Newsroom

1ST SUMMIT BANK Donates $2,500 To College’s EITC Fund

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.

Black Bears Bowling Releases 2026 Season Schedule

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:

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.

Click here for more information on Black Bear 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.

Three Women’s Volleyball Players Named To All-Region Team

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. 

Click here for more information on Black Bear Athletics.

Police Academy Partners With Cambria County’s Shop With A Cop Program

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy is partnering with Cambria County’s Shop with a Cop program for this year’s holiday season.

Police Academy instructors and cadets will actively support the initiative by assisting with event operations and accompanying children as they shop for Christmas gifts alongside local police officers.

“As a child, I experienced the joy of a similar program, and years later, as a police officer, I had the chance to shop with kids, inspiring me to involve the Penn Highlands Police Academy,” stated Cory Fairman, Assistant Director of Police Academy & Campus Security. “My hope is that the cadets will not only assist now, but also continue this as officers, creating community connections and investing in the future of all our children. I’m thrilled to see this partnership grow and succeed.”

The Shop with a Cop program will be held on two separate dates this year. The first event is scheduled for December 9 at the Richland Township Walmart, and the second will take place on December 16 at the Ebensburg Walmart. Both events will begin at 5:30 PM.

“This partnership is dedicated to supporting and encouraging children, all while fostering trust between them and law enforcement,” stated Allyson Lonas, Cambria County Shop with a Cop Program Director. “Partnering with the Penn Highlands Police Academy strengthens our mission and creates a lasting collaboration to benefit children in our community. Thanks to the dedication of individuals and local businesses, this program is here to stay, bringing joy to kids across Cambria County during the holiday season.”

Now in its fourth year, the Shop with a Cop program continues to bring joy to children who have been victims of crime, witnessed or experienced trauma, or faced other unfortunate circumstances. The program provides these children with the opportunity to go shopping with a local police officer.

This initiative gives children a memorable holiday experience, while offering them the chance to choose gifts for themselves and their loved ones.

Donations are still being accepted to help make this event possible. A $150 contribution sponsors a child, giving them the opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts with a local officer and spend up to $150 at Walmart.

For more information or to donate, visit the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies website or visit the Cambria County Shop with a Cop Facebook page.

Marketing & Communications Team Earns Silver Medallion Award In Photography

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Marketing & Communications Team has received a District 1 Silver Medallion Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR). This honor was given at the organization’s annual District 1 Conference held on November 4, 2025.

The team took home an award in the Photography/Illustration category for an original, unmanipulated photography submission, which depicted a Black Bears softball player sliding into second base during one of the home games this past Spring.

“It is nice to see our commitment to excellence through creativity acknowledged by industry experts and peers. This medallion award reflects the dedication and professionalism of not only our Marketing and Communications team, but also the entire community of hard workers that encompass Penn Highlands Community College,” stated Raymond Weible, Jr., Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. “We are committed to continuing to create memorable moments for the region through our design and storytelling efforts.”

Since 2015, the Marketing & Communications team at Penn Highlands has won a total of 37 NCMPR Medallion and Paragon Awards, which recognizes excellence in marketing, design, and public relations at two-year schools.

Being a part of the NCMPR’s District 1, Penn Highlands was chosen out of schools from 12 states along the East Coast, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, and the United Kingdom.

Silver Medallion Award Winner: Pennsylvania Highlands freshman Brooke Snyder sliding into second base during a Region 20 softball game against Howard Community College on April 29, 2025. Photo taken by Rose Mazey.