UPMC Health Plan has contributed a $5,000 donation to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation. This contribution will be directed towards the College’s Educational Income Tax Credit (EITC) fund, further advancing its mission to make higher education more accessible and affordable.
This impactful donation will enable UPMC Health Plan and other organizations to support the College’s educational initiatives, ensuring students have greater opportunities to succeed.
By maintaining its EITC status and with the support of this significant contribution, Penn Highlands will continue to offer classes at reduced rates for students in the Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program and those participating in dual enrollment.
“We are thrilled to welcome UPMC Health Plan as a first-time donor to our EITC program,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Penn Highlands Foundation. “Their commitment to supporting educational opportunities reflects a shared vision for affordable dual enrollment classes that foster student success.”
The EITC program supports high school students by providing access to college-level courses. Through this initiative, students can earn credits and explore the educational opportunities that Penn Highlands offers.
Since 2023, the EITC Program has now received more than $40,000 in funding, enabling the College to provide more than 7,000 credits at discounted rates to over 2,000 participating students.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced that the following students have made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester.
Altoona – Kelly Adamiak, Beverly Ilene Amigh Auerbeck, Julius Anthony Colabove, Dawn Marie Cronmiller, Allison Kaylee Drass, Samantha Ida Esmaili, Sierra Rose Francisco, Morgan D. Hamel, Cody Lee Hartman, Brenda Louise Houck, Sara Krestar, Chelsea Dawn McMaster, McKayla Noel, William Miles Reading, Desiree Roberts, Charles G. Semelsberger, Emerson Jean Steinbugl, Maria June Stiver, Elaina Ashlynn Wallace, Hana Yagoub
Armagh – Kaylee Witten
Ashville – Ellie Marie Bender, Kasey Robin Farabaugh, Alainna Lynch, Gina Eve Pettenati Brittany Megan Shaner
Belle Vernon – Casey Marie Smith
Bellwood – Emma Price, Kristin Amber Weiand
Berlin – Lilah Eden Topper
Boswell – Syd Alexis Scott
Cairnbrook – Belinda Michele Baker, Zoe Marie Ketchock
Carrolltown – Erin Behe, Leah Joy Frederick, DJ Austin Weaver
Central City – Kaitlin K. Fisher, Rian Marie Klotz, Gretchen Mae Miller, Sara Sue Watkins
Centre Hall – Abby Elaine Tice
Claysburg – Galen Seymour
Clymer – Connor McClain
Confluence – Trinity Jean Hyatt, Makiah Lynn Schartiger, Maleigha Jo Younkin
Coudersport – Lilly Germaine Buchsen
Cresson – Baylee Nicole Proudfit, Ian David Rice
Davidsville – Gracyn L. Bittner, Tanner Kate Hunsberger, Jared Lafferty, Mya Lynn Nanna, Nick Yoder, Ella Mankamyer
Duncansville – Hunter W. Dawson
Dysart – Brandi Sue Collins
East Conemaugh – Aubree K. Himes
East Freedom – Brandi Jo Thompson
Ebensburg – Brandon J. Arotin, Skylar Marie Kovac
Elmora – Gina Marie Lane, Kenzie Grace Mulraney
Gray – Layla Rachelle Roch
Harrisburg – Patrice Robinson
Hastings – Marissa Renee Ball, Jade Elizabeth Farabaugh, Kayla Elizabeth Holtz, Stella Marie Illig, Abby Renee McAnulty, Lakin Nicole Pierce, Casey James Weakland, Kenadi Elizabeth Weakland
Heilwood – Brandi M. Horvath
Hollidaysburg – Bilal Yazen Naji, Alyson Elizabeth Thompson, Arlina Whitaker
Johnstown – Isabella Anderson, Noah Xavier Anderson, Téa Ashcom, Casey Nathaniel Barrett, AJ Biggs, Paisley S. Britt, Emily E. Burkett, Jesse Zane Burkett, Marissa Camut, Nick Andrew Chonko, Samantha Nicole Chonko, Maddie Cichocki, Julia Clement, Ariel Robin Clickner, Aurora B. Croyle, Nevaeh Day, Sarah DeBose, Charlee Kristina Eckenrod, El Calistro Esparza, Emirson Grassmyer, Olivia Jane Grosik, Britt Ada Hamryszak, Savannah Dawn Hawks, Sydney Paige Heinlein, Emanuel R. Hill, Nolan Harris Hill, Maddie Caroline Hofecker, Elizabeth Esperonza Hollie-Grant, Ireland G. Howard, Taylor Lea Jarvis, Heaven Leigh Jones, Dane Matthew Jordan, Anika Rose Kaminsky, Connor Douglas Kleinosky, Rachel Kohn, Quinn C. Komar, Shawn M. Kornprobst, Carson Daniel Krupka, Brianna Noel Litzinger, Isabela Jolie Lute, Avery Claire Marshall, Jaelyn McClintock, Sean Thomas McNally, Alexandra Q. Mock, Zoe A. Nagle, Travis Niessner, Brynn Faith Pallone, Caci Elizabeth Polenik, Emilia Quezada, Brianna Joann Rager, Carson Michael Reckner, Morgan Leigh Rese, Hayleigh Rietscha, Gabrielle Louise Riffle, Sandi Joan Rivera, Brett Christopher Rokita, Zhanea Olivia Rowe, Zack John Ryan, Brayden Smith, Addison R. Synan, Bella Lorraine Synan, Arissa Raeann Thompson, Belle Toth, Ethan Matthew Usrey, Blaise M. Veney, Emma Jane Weicht, Josh Werner, Maisey R. Zvara
Ligonier – Jeana Bianco
Lilly – Greg Asberry, Nathan Kyle Scavoni
Loretto – Vinny M. Borruto, Andrew Robert Dillon
Loysburg – Nicole Smith
Mahaffey – Logan A. Chilcote
Manns Choice – Cody John Miller
Mapleton – Brody Kohler, Jacob Daniel Buckley
Martinsburg – Mark David Bettwy, Hannah E. Greenleaf, Lilly Marie Hardman, Kaitlin Marie Smith
Meyersdale – Paige Elizabeth Boyer, Ashlyn Paige Clayton, Taryn Leigh Miller
Millheim – Jacob Daniel Campbell
Mineral Point – Isabelle Grace Bearer, Zach Hunter Brandis, Jesse Johnson
Mingoville – Cecelia Christine McGovern
Monongahela – Shelby Criss
Mount Union – Kavanagh P. Edwards
Nanty Glo – Theresa Byron, Nikki Ann Pietrazak, Christopher Rhoades, Teague Spade
New Baltimore – Sarah Martin
New Enterprise – Cayden Lee Garman
New Florence – Tiffaney Jade Swartz
New Paris – Marley Grayce McMillen
Northern Cambria – Mandy Perrone, Justin P. Radcliffe, Kayla Marie Radcliffe, Makayla Grace Stephens
Osterburg – Nickie Sue VanPelt
Patton – Caitlyn Renae Carnahan, Reese Garrison, Ena Lee Lopez, Emerson Riley Packard, Brenda Rosenthal
Penn Run – Elaine R. Altemus, Lilly Anna Nichole Uhler
Philipsburg – Hannah Jane Mandell
Pleasant Gap – Blair Eckley-Jones
Portage – Hannah Michelle Hurtack, Lauren Marie Lockard, Jake Matthew Nolan
Revloc – Raven Makayla Lutman, Sharleen Waa
Roaring Spring – Kerstin Dawn Corle, Mya Nicole Giordano
Rockwood – Shania Ruth Ehrhardt, Luke Thomas Ream
Saint Benedict – Lexie Lee Kutchman
Saint Michael – Quinn Miguel Yuschick
Salisbury – Chelsey Penwell
Scranton – Tajada Oneal
Seward – Nikki Dawn Zimmerman
Shirleysburg – London C. Brumbaugh
Somerset – Reagan Michele Brenneman, Faith Renee Custer, Hailey Ann Friedline, Samantha Elizabeth Katz, Carlie Anne Knott, Aleah Marie Perry, Austin Lynn Reichhold
South Fork – Bella Marie Hunter, Emmie Marie Johns, Tresa Ann Mackel, Matthew O. Knepper
Spring Mills – Samantha Brown, Brandon Richard Corl, Maddie Bin Christian Shaffer
Spruce Creek – Hailey Dawn Weyer
Stoystown – Tara Jean King, Travis Jo Ware
Summerhill – Gus Christopher Wirfel
Tyrone – Morgan Elizabeth Crocefoglia, Adriana Elizabeth Kessler, Jaylynn McConnell, Leanna Jolene Rhoads, Jillian Nicole Soule
Williamsburg – Kayla Marie Kephart
Windber – David Anthony Bernecky, Madison Belle Cominsky, Carley Lynn Harr, Trinity Jade Klucik, Mason Carter Popovich, Cayden Taylor Thompson, Kat Lynn Walker
The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation has received a $2,500 donation from 1ST SUMMIT BANK, with the contribution being directed towards the College’s Educational Income Tax Credit (EITC) fund.
The donation will empower the bank and other institutions to provide valuable support to the educational initiatives offered by the College.
This contribution plays a pivotal role in facilitating reduced-price class offerings for students enrolled in the Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program or participating in dual enrollment.
“Thanks to 1ST SUMMIT BANK’s continued investment in the EITC program, more students can experience college-level learning while still in high school,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “Their support keeps ACE and Dual Enrollment tuition among the lowest in the region, opening doors for families, and helping students prepare for successful futures.”
EITC provides high school students with the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses. By earning credits through this program, students can explore the offerings of Penn Highlands and gain valuable insights into their prospects.
Since 2023, the EITC Program has received over $35,000 in funding. enabling the College to provide over 2,000 participating students with more than 7,000 credits at discounted rates.
Penn Highlands President Dr. Steve Nunez (left), Director of the College Foundation Carole VanMeter, and 1ST SUMMIT BANK Assistant Vice President & Business Relationship Manager Sean McCool pose for a photo showing the bank’s donation to the College Foundation on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
The Pennsylvania Highlands Bowling Team has released its schedule for the 2026 campaign.
The defending Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) and Region 20 champions will compete in six regular season matches, two of which will be at home. Penn Highlands will also participate in two postseason tournaments, hoping to earn a spot in the NJCAA Bowling Championships.
Penn Highlands will begin its season by hosting a WPCC match on January 13 at 814 Lanes & Games in Johnstown. All dates and times are subject to change. The full regular season schedule is as follows:
January 13 at 814 Lanes & Games (Johnstown, PA)
January 16 at Main Bowling Center (Greensburg, PA)
January 20 at Coral Lanes & Lounge (West Mifflin, PA)
January 23 at Main Bowling Center (Greensburg, PA)
January 27 at 814 Lanes & Games (Johnstown, PA)
January 30 at Coral Lanes & Lounge (West Mifflin, PA)
The Black Bears will then compete in the WPCC Tournament on February 6 at Main Bowling Center and the Region 20 Tournament on February 13 at Coral Lanes & Lounge.
Qualifiers will advance to the NJCAA Bowling Championships, set for March 5-7 at Royal Scot Golf & Bowl in Lansing, Michigan.
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.
Penn Highlands freshmen Aidan Barnick and Riley Olish, as well as sophomore Tara Corradini, were recently named to the NJCAA Women’s Volleyball Division III All-Region 20 Team.
Barnick earned a spot on the First Team as a setter, while Corradini and Olish were given Honorable Mention.
The Black Bears finished as Region 20 runner-up for the second time in program history, while also earning runner-up in the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) for the first time.
Barnick (Boswell, PA) compiled 187 assists, 91 digs, 22 serving aces and 21 kills in 16 games, with her assist total ranking second in the region.
Corradini (Central City, PA) totaled 177 digs and 12 service aces as the team’s libero. Her dig total was fourth in the region while ranking first in digs per set (4.54).
Olish (Northern Cambria, PA) recorded 150 kills, which ranked fourth in the region, along with being second in kills per set (3,41), hitting percentage (.301) and solo blocks (16). She also tallied 97 digs and 10 aces.
Barnick and Olish were also named to the WPCC All-Conference Team for 2025. Corradini earned WPCC/Region 20 All-Tournament Team honors, alongside Olish.
January 13 at 814 Lanes & Games (Johnstown, PA)
