Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Centre County (190 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA, 16823) is hosting an Academic Planning Day on Wednesday, May 14, from 5 to 7 PM.
Attendees can register for classes, take advanced placement tests, receive FAFSA assistance, and submit a college application.
The event brings everything a student needs into one location, saving time and avoiding multiple deadlines.
“I’m excited to announce our first Academic Planning Day,” stated Marissa Davis, Regional Center Director. “This evening event is designed with flexibility in mind, as we know some students prefer having a parent join them for class registration, while others don’t want to miss school to plan their college schedule. We look forward to seeing you there and helping you take the next step in your academic journey.”
If an attendee plans on applying for instant acceptance, the College asks that a high school transcript be brought to the event.
The Culinary Arts program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is showcasing significant growth and success at its Center for Culinary Excellence in downtown Johnstown. This expansion underscores the program’s dedication to cultivating a highly skilled workforce to support the region’s hospitality and food service industries.
Recent improvements include the addition of cutting-edge kitchen facilities, a revamped curriculum centered on contemporary culinary trends, and a surge in enrollment driven by growing demand for the program. Students benefit from immersive, hands-on training and develop essential skills that equip them for thriving, dynamic careers in the culinary industry.
“We’re definitely improving in our growth,” Culinary Arts Program Director John Dusack stated. “With our students and equipment, we are becoming more established as a culinary program. That was the main goal.”
The program has seen remarkable growth, more than tripling its student enrollment since its launch in 2024.
Facility Enhancements
The Culinary Arts program has significantly expanded its resources to provide students with real-world experience in a professional setting. New additions include 12 commercial mixers, six induction burners, an industrial meat slicer, and a bread proofing cabinet, which complement the Culinary Center’s existing tools, such as a commercial deep fryer, gas grill, meat smoker, combination oven, and more.
A Look Ahead, New Courses
Looking ahead, the program is set to introduce a Nutrition class in Spring 2026, designed to focus on crafting recipes tailored for skilled clients in nursing homes or hospitals. Plans are also underway to add a wine and beverage course, which will teach students how to pair drinks with meals effectively and how to incorporate them into recipes.
“One great thing about our program is that you are learning hands-on how to make everything in the curriculum,” Dusack stated. “You start from the very basics of cooking and move up to advanced techniques, while working with different aspects of food such as gluten, proteins, and carbohydrates. We really aim to make our students capable of being well-rounded chefs.”
Gain Experience, Career Opportunities
Students are given valuable opportunities to showcase their skills, including preparing meals for external critique at special events held once per semester and attending the Penn Highlands Foundation’s annual Chef Auction. These events allow students to network with industry professionals, gain field insights, and even secure potential job opportunities.
Culinary Arts students have already made an impact, landing positions at esteemed establishments such as Seven Springs, Windber Country Club, Asiago’s, and more.
Join the Culinary Movement
With its growing reputation and robust resources, Penn Highlands’ Culinary Arts at Penn Highlands is paving the way for aspiring chefs to launch successful careers in the culinary field. For more information about the program, please click here.
The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges recently honored the 31st annual All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, consisting of select students representing 15 community colleges from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This honor recognizes high-achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. The students are selected for the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team based on a nomination and application process.
The 2025 scholars include Transfer Pathway students and Workforce Pathway students, with six of those honored hailing from Pennsylvania Highlands. The following students were selected and are members of the All-Pennsylvania Academic Transfer Pathway Team:
Olivia Cavallo (Northern Cambria, PA) – Transfer Scholar
Hannah Detterline (Petersburg, PA) – Transfer Scholar
Adelyn Dull (Hollsopple, PA) – Transfer Scholar
Sarah DeBose (Johnstown, PA) – Transfer Scholar
Kyle Feliciano (Johnstown, PA) – Transfer Scholar
Lanette Rayman (Cairnbrook, PA) – Transfer Scholar
Transfer Pathway honorees plan to transfer to a four-year college after graduation. They must have completed at least 36 credits at a community college with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Pennsylvania’s community colleges partner with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education to provide scholarships to Transfer Pathway students, providing two years of tuition at any PASSHE school.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College congratulates these six students on their selection to the 2025 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will host its annual Student Engagement Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 24, at 6 PM inside the Richland Campus Auditorium.
Awards will be presented to students who have achieved the highest academic level in their respective programs, as well as those who will be inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success and Phi Theta Kappa.
Club and athletic awards will also be given to those students involved in their respective clubs and sports. The club awards are based on both leadership and service.
“We are proud to celebrate our students who shine both inside and outside the classroom,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “Many of our students are achieving remarkable success in their academic programs, clubs, organizations, and athletics. We aim to honor these exceptional students and ensure their hard work is acknowledged.”
Nominations for the Distinguished Graduate Award will also be presented during the ceremony. The Distinguished Graduate accolade recognizes a student who has dedicated their time and efforts to enriching Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and the surrounding community, while upholding an exemplary academic record.
The Distinguished Graduate Award will be presented at this year’s Commencement on May 16.
For those unable to attend the ceremony in person, a live stream of the event will be available on the College’s YouTube channel.
Students in the Social Work Associate of Arts (A.A.) Program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College are utilizing a unique avatar system to aid with degree progress and real-world skills.
The avatar, known as Mika, gives students the ability to practice interview skills and fill out proper forms while they complete application assignments in courses within the Social Work program.
Mika is built with the background of a person struggling with both in school and out of school issues, as it responds to open-ended questions with a recorded voice and gives students feedback while progressing through interviews.
“The avatar is a great way to enhance interviewing skills through application,” stated Yvette Madison, Professor of Social Work. “It gives students additional resources to help them gain experience as they progress through the program. They have been very receptive to the avatar and have given a lot of positive feedback.”
The avatar was developed alongside Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) and was highlighted in a CTC display at the local Showcase of Commerce in 2022.
As Penn Highlands collaborates with its own Computer Information Technology students, the College is also exploring ways to enrich the storyline centered around the avatar, Mika. This includes the potential addition of a secondary storyline or the introduction of another avatar to complement Mika’s journey.
