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Women’s Volleyball Unveils 2025 Game Schedule

The Pennsylvania Highlands Women’s Volleyball team has released its 2025 season schedule, consisting of 15 matches spanning August through October.

The Black Bears will play seven of their contests at home. Penn Highlands begins the season on the road at Butler County Community College on Friday, August 29 at 6 PM. The home opener will be Tuesday, September 2 against Westmoreland County Community College.

Home games will be played inside the main gymnasium at the College’s Richland Campus. All scheduled dates and times are subject to change. The full home schedule is as follows:

After the regular season, the Black Bears will host the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference/Region 20 Tournament on October 25. The winner becomes the conference and regional champion and will advance to the Mid-Atlantic District Championship for a chance to earn a berth in the NJCAA National Tournament.

For the full schedule and more details on volleyball, click here.

Personal Enrichment Classes Schedule Set For Fall 2025

Community Education at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has released its Fall 2025 class schedule, packed with opportunities for personal enrichment and hands-on learning. Running from September 10 to November 19, this lineup features 20 non-credit classes designed to inspire creativity, build skills, and connect the community.  

The community can choose from classes within three subjects: Arts & Crafts, Computers, and Food & Baking. For those looking to dive deeper, the program offers bundled package options, providing discounts for participants who enroll in multiple related classes.  

“These classes offer people the chance to gain some new experiences,” stated Matthew Pudliner, Pennsylvania Highlands Continuing Education Manager. “Participants enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, and often large groups attend together, making the experience even more enjoyable for everyone. These classes also foster connections, with many attendees forming new friendships along the way.” 

Several exciting new classes have been introduced to the schedule since spring, offering fresh opportunities to learn and explore. These include three Cricut classes, a new calligraphy class, and a class dedicated to the use of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Attendees can register for each class up to one week before the start date.

Click here to view the full class list.

Penn Highlands Recognized Among USA TODAY®’s Top 250 Vocational Schools

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has earned a spot on USA TODAY®’s list of the Top 250 Vocational Schools in the United States for 2025. This esteemed recognition highlights the college’s commitment to delivering high-quality workforce education and preparing students for success in today’s dynamic workforce.

Pennsylvania Highlands was one of only 12 schools in Pennsylvania to make the list, and one of only three public institutions to receive this recognition in the state.

The rankings, developed in collaboration with the research firm Statista, were determined based on key performance metrics, including graduation rate, graduates’ initial salary, the time required to pay off net costs, social mobility, and diversity.

Each institution on the list received a score based on the parameters, with Pennsylvania Highlands receiving 4 out of 5 stars. The final rankings highlighted the top performers, with those scoring in the top 10% earning a five-star rating, while those in the top 25% received a four-star distinction.

These measures highlight Pennsylvania Highlands’ dedication to fostering academic achievement and equipping students with the skills required to thrive in their respective fields.

“We are honored to be recognized among the nation’s top vocational schools,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands President. “This distinction reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, career-focused education that meets the needs of today’s workforce. However, it is important to remember that we also remain equally dedicated to offering exceptional transfer degrees that prepare students for continued academic success at four-year colleges and universities. With our low tuition and strong focus on minimizing student debt, Pennsylvania Highlands delivers outstanding value and opportunity for learners across our region, no matter their academic goals.”

Pennsylvania Highlands serves as a vital resource for practical and career-focused education in West Central Pennsylvania, offering more than 40 academic programs that address key workforce needs in fields such as healthcare, technology, cybersecurity, culinary arts, business and other skilled trades.

The College’s emphasis on affordability, quality, and accessibility aims to attract students from diverse backgrounds and prepare them to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.

Click here to see the full list of schools named and other details on USA Today®’s website. 

Four Athletes & Softball Team Receive NJCAA All-Academic Honors

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has unveiled its 2024-25 All-Academic Teams, celebrating the outstanding academic achievements of student-athletes nationwide.

This year, an impressive 13,915 student-athletes earned recognition for maintaining a GPA of 3.60 or higher. Among them were four representatives from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. Additionally, the Black Bears softball team achieved the distinction of being named an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year, joining an elite group of 1,347 teams honored for their scholastic excellence.

Student-athletes who recorded a 4.0 GPA were named to the First Team. Second Team honors were given for a GPA between 3.80 and 3.99, while Third Team sits between 3.60 and 3.79. Teams that earned a 3.0 Combined GPA or higher were named to their respective list.

The honorees from Pennsylvania Highlands include:

Second Team

Third Team

Team Awards

“We’re always proud of our student-athletes’ accomplishments, but their success in the classroom is especially meaningful,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “Earning a 3.6 GPA or higher requires incredible dedication and discipline. Balancing classes, homework, practices, workouts, games, and long nights of travel is no easy task, and their hard work truly deserves recognition.”

The Black Bears softball team has earned an NJCAA Academic Team of the Year distinction in all three seasons of competition.

Since the reinstatement of athletics at Pennsylvania Highlands in 2010, a total of 73 student-athletes have earned NJCAA All-Academic honors, highlighting the College’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field.

About Black Bear Athletics
Black Bear Athletics, the official sports program of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, is dedicated to fostering excellence both on and off the field. As a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Black Bear Athletics offers a diverse range of sports, including basketball, bowling, cross country, esports, golf, softball, volleyball, and wrestling. 
 
Our mission is to help student-athletes succeed in sports, academics, and life. By focusing on teamwork, leadership, time management, and discipline, we prepare them for success in all areas. 
 
Black Bear Athletics is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) and NJCAA Region 20, competing against programs across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Non-Profit Learning Center To Host Partnership Symposium

Non-profit organizations are the lifeblood of our communities, but navigating workforce shortages, budget constraints, and funding cuts has never been more challenging. To address these pressing issues, the Non-Profit Learning Center at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is hosting a one-day symposium designed to help non-profits overcome obstacles and strengthen their impact.

The symposium will take place on Wednesday, August 13, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM in the Large Group Instruction (LGI) classroom at the College’s Richland Campus (101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA 15904).

Coinciding with National Non-Profit Day, the symposium provides agencies with essential strategies and resources for workforce recruitment, effective training, and managing budget challenges. Designed as a collaborative platform, the event empowers non-profits with the tools they need to strengthen and sustain their community programs.

Attendees will hear from experts, including keynote speaker Nick Jacobs, of Senior Management Resources, who will deliver an address on Leadership and Resilience in the Face of Change. The event also features thought-provoking sessions led by industry leaders:

• Debbie Thompson, President of Strategy Solutions, will share insights on contingency planning
• Heather Maneval, Principal of Spur and Sprout, will discuss funding strategies amidst federal budget cuts
• Matt Ward and Matt Plummer will deliver updates on federal and state policies
• A Grantmakers Panel featuring Angie Berzonski of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Jodi Clark of Lee Initiatives, and Karen Struble Myers of United Way of the Southern Alleghenies

“The Non-Profit Learning Center’s role is to provide centralized resources that make a tangible difference,” stated Julie Davis, Director of Workforce Education at Penn Highlands Community College. “Through sessions led by experienced professionals, this symposium is designed to empower agencies with actionable strategies during uncertain times.”

This event is made possible by the Community Initiatives Fund at the Community Foundation for Alleghenies.

For more information on the Non-Profit Learning Partnership, contact Julie Davis at 814-262-3813 or via email at jdavis@pennhighlands.edu.

Click here for more information on the symposium.