Armagh – Ava Rose Haynal, Kylie Walker
Ashville – Ellie Marie Bender, Kasey Robin Farabaugh, Andrew Joseph Krug, Alainna Lynch, Gina Eve Pettenati
Baltimore – Desmond Handon
Bellefonte – Colleen Kelly
Bellwood – Jennifer Kendall, Emma Price
Berlin – Cathy Marie Kabler, Lilah Eden Topper
Blandburg – Misty L. Feather
Boswell – Lexi Gene Fulmer, Miguel N. Gordon, Chayse Ann Lepley, Syd Alexis Scott, Brooke Renee Stanczyk
Cairnbrook – Belinda Michele Baker
Carrolltown – Erin Behe, Julie Ann Dotts, Leah Joy Frederick
Central City – Tara Leslie Corradini, Gretchen Mae Miller
Champion – Mateo Taggart
Claysburg – Galen Seymour
Clymer – Connor McClain, Natalie Linn Pileski
Coalport – Dallas Joy Dove
Cresson – Angela Diane Noel, Luke Noel, Ian David Rice
Davidsville – Karly G. Brenchak, Dorin Wrangler Cook, Tanner Kate Hunsberger, Jared Lafferty, Isaac William Marsh
DuBois – Brianna Myers
Duncansville – Hunter W. Dawson, Andrew Joseph Higdon, Kamryn Ryen, Isaias Zaragoza Valadez
Duquesne – Darlene Yvonne Dalton
East Freedom – Brandi Jo Thompson
Ebensburg – Shanessa Allean Farren, Wyatt Harshberger, Cody James Sral
Elmora – Gina Marie Lane, Kenzie Grace Mulraney, Gian Anthony Pagano
Everett – Joshua Weidner
Friedens – Zakaria Achouri, Jaydian Scott Deaner, Adam John Dinning
Gallitzin – Noah Michael Clapper, Tagen Jade McConnell
Garrett – Jacob Thomas Keller
Gray – Layla Rachelle Roch
Harrisburg – Patrice Robinson
Hastings – Kaitlyn Marie Drass, Kayla Elizabeth Holtz, Stella Marie Illig, Abby Renee McAnulty, Lakin Nicole Pierce, Krista Rose Watt, Kenadi Elizabeth Weakland
Hollidaysburg – Crystal R. Conner, Brandon Knott, Bilal Yazen Naji, Alyson Elizabeth Thompson, Arlina Whitaker
Huntingdon – Tegan Hanlon, Dylan Edward Miller, Luciana J. Park, Brice H. Pittman, Lauren Nicole Smith
Hyndman – Haylee Nicole Stosick
Imler – Gavin Russell Wicker
Indiana – Bree Lynn Carnahan
Jennerstown – Karley G. Buchanan
Jerome – Kaydence Sophia Forish, Olivia Rose Weyandt
Johnstown – Isabella Anderson, Noah Xavier Anderson, Casey Nathaniel Barrett, Stephanie Beeman, Adalyn Lee Berkey, Noah Christopher Best, Ethan Jacob Box, Eddie Jay Burkett, Emily E. Burkett, Tanasia Mary Burrus, Marissa Camut, Lauryn Carns, Nick Andrew Chonko, Hailee L. Chuklochak, Julia Clement, Ariel Robin Clickner, Parker A. Cornelius, Aniah N. Corson, Dawn Elaine Davis, Nevaeh Day, Nikki Marie DeArmitt, Karlee Nicole DeVico, El Calistro Esparza, Sophie E. Freeman, Owen Andrew Gaunt, Bryanna Janelle Goodman, Ryan Arthur Gorden, Zoe Grant, Savannah Dawn Hawks, Sydney Paige Heinlein, Nolan Harris Hill, Tranise Hill, Cyndi Jean Pierre, Anika Rose Kaminsky, Connor Douglas Kleinosky, Rachel Kohn, Shawn M. Kornprobst, Luis Lorenzo Lache, Joshua K. Law, Charlotte Antionette Lee, Zach Leo Lindemann, Brianna Noel Litzinger, Sage Nevaeh Lodolinski, Ava Grace Manges, Avery Claire Marshall, Jaelyn McClintock, Jalynn McGilvery, Alex Prince Moise, Amanda Nicole Mosorjak, Saige N. Nelson, Travis Niessner, Carlos Peter Nitch, James Joseph O’Connor, Olyvia Opett, Andrew Colin Rand, Carson Michael Reckner, Hayleigh Rietscha, Sandi Joan Rivera, Ian Robison, Brett Christopher Rokita, Cassidy Heleene Rozich, Alissa Michelle Rummel, Essie Lilah Salem, Amara M. Sampson, Makiah Lynn Schartiger, Sabrina Marie Shaffer, Meghan J. Steigert, Tara Grace Taylor, Arissa Raeann Thompson, Samuel Tomljanovic, Allison L. Trigona, Ethan Matthew Usrey, Simone M. Veney, Sohayla Vincent, Emma Jane Weicht, Josh Werner, Gabrielle E. Wilfong, Tavin Josef Willason, Steven Joseph Winfield, Braydon C. Winkelman, Maleigha Jo Younkin
Lancaster – Joshua Uko
Lebanon – Mikayla Sky Lambie
Ligonier – Jeana Bianco
Lilly – Greg Asberry
Lock Haven – Iesha Marie Walter
Loretto – Andrew Robert Dillon, Alison Rose Yahner
Manns Choice – Cody John Miller
Mapleton Depot – Jacob Daniel Buckley
Marion Center – Mason Garrett Pearce
Martinsburg – Hannah E. Greenleaf, Lilly Marie Hardman, Kaitlin Marie Smith
Meyersdale – Ashlyn Paige Clayton, Aubrey Joy Green
Mineral Point – Isabelle Grace Bearer, Jesse Johnson
Mingoville – Cecelia Christine McGovern
Monongahela – Shelby Criss
Mount Union – Dane A. Varner, Sarah K. Varner
Nanty-Glo – Theresa Byron, Christopher Rhoades, Teague Spade
New Eagle – Brianna Scassera
New Enterprise – Cayden Lee Garman
New Paris – Alex Crist
Newry – Travis John Molliver
Northern Cambria – Joshua Jeffrey Allen, Kenny Alexander Christoff, Mandy Perrone, Justin P. Radcliffe, Jonah Stivanelli, Emmy Grace Waugh, Logan John Weymer
