Newsroom

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.

Cambria County College Fair Returns To Penn Highlands

The 23rd annual Cambria County College Fair is set to take place on Tuesday, September 16, from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM, in the main gym of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College 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 Hannah Ross, Admissions Specialist at Pennsylvania Highlands. “The event will bring together vendors and representatives from across Pennsylvania and outside the state, offering various perspectives and expertise. Attendees will have numerous opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights.”

More than 50 representatives are scheduled to appear, including four-year universities, technical schools, business colleges, cosmetology schools and universities, 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 over 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.

Click here for details.

College Embraces Artificial Intelligence To Drive Innovation & Student Success

In 2024, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College began its usage of artificial intelligence (AI) across key software systems and daily operations, and has continued advancing its commitment to innovation and student success ever since.

The AI rollout streamlines administrative processes, enables personalized learning, and strengthens faculty and student support, positioning the College for the next phase of modern, learner-centered education.

“The College’s investment in AI technology will empower students with personalized learning and support tools, while providing the College with data-driven insights to ensure success for our students,” stated Gary Boast, Associate Vice President of Technology and Analytics at Penn Highlands.

Penn Highlands is implementing this work through collaborations with leading education technology providers and cloud partners, ensuring secure, scalable systems that meet higher education standards.

These operations include utilizing secure, private, and generative AI for research and planning efforts, embedding applications into the College’s phone system and virtual meeting spaces, and initiating after-hours support for students via an AI Chatbot.

The College has adopted clear AI use and governance practices, including data privacy safeguards, faculty and staff training, and ongoing review to ensure responsible use of AI.

As the rollout continues, the College will expand AI features in advising, career services, and campus operations, guided by feedback from students, faculty, and staff. Penn Highlands remains focused on the results of better service, meaningful learning, and clear pathways to opportunity.

Golf & Cross Country Release 2025 Schedules

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Golf and Cross Country teams have released their respective 2025 season schedules, rounding out the remainder of the College’s fall sports.

The Black Bears golf team is set to compete in seven Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) matches, with the match on October 3 at Windber Country Club serving as Penn Highlands’ lone home contest of the season.

All seven matches will be against WPCC opponents Butler County Community College, Community College of Allegheny County, and Westmoreland County Community College. The schedule is as follows:

The WPCC Tournament is set to take place October 6 and 7 at The Links at Spring Church in Apollo, PA, where individual and team conference champions will be crowned. Following that, the Black Bears will gear up for a spring season, running from March to June 2026. During this time, schools will vie for the Region 20 Championship and a spot in the NJCAA Golf Championships.

Cross Country will compete in four invitational races beginning on August 29 at Westmoreland County Community College. The full race schedule includes:

Penn Highlands will then travel back to Westmoreland on October 25 for the WPCC/Region 20 Meet. There, the Black Bears will have the opportunity to qualify for the NJCAA Cross Country Championships held on November 8 at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Click here for more information and schedule details. 

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.

Women’s Volleyball Unveils 2025 Game Schedule

The Pennsylvania Highlands Women’s Volleyball team has released its 2025 season schedule, consisting of 15 matches spanning August through October.

The Black Bears will play seven of their contests at home. Penn Highlands begins the season on the road at Butler County Community College on Friday, August 29 at 6 PM. The home opener will be Tuesday, September 2 against Westmoreland County Community College.

Home games will be played inside the main gymnasium at the College’s Richland Campus. All scheduled dates and times are subject to change. The full home schedule is as follows:

After the regular season, the Black Bears will host the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference/Region 20 Tournament on October 25. The winner becomes the conference and regional champion and will advance to the Mid-Atlantic District Championship for a chance to earn a berth in the NJCAA National Tournament.

For the full schedule and more details on volleyball, click here.