Newsroom

Annual Cambria College Fair Set For September

The 22nd annual Cambria County College Fair will be held Tuesday, September 17, from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM inside the main gym of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Richland Campus. 

Hosted and sponsored by Pennsylvania Highlands, this event welcomes students, parents, and the general public interested in advancing their education or trade skills. 

“This is a great opportunity for local high school juniors and seniors, plus anyone looking to find a new school or career, to come and see what is available,” stated Hannah Ross, Admissions Specialist at Pennsylvania Highlands. “There will be vendors to talk to, with a variety of representatives coming from outside of the state. There will be many chances to gain knowledge from different perspectives.” 

More than 50 representatives are scheduled to appear, including four-year universities, technical schools, business colleges, cosmetology schools and universities, branches of the military, local businesses, and more. This gives everyone who attends the opportunity to find and discover the many educational and career opportunities that are right in their own backyard. 

The representatives will be on-hand to meet with and assist guests regarding their educational and career needs. 

The College Fair’s mission is to promote higher education and future opportunities to high school students and their families and the public. We invite the community to stop by the Cambria County College Fair and learn about all the educational opportunities our region offers. 

Click for more details on the Cambria County College Fair.

New Wrestling Program Coming To Black Bear Athletics In 2025

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is excited to introduce Men’s and Women’s Wrestling programs, slated to debut in the 2025-2026 academic year. 

Wrestling will take place during the winter athletic season, spanning from October to March, as part of the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA).  

“We’ve known for a long time that wrestling is a popular sport in our area that produces great student-athletes,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “We were approached by local wrestling advocates and the National Wrestling Coaches Association about how it would benefit Penn Highlands. Now, we’re very excited to take the next step.” 

A search has been initiated for the program’s inaugural head coach, whose primary responsibilities will revolve around the foundational development of the program and recruitment efforts ahead of the official team activities slated to begin in Fall 2025. The College’s Richland Campus will host all practices and home matches. 

“With many talented wrestlers in the area, this offers them an extra chance to showcase their skills and opens a door for those not aiming for a four-year institution,” Brugh stated. 

With wrestling, Black Bear Athletics will now have eight programs. Others include basketball, bowling, cross country, eSports, golf, softball, and volleyball. 

Since the reinstatement of athletics in 2010, Penn Highlands athletes have garnered numerous accolades, including 76 All-Conference selections, 59 All-Region honors, and six recognitions as National Player of the Week. 

New Centre County Location Set To Host Open House In September

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is having an Open House on Thursday, September 12, from 11 AM to 2 PM at its new Centre County facility. Penn Highlands Centre County is located on the second floor of the historic Pennsylvania Match Factory (190 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823).

Those attending will discover vast opportunities, such as degree and certificate programs, specialized coursework, and transfer pathways. Additionally, they will receive information on athletics, student life, clubs and activities, and financial aid options.

Attendees may take guided tours of the new 5,200-square-foot facility, featuring advanced classrooms, a computer lab, conference room, offices, and a dedicated student area.

September 12 is also CareerLink’s Awareness Day. Attendees are also encouraged to stop by the CareerLink office next to us and receive helpful information about getting on the right career path.

“Hosting an open house on Pennsylvania’s annual CareerLink Day is great for us and our partners,” said Marissa Davis, Regional Center Director. “We maintain a strong relationship with all the CareerLinks in our service areas, and they contribute significantly to our communities and our graduates. I hope people will check out our new location in Centre County and then stop by CareerLink to explore the services they offer.”

For more information, contact Penn Highlands Centre County at 814.230.3080 or email centrecounty@pennhighlands.edu.

Click here for additional details on the Centre County facility.

Foundation To Award Over $66,000 In Scholarships

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is awarding more than $66,000 in scholarships to students for the 2024-2025 academic year.

This encompasses awarding $36,000 to first-year Supporting Scholars, covering both the Emerging Leader Scholarship and the Presidential Scholarship. The College Foundation will also be awarding 20 scholarships (over $30,000 in total) to deserving students.

