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First National Bank Donates $3,000 To The EITC Fund

First National Bank’s Senior Vice President and Regional Credit Officer, Greg Winger, recently presented a $3,000 donation to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation. This contribution will be directed towards the College’s Educational Income Tax Credit (EITC) fund, further supporting its mission and initiatives.

This generous donation will empower the bank and other institutions to contribute to the educational initiatives offered by the College. By maintaining its EITC status and with the support of this exceptional contribution, Penn Highlands will be able to provide classes at a reduced price for students in the Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program and those enrolled in dual enrollment.

“First National Bank’s donation to the EITC program illustrates our shared commitment to fostering community growth and providing valuable opportunities,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “This support ensures that we can continue to offer affordable, high-quality education, empowering students to become competent and impactful members of our community.”

EITC supports high school students by offering the opportunity to enroll in college-level courses. Through this program, students can earn credits and gain insight into the potential futures that Penn Highlands can provide them with.

“First National Bank is pleased to continue our long-standing support of Penn Highlands’ mission and its students,” stated Winger, who also serves as Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees.

Since 2023, the EITC Program has received over $30,000 in funding, enabling the College to provide over 2,000 participating students with more than 7,000 credits at discounted rates.

Photo may accompany article. Photo is of the check donation to the College, taken at the College’s Richland Campus. Pictured Left to Right: Greg Winger, Senior Vice President and Regional Credit Officer at First National Bank; Dr. Steve Nunez, College President; Jeff Wood, College Foundation Board of Directors President; and Carole VanMeter, College Director of the Foundation.

Penn Highlands & Saint Francis Expand Articulation Agreement To Support Students

Penn Highlands Community College (Penn Highlands) and Saint Francis University (SFU) have signed an expanded 3+1 articulation agreement that provides Penn Highlands students with seamless pathways to earn bachelor’s degrees in various high-demand career fields.

The agreement facilitates transfer opportunities for Penn Highlands students in Accounting, Management, Organizational Leadership, Behavioral Science, Computer Systems Management, Early Childhood Education, Interdisciplinary Healthcare Studies, Marketing, and Healthcare Management. These fields represent growing career opportunities, and the partnership is designed to empower students to achieve their educational and professional aspirations.

Articulation agreements like this 3+1 program provide a seamless transfer process, ensuring students can maximize the credits they’ve earned and reduce the time and cost of completing their degrees. