Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be hosting Fall Admissions & Athletics Open Houses on Thursday, October 22, and Wednesday, November 11, at the College’s Richland Campus, as well as its locations in Altoona, Bellefonte, Ebensburg, and Somerset.
Each open house will have two sessions, the first at 2:30 PM and the second at 5:30 PM. Those who wish to attend can RSVP by visiting our Open House page and selecting the date you wish to attend. The events are also open to the public.
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.
Our locations page provides directions and addresses for all facilities. Those who fill out a survey upon attending will be entered in a drawing to win a $250 scholarship.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been serving the region since 1994 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College students Jacob Buckley and Morgan Hamel have been selected as founding leaders within the Black Bear Student Marketing Agency.
The Black Bear Student Marketing Agency is a new initiative within the Penn Highlands’ Marketing AAS program. Students complete real-world marketing projects for clients, covering areas such as research, digital marketing, social media, branding, and content development.
Buckley will serve as the first Agency Director, while Hamel will serve as the first Editor-in-Chief of the Black Bear Marketing Journal, the agency’s new online marketing publication.
“Jacob and Morgan are exemplary students who consistently go above and beyond, not only in their academic work, but also in their determination to make college a complete experience both inside and outside the classroom,” stated Mark Parfitt, Assistant Professor of Business. “They have embraced opportunities to learn, grow and get involved, and I’m confident they are the perfect team to lead the inaugural year of our new student marketing agency.”
Buckley, a second-year Marketing student from Huntingdon County, serves as founding Agency Director. He brings hands-on experience from an early internship at FOXPRO Inc. and currently manages social media and marketing for a local business.
“I enjoy marketing because it allows me to connect with people while turning creative ideas into real-world results,” Buckley stated. “I’m excited to continue developing my marketing skills through this semester’s projects and look forward to working with our student teams and business partners to create meaningful and effective marketing solutions.”
The Black Bear Marketing Journal is a new student-written online publication delivering practical marketing insights to individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses in the College’s service area. It also gives students experience in professional writing, editing, and digital publishing.
Hamel, of Blair County, serves as founding Editor-in-Chief. She is completing dual studies in Business Management and Marketing, with plans to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a career in Entertainment Business.
“Marketing gives me the opportunity to understand people, tell stories, and create ideas that make a difference,” Hamel stated. “To me, a future in marketing means expanding horizons and introducing individuals to the future.”
Together, Buckley and Hamel are shaping both initiatives from the ground up, gaining valuable leadership and project management experience in the process.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College sophomore Nicole DeArmitt has been named a 2026 Chime Workforce Scholar, joining 200 students nationwide recognized for their academic achievement and pursuit of career-focused education.
Funded by the Chime Scholars Foundation and administered by the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation, the Chime Workforce Scholarship supports students pursuing career and technical education at two-year colleges.
Each scholar will receive a $1,000 scholarship to help cover educational expenses as they complete a certificate or associate degree, preparing them to enter the workforce in a high-demand field.
“Earning this scholarship means the world to me,” DeArmitt stated. “I owe so much to my husband, my parents, my in-laws, and my brother and sister-in-law. They never let me give up. I want my kids to know that if you want something badly enough, you have to work for it, and that being a wife and mom doesn’t have to hold you back. The support I received from the staff and instructors at Penn Highlands has been truly special. I’m grateful for the College, and I’ll always be proud to call it home.”
A 2006 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School, DeArmitt is a lifelong resident of Johnstown. She is majoring in Medical Coding & Billing at Penn Highlands, where she has been named to the Dean’s List multiple times and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society while being a first-generation college student.
DeArmitt currently works full-time at a local elementary school as an aide.
“At the Chime Scholars Foundation, we believe that career and technical education opens doors to financial progress and long-term opportunity,” stated Jeni Izuel, President of the Chime Scholars Foundation. “We’re proud to support students who are working hard to gain in-demand skills and build better futures for themselves and their families.”
The Chime Workforce Scholarship supports students preparing for high-demand careers that strengthen their communities and local economies. By helping students complete their education and earn workforce credentials, the program helps create a stronger pipeline of skilled workers in fields where they are needed most.
Penn Highlands contributes a strong foundation of academic excellence, innovative curricula, and a steadfast commitment to student success. With experienced educators and modern infrastructure, the College cultivates an environment that encourages critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration, and lifelong learning.
The 24th annual Cambria County College Fair will be held on Tuesday, September 15, from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM in the main gymnasium of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s Richland Campus.
This highly anticipated event, hosted and sponsored by Pennsylvania Highlands, is a must-attend for students, parents, and anyone looking to explore educational and career opportunities.
“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 Madelyn Oliver, Admissions Counselor at Pennsylvania Highlands. “The event will bring together vendors and representatives from across Pennsylvania and outside of the state, offering various perspectives and expertise. Attendees will have opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights.”
More than 65 representatives are scheduled to appear, including four-year universities, technical schools, business colleges, cosmetology schools, 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.
Representatives will be available to assist guests with their educational and career needs. The event will welcome more than 750 high school students.
The College Fair is dedicated to inspiring high school students, their families, and the community to explore higher education and future opportunities. We invite you to visit the Cambria County College Fair and discover the educational pathways and opportunities available in our region.
The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is set to award over $80,000 in scholarships to deserving students for the 2026-2027 academic year.
This includes the Supporting Scholars program, which encompasses the Emerging Leader Scholarship ($2,000 annually per student) and the Presidential Scholarship ($6,000 annually per student) for both first-year and second-year recipients. The Foundation will also award 15 scholarships to students.
American Association of University Women (AAUW) Johnstown Branch Scholarship
Rachel Kohn
College Employee-Supported Scholarship
Hailey Johnson
Dale W. Miller Scholarship
Jacob Buckley
Daniel and Diane Holtzman Scholarship
Bruce Knisely
Dr. Anna D. Weitz Scholarship
Kathy Walker
Dr. Edward Haluska Scholarship
Garrett James
Dr. Walter and Kim Asonevich Scholarship
Rachel Kohn
Ignite the Fire Culinary Scholarship
Nathanael Bremer
Gracie Pfeil
Kathy Walker
Joe and Ruth Corle Memorial Scholarship
Sierra Dale
Joseph and Joan Mangarella Scholarship
Sierra Dale
Bruce Knisely
Kathy Holtzman Memorial Scholarship
Sarah Huber
Margaret J. Pardee Scholarship
Kaitlyn Drass
Kinley Rogal
Roth Family Scholarship
Crystal Conner
Kerstin Corle
Abigail Rudy
Arlina Whitaker
Sara & Salvatore (Sam) Valenty Scholarship
Ashlyn Clayton
Cayden Garman
Ursula Pawlowski Memorial Scholarship
Markie Bender
The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is grateful to all donors whose generous contributions make these scholarships possible. Their support plays a vital role in transforming the lives of students and strengthening the communities they serve.