Those being awarded scholarships include:

Supporting Scholars – Presidential Scholarship

• Gina Pettenati (Ashville, PA)
• Sydney Scott (Boswell, PA)

Supporting Scholars – Emerging Leader Scholarship

• Ava Dobransky (Northern Cambria, PA)
• Tori Harrison (Portage, PA)
• Anna Hinzy (Markleton, PA)
• Emmie Johns (South Fork, PA)
• Lauren Lockard (Portage, PA)
• Hannah Miklos (Johnstown, PA)
• Jacob Nolan (Portage, PA)
• Lily Schrock (Boswell, PA)
• Kyla Sidor (Johnstown, PA)
• Kaitlin Smith (Martinsburg, PA)
• Ethan Usrey (Johnstown, PA)
• Emma Weicht (Everett, PA)

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Johnstown Branch Scholarship

• Amanda Mosorjak (Johnstown, PA)

College Employee-Supported Scholarship

• Elizabeth Karns-Waters (Altoona, PA)

Dale W. Miller Scholarship

• Bailey Norris (Huntingdon, PA)

Daniel and Diane Holtzman Scholarship

• Rachel Cessna (South Fork, PA)

Dr. Anna D. Weitz Scholarship

• Kelvin Williams (Cresson, PA)

Dr. Edward Haluska Scholarship

• Laura Pucci (Hollsopple, PA)

Dr. Walter and Kim Asonevich Scholarship

• Natalie Phagoo (Johnstown, PA)

Gaynelle Schmieder Memorial Scholarship

• Casey Barrett (Johnstown, PA)
• Jocelynn Galat (Ashville, PA)

Griffith Family Scholarship

• Kayleigh Musser (Saxton, PA)

Huntingdon Hope Scholarship

• Bailey Norris (Huntingdon, PA)

Ignite the Fire Culinary Scholarship

• Allison Drass (Altoona, PA)
• Patrick Penrod (Johnstown, PA)
• Zakareyah Salem (Johnstown, PA)

Joe and Ruth Corle Memorial Scholarship

• Ethan Usrey (Johnstown, PA)

Johnstown Regional Indian Subcontinent Association (JRISA) Scholarship

• Rachel Cessna (South Fork, PA)

Joseph and Joan Mangarella Scholarship

• Gianna Manippo (Windber, PA)
• Elizabeth Karns-Waters (Altoona, PA)

Kathy Holtzman Memorial Scholarship

• Kelvin Williams (Johnstown, PA)

Learning Lamp Scholarship

• Yolanda Monge (Johnstown, PA)

Roth Family Scholarship

• Alexander Wilkins (Altoona, PA)

Sara & Salvatore (Sam) Valenty Scholarship

• Kyle Feliciano (Johnstown, PA)

Stan and Helen Westbrook Scholarship

• Katrina Sheeder (Shirleysburg, PA)

Ursula Pawlowski Memorial Scholarship

• Will Latuch (Somerset, PA)

“It is truly inspiring to see the dedication and hard work of these students being recognized,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “These scholarships not only reward their past achievements, but also invest in their future potential. Penn Highlands recognizes that student success can provide individuals with the opportunity to change their lives.”

Women’s Volleyball Releases 2024 Home Schedule

The Pennsylvania Highlands Women’s Volleyball team released its 2024 season schedule, with matches spanning August through October.

The Black Bears will play six of their 15 games at home. Penn Highlands will open the season on the road at Westmoreland County Community College on Tuesday, August 27 at 6 PM. The home opener will be Friday, August 30 against Butler County Community College.

Home games will be played in the Richland Campus gymnasium, with all six contests slated to start at 6 PM. Dates and times are subject to change. The full home schedule is as follows:

“We have a great group of athletes, and I think we will hold our own in a lot of games,” stated Black Bears first-year head coach Derek Horner. “We have some great returning players and have been lucky to add a few more during the off-season. They work hard together and are motivated to win.”

After the regular season, the Black Bears will compete in the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference/Region 20 Tournament in Butler on October 26. The winner becomes the conference and regional champion, and will face the Region 10 champion in the Mid-Atlantic District Championship.

For full schedule details, please visit www.blackbearathletics.com.