Newsroom

College Hosting Two Open Houses This Fall

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be hosting Fall Admissions & Athletics Open Houses on Monday, October 13, and Tuesday, November 11. The events will take place at the College’s Richland Campus, as well as its locations in Altoona, Bellefonte, Ebensburg, and Somerset.

Each open house will have two sessions, the first at 2:30 PM and the second at 5:30 PM. Those who wish to attend can RSVP by visiting our Open House page and selecting the date you wish to attend.. The events are also open to the public.

Attendees will go through the admissions and financial aid processes, learn about activities, academics, and athletics, take a tour, and have one-on-one conversations with an admissions counselor to discuss their futures.

Our locations page provides directions and addresses for all facilities. Those who fill out a survey upon attending will be entered in a drawing to win a $250 scholarship.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been serving the region since 1994 and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Benjamin Estell Appointed To College’s Board Of Trustees

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has appointed Benjamin Estell to the Board of Trustees as the College’s Centre County representative.

Estell will take over for former board member Ralph Stewart, who resigned in April. His duties as the Centre County representative will be to bring forward the interests of the region regarding educational advancement.

Estell’s initial term will expire on July 31, 2026, at which time he will be eligible for a three-year reappointment.

“Benjamin Estell brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of regional collaboration to the Penn Highlands Board of Trustees,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Pennsylvania Highlands President. “His leadership in Centre County will be a tremendous asset to the College as we continue advancing our mission and shared goals across all the communities we serve, including Centre County. I look forward to working with Benjamin in the years ahead.”

Estell currently serves as the Executive Director of the Centre Region Council of Governments in State College. Prior to that, he was the Dormont (PA) Borough Manager from 2015-24 and the Service-Safety Director for the City of East Liverpool (OH) from 2008-15.

“I am honored to join the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees and to represent Centre County in this important role,” Estell stated. “Penn Highlands plays a vital part in expanding access to affordable, high-quality education and workforce training across our region. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow trustees, the administration, faculty, and staff to support student success, strengthen community partnerships, and help the college continue to thrive as a resource for learners of all ages.”

Estell holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina, where he earned the UNC Kenan-Flagler Leadership Initiative Designation. He also holds a Bachelor’s in French Language and Culture from Ohio State University.

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.