Williamsburg – Logan Charles Brantner, Kayla Marie Kephart
Windber – Madison Belle Cominsky, Abby Marie Gordon, Aubrey Augustina Hissem, Laiken Rose Hunter, Trinity Jade Klucik, Sydney Rose Reed, Cayden Taylor Thompson, Kat Lynn Walker
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is hosting a series of three summer open houses with a special focus on the new Cambria County Smart Start Promise Program. These events will offer prospective students and their families an in-depth look at how local residents can achieve their educational goals with significantly reduced financial barriers.
These open houses will be held on May 20, June 24, and July 22 at the College’s Richland Campus, located at 101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA 15904. All three open houses will begin at 6 PM.
Attendees will go through the admissions and financial aid processes, learn about activities, academics, and athletics, take a tour, and have one-on-one conversations with an admissions counselor to discuss their futures, as well as gain valuable information about Smart Start.
Launched in April 2026, the Cambria County Smart Start Promise Program is a game-changing initiative that covers all tuition and comprehensive fees for up to 30 college credits during a student’s first year at Penn Highlands. Eligible students include recent Cambria County high school graduates, offering the opportunity for 100% free tuition for an entire academic year.
To make the process even smoother, students can complete a free admission application at the end of each event.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will hold a Commencement Ceremony for its Thirty-first Graduating Class on Friday, May 15th, at 6 PM in the Richland Campus Auditorium (101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA).
Student Senate President and Student Trustee Brian Lanham, of Johnstown, PA, will give this year’s Commencement Address. He will obtain an Associate of Applied Science in Business Management during the ceremony.
Lanham will share his message with the over 225 graduates planning to attend. Also addressing the graduates will be Penn Highlands Community College President Dr. Steve Nunez, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees Dr. Janet Grady, Cambria County President Commissioner Scott Hunt, and Faculty Senate President Dr. Robert M. Clark.
In addition to awarding associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates at the ceremony, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will also present the Distinguished Graduate Award. This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to Pennsylvania Highlands and the surrounding community, while achieving outstanding academic performance.
For those unable to attend, a Commencement live stream is available on the College’s YouTube channel.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the signing of an articulation agreement with Alfred State College, giving Business Administration graduates a new option to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the field.
Alfred State, located in Alfred, New York, is the first college in the state of New York to establish an academic partnership with Penn Highlands Community College.
“We are truly excited to work with Alfred State,” stated Michelle Stumpf, Dean of Student Engagement & Success. “Students will appreciate the opportunity to expand their education at such a beautiful campus just across the Pennsylvania/New York border.”
Penn Highlands students who have graduated with a Business Administration (A.S.) degree, fulfilled at least five of the ten State University of New York (SUNY) general education categories, and achieved a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 are guaranteed the opportunity to apply for admission into the Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree program at Alfred State with full junior status.
Students who do not meet all the above criteria will be evaluated for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.
For fall semester admits, students who graduate from Penn Highlands and have met all specified acceptance criteria are guaranteed the opportunity to earn the B.B.A. in Business Administration within five additional semesters of normal coursework through Alfred State.
Courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better for the credits to transfer.
