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Police Academy Honors Third Graduating Class With Ceremony

The third class of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy (Cadet Class #91) was honored during a graduation ceremony held at the Richland Campus Auditorium on Wednesday, October 1.

Each of the six cadets received a certificate acknowledging their completion of the Penn Highlands Police Academy, with two receiving their recognition from the police chief representing the respective department they will be employed at upon graduation and successful completion of a state test.

The list of cadets, including those with a conditional offer of employment, are:

• Brayden Dean, Johnstown, PA
• Cy Firestone, Somerset, PA (Somerset Borough Police Department)
• Troy Jarrett, Duncansville, PA (Martinsburg Police Department)
• Kent Krisay, Johnstown, PA
• Jacob Rhoades, Johnstown, PA
• Jacob Wagner, Duncansville, PA

Wagner was named class valedictorian after achieving a combined score of 919 out of a possible 940 points, which included his performance on 26 tests and the completion of eight different real-life scenarios.

Krisay received the Physical Fitness Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement as determined from three required P.T. tests and physical training that occurs throughout the Academy.

Jarrett earned the Distinguished Marksman Award for accumulating the most points throughout the firearms training with the pistol, shotgun and patrol rifle. Wagner was also presented with the Defensive Tactics Award for outstanding performance during extensive control tactics training.

Krisay was chosen as the first recipient of the Chief James Mock Memorial Achievement Award. Established by Catherine Rager and the James Mock family, the award honors an exceptional cadet annually during graduation for each cadet class, while celebrating outstanding performance and unwavering commitment demonstrated during their training, recognizing their dedication to excellence in law enforcement.

The curriculum included subjects ranging from constitutional law, ethics, de-escalation strategies, criminal law and procedures, and search and seizure. Additionally, each cadet successfully completed practical training in physical fitness, defensive control tactics, emergency vehicle operation, firearms, first aid, and CPR, along with optional certifications in field sobriety, taser, police baton, and pepper spray.

Cadets underwent a total of 919 hours of instruction spanning 11 months, divided between 498 hours within a classroom and 421 hours of practical, hands-on training.

The Police Academy ran four nights per week. The cadets’ firearms training and qualifications took place on Saturday and Sunday, spanning eight consecutive weekends.

To conclude their training at the Police Academy, cadets underwent 40 hours of practical scenario training. This comprehensive program involved three role players, each with a background in criminal justice and drawn from the local community, providing the cadets with a realistic and immersive learning experience.

A total of eight instructors assisted in the training and certification process.

The Penn Highlands Police Academy’s fourth class, consisting of 18 cadets, began training on September 8.

College Foundation To Host Annual Chef Auction Fundraiser

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation will hold its annual Chef Auction fundraiser event on Wednesday, October 22, at 5 PM at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown, PA.

The College Foundation is looking to continue its successes from the first two events under the College’s umbrella, having raised more than $118,000 for student scholarships. All proceeds from the event go towards the Supporting Scholars Fund and future Culinary Arts scholarships.

“We’re proud to continue the Chef Auction fundraiser, now in its third year, as a celebration of community generosity and student achievement,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “The support we receive from local sponsors to attendees directly fuels scholarships and resources that help our students thrive. It is inspiring to see how this event brings people together to invest in the future of Penn Highlands.”

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour and silent auction in the venue’s lobby. Guests can bid on a range of local experiences, such as restaurant gift cards and premium seats for the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, signed memorabilia, including a 1977 Johnstown Chiefs puck and a Jack Ham jersey, will be available for auction.

Appetizers for the cocktail hour will be prepared by students from the Penn Highlands Culinary Arts program. The event will also include a cash bar and a performance by local radio host and musician Bo Moore.

Multiple restaurants are slated to attend the event, including Balance, Harrigan’s, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, and more. Each participating restaurant will provide packages for attendees to bid on during the live auction.

Harlan Speigle will serve as the live auctioneer. UPMC Altoona and WorkLink Staffing are the Master Chef sponsors.

Click here for more information on the Chef Auction or to purchase tickets.

Interested restaurants or potential sponsors should contact the College Foundation at foundation@pennhighlands.edu or 814.262.6448.

About Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation
Established in 1995, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is a non-profit educational trust under Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation seeks and secures financial support to advance the mission of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College by fostering relationships and managing resources. It focuses on providing scholarships, supporting academic programs, and promoting faculty and staff development to meet the College’s and community’s educational needs. Through donations, events, grants, and deferred giving, the Foundation enriches student opportunities and strengthens community partnerships. 

College Hosting Two Open Houses This Fall

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be hosting Fall Admissions & Athletics Open Houses on Monday, October 13, and Tuesday, November 11. The events will take place 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.

Benjamin Estell Appointed To College’s Board Of Trustees

Pennsylvania 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.

College Launches Revamped Online Platform Known As Penn Highlands Online

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has unveiled an enhanced online platform, now known as Penn Highlands Online. Penn Highlands Online features fully online degree and certificate programs that offer flexible schedules, affordable tuition, and support from expert faculty. This platform is designed to help students gain skills for in-demand careers or transfer seamlessly to four-year institutions on their schedule and from anywhere.

Penn Highlands Online offers fully asynchronous courses, allowing students to access coursework at any time. This flexibility supports working adults, parents, military-affiliated learners, and first-generation students who need education that fits their lives.

Available programs include associate degrees and certificates across fields such as Accounting, Behavioral Sciences, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Medical Coding & Billing, Paralegal Studies, Social Service Assistant, and more.

“Education is one of the best ways to change your life, and our online offerings allow for greater accessibility to the same quality education that our in-person students receive,” stated Michaela Long, Regional Center Director. “Penn Highlands has always been committed to student success, and we are excited to expand opportunities for our students, regardless of where they reside.”

Penn Highlands Online introduces several enhancements, including an upgraded online student orientation, comprehensive tutorials for navigating college platforms like Brightspace and myPEAK, and a refreshed webpage on the College website.

Robust student support is integrated throughout the online experience. Learners can connect with tutoring, accessibility services, personal counseling, and academic advising via phone, email, or virtual meetings.

Penn Highlands is a member institution of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), a significant step in ensuring high-quality, transparent, and accessible education for students across state lines.

This membership reflects Penn Highlands’ commitment to providing students with flexible and reliable learning opportunities, empowering them to achieve their education and career goals without barriers.

The College remains committed to affordability with transparent tuition and no application fees, paired with financial aid options such as scholarships, grants, and federal loan programs. Military-affiliated students and their dependents may qualify for local tuition rates, even if they live out of state.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the same accrediting body as many top colleges and universities. This accreditation guarantees that while our programs are more affordable, the quality of education remains uncompromised and exceptional.

Located in the west-central region of Pennsylvania, Penn Highlands has seven locations spread across the Laurel Highlands and Southern Alleghenies. With Penn Highlands Online, the College offers flexible and accessible learning options beyond physical locations, providing education that fits your life.

Click here to visit Penn Highlands Online.