Benjamin Estell Appointed To College’s Board Of Trustees
Posted September 11, 2025 at 1:56 pmPennsylvania Highlands Community College has appointed Benjamin Estell to the Board of Trustees as the College’s Centre County representative.
Estell will take over for former board member Ralph Stewart, who resigned in April. His duties as the Centre County representative will be to bring forward the interests of the region regarding educational advancement.
Estell’s initial term will expire on July 31, 2026, at which time he will be eligible for a three-year reappointment.
“Benjamin Estell brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of regional collaboration to the Penn Highlands Board of Trustees,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Pennsylvania Highlands President. “His leadership in Centre County will be a tremendous asset to the College as we continue advancing our mission and shared goals across all the communities we serve, including Centre County. I look forward to working with Benjamin in the years ahead.”
Estell currently serves as the Executive Director of the Centre Region Council of Governments in State College. Prior to that, he was the Dormont (PA) Borough Manager from 2015-24 and the Service-Safety Director for the City of East Liverpool (OH) from 2008-15.
“I am honored to join the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees and to represent Centre County in this important role,” Estell stated. “Penn Highlands plays a vital part in expanding access to affordable, high-quality education and workforce training across our region. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow trustees, the administration, faculty, and staff to support student success, strengthen community partnerships, and help the college continue to thrive as a resource for learners of all ages.”
Estell holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, where he earned the UNC Kenan-Flagler Leadership Initiative Designation. He also holds a Bachelor’s in French Language and Culture from Ohio State University.