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College Adds Accelerated Online Format Option To The Cybersecurity Certificate

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the Cybersecurity Certificate program will now be offered in a fully online, accelerated format, beginning this upcoming Spring 2026 semester.

The Cybersecurity Certificate can now be completed over both the Spring and Summer semesters. The program consists of seven classes, totaling 22 credits, and will run annually.

“The new certificate format allows existing students to retake or catch up on core courses without getting off track,” stated Greg Paonessa, Assistant Professor of Computer Technology. “The online nature of the courses will also allow more students access to the Cybersecurity program without limits on their geographical locations, helping students achieve their associate’s degree in case they’re having any issues with past core courses or attending typical in-person classes.”

The inaugural Spring semester will feature four courses, with two scheduled during the first seven weeks and the remaining two during the second seven weeks.

In the Summer semester, students will complete two courses during the Summer A session (the first six weeks) and the final course during the Summer B session (the last six weeks).

The College hopes to offer this certificate with a Fall semester start as well, making the accelerated program available year-round.

“This new offering will provide flexible and timely in-demand training for students across our region,” stated Michelle Stumpf, Dean of Enrollment & Registrar. “It opens the door for working professionals, as well as students new to higher education, to gain not only high-level technical training, but the opportunity to earn industry certifications in the cybersecurity arena.”

Click here to visit our Institute for Cyber Security (ICS) for more details on this certificate and other related programs. ICS programs are connected to the Cyber ACCESS project. The Cyber ACCESS project is supported with ARISE funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

Jayvien Brumbaugh Earns Men’s Golf All-Conference Honors

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.

Annual Community Trick Or Treat Event Scheduled For October 27

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be celebrating the Halloween season by hosting its annual Community Trick or Treat event on Monday, October 27, from 5:30 to 7 PM at the College’s Richland Campus (101 Community College Way, Johnstown).

The event will feature a craft station, a live skit, and trick-or-treating on the C-Level of the Richland Campus.

Intended for families with children who are 12 years old and under, this event is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween in a safe and welcoming environment. Faculty, staff, and students will be on-hand to give out free treats (while supplies last) and provide a unique Halloween experience to visitors.

Averaging around 1,000 visitors each year, we are prepared for that number and more, as we continue with this community and family tradition.

We kindly ask visitors to park and enter through the main gymnasium entrance. Lastly, we are asking you to leave your pets at home, as pets are not permitted on our campus, with the exception of service animals.

Click here for more details on the event.

Men’s Basketball Team Releases 2025-2026 Game Schedule

Men’s Basketball at Pennsylvania Highlands has unveiled its 2025-26 season schedule, consisting of 27 games set to take place between November and February.

The Black Bears will play 14 games at home. Penn Highlands begins the season by competing in the Northampton Community College Tip-Off Tournament on November 1-2. After a road contest at WVU Potomac State College, the Black Bears will host seven consecutive home games from November 8 to December 5.

During that stretch, the team will host the Penn Highlands Turkey Classic on November 15-16. This two-day tournament will also feature Bryant & Stratton College (Ohio), Salem Community College (New Jersey), and Sandhills Community College (North Carolina).

All home games will be played inside the Richland Campus gymnasium. Dates and times are subject to change. The full home schedule is as follows:

After the completion of the regular season, the Black Bears will compete in the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference/Region 20 Tournament at Butler County Community College beginning February 20.

The winner becomes the conference and regional champion and will host the Mid-Atlantic District Championship for a possible berth in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament.

Click here for more information on Black Bears Athletics.

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. 

The Cambria Memory Project Honored As Runner-Up For The Noel Prize

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College’s Cambria Memory Project was chosen as first runner-up for the inaugural Noel Prize by the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries, Inc. (PACSCL).

The Cambria Memory Project focused on preserving the history of a rural community, with an emphasis on underrepresented populations, including the history of African American, Jewish, and woman’s organizations and education in Cambria County.

“It’s such an honor to be a runner-up winner of the Noel Prize and to have the Cambria Memory Project recognized as an outstanding example of open access and digital preservation,” stated Dr. Barbara Zaborowski, Dean of Library Services & Special Projects at Pennsylvania Highlands.

Penn Highlands was runner-up to the National Indian Boarding School Digital Archive of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. Six Honorable Mention selections were also awarded.

“The Committee was impressed with the project description,” stated Beth Lander, Managing Director of the Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries. “They agreed that the project fulfills the ideals of the prize: an open access project, of high value to its audiences and stakeholder communities, and that is significant relative to the size of the institution that undertook it.”

The PACSCL created the Noel Prize to honor its late chair, Dr. William Noel, in recognition of achievements in open access, a focus of Noel’s work.

Noel, who passed away in April 2024, was the Associate Librarian for Special Collections at Princeton University. He served on PACSCL’s Board of Directors from 2015-22 and was Chair of the Board from 2019-22.

Click here to view The Cambria Memory Project.