Newsroom

Penn State Announces Collaboration With PA Community Colleges

Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses and the state’s community colleges have announced a new collaboration aimed at expanding educational opportunities in Pennsylvania and removing barriers to degree completion among college students. The collaboration builds upon longstanding relationships between the campuses and the community colleges and a shared commitment to access and affordability in higher education.

As part of the new initiative, individual Commonwealth Campuses and community colleges will renew or enter into new articulation agreements using a standard template. Articulation agreements help streamline the process for students to transfer from community colleges to the campuses. In addition, the community colleges and Commonwealth Campuses will work together to strengthen academic advising and transition support services, further easing the transfer process.

The collaboration will promote the availability of RaiseME Transfer Scholarships. Penn State currently participates in the RaiseME initiative, which enables students who enroll at Pennsylvania community colleges and transfer to Penn State Commonwealth Campuses to earn a baccalaureate degree at considerable savings. Students can start earning a Penn State RaiseMe scholarship while working toward graduation at a community college. They earn micro-scholarships for achievements such as getting good grades, participating in co-curricular activities or volunteering in the community. When they transfer to Penn State, the micro-scholarships are converted to a Penn State scholarship.

The Commonwealth Campus and community college collaboration also establishes a common dual admission program. Pennsylvania community college students with a high school degree who are enrolled in an associate degree program may request dual admission to a designated Penn State Commonwealth Campus and receive a conditional offer of admission to that campus. During their last semester of community college enrollment, these students will submit a transfer application at no fee. They will be guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program at that campus, provided certain eligibility requirements have been met. Students can learn more about this opportunity at Penn State’s undergraduate admissions website.

Foundation Announces Creation Of The Basic Hygiene Project

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation has developed The Basic Hygiene Project, an initiative that will supply Pennsylvania Highlands Community College students with full-size hygiene products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, and other items.

Former students Renu Williams and Laura McNutt conceptualized the idea. They delivered a compelling presentation to administrators, advocating for the importance of hygiene products and highlighting their potential impact on students at the institution.

“The Basic Hygiene Project’s mission and goal was to help students at all locations lessen their need for essential hygiene items,” Williams stated. “Being a student myself, I know how expensive college can be. The cost of transportation, books, food, and everyday items can add up. This is just one way we can make a student’s life easier.”

The Basic Hygiene Project will be housed in the KEYS Office, alongside the Black Bear Food Share Program, and in the Student Activities Office at the College’s Richland Campus. All locations will also have a cart with hygiene items for students to take as needed.

“This falls under a similar mission as the Black Bear Food Share Program,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “We’re giving students all of the essential items they need to take care of themselves.”

The College Foundation has already begun acquiring supplies. Inquiries have also been sent to local dentists and doctors to make donations to the program.

Creation of The Basic Hygiene Project was made possible through funding received via the PA Hunger-Free Grant.

Brady Huss Earns Two Honors At WPCC Bowling Tournament

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College freshman Brady Huss claimed the All-Events Championship and finished runner-up in the male singles division at the recent Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) Bowling Tournament held at Coral Lanes in West Mifflin, PA.

Brady Huss, 2024 Black Bear Bowler

Huss (Richland Township, PA) compiled a total score of 1,995 over nine games, a 221.7 average, to win the all-events title, which included the singles, doubles, and team divisions. He also finished runner-up in the male singles division with a score of 610 after tallying 183, 204, and 223 in the three-game series. Huss was narrowly second to Trevon Scott of the Community College of Allegheny County, who scored 618.

“I was able to power through the rough patches and stay focused on the goal,” Huss stated. “I’m glad I managed to get the job done and achieve these accolades and recognition for Penn Highlands.”

Huss became the second male Penn Highlands bowler to win the All-Events Championship. He is also the highest male finisher in the singles division since Ben Mostoller took first place in the 2016 season.

“We are all very excited and proud of what Brady has accomplished in his first season as a Black Bear bowler,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities & Athletics. “We are looking forward to seeing what he can do next.”

College Foundation Donates To Black Bear Athletics To Help With Uniform Purchase

Black Bear Athletics at Pennsylvania Highlands received a generous donation of $3,500 from the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation. This contribution helped fund the purchase of new uniforms for their respective volleyball and basketball seasons.

Both athletic programs added a set of home and away jerseys. The volleyball team will wear either black or green jerseys for home and away games. The basketball team will sport a white jersey at home and black for on the road.

“We are very thankful for this donation from the College Foundation,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “In the past, we have tended to wear our uniforms for an extended period. These uniforms are a terrific addition, and hopefully, they will both look good and play well in them.”

Carole VanMeter, the Penn Highlands Community College Foundation Director, stated the idea of having new uniforms was a morale booster aimed at students taking more pride in their college.

“Each year, the College Foundation looks to see what needs the college has, and then we decide on how we can fulfill those needs,” VanMeter stated. “It is honestly the simple notion of learning they just needed some help. It is the Foundation’s duty to improve student experience.”

The College Foundation also donated dress uniforms to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy’s Inaugural Class of cadets in Fall 2022.

Black Bear athletes show off the new uniforms purchased with assistance from the College Foundation.

New Behavioral Sciences Degree Start This Fall Semester

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the start of a new online program, the Associate of Arts in Behavioral Sciences degree. This exciting opportunity will be available for enrollment starting with the Fall 2024 semester. Students can pursue this degree and their academic goals conveniently and flexibly, with the added advantage of it being in a 100 percent online format.

The Behavioral Sciences degree provides an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the underlying psychological and social mechanisms that drive it. This program integrates concepts from psychology, social work, and criminology, enabling students to develop a comprehensive perspective on individual and societal actions.

“The new behavioral sciences degree at Penn Highlands is designed for students who are interested in the helping professions, like psychology, social work, criminal justice, and education, but may not be sure in which area to focus,” stated Daniella Cope, Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Program Coordinator at Penn Highlands.

“Students have the option to concentrate coursework in one of these areas, take a little bit of everything, and transfer applicable prior credits into the degree. The program’s delivery is online for the student who needs flexibility to balance work, family, and educational advancement. With an associate degree in behavioral sciences, graduates can begin working in the field or transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.”

To earn the degree, students must complete 62 credits under four sections, including General Education Requirements (23 credits), Major Requirements (12), Major Electives (22), and Free Electives (6).

The program is designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution with the goal of earning a bachelor’s degree in a social science field. It is also suitable for those seeking entry-level positions in various human service roles after graduation.

Graduates will be prepared for entry-level employment in social and behavioral sciences. Positions include Human Resources intern, pharmacy technician, home health aide, law enforcement officer, office administrator, assistant counselor, teacher’s aide, and social worker assistant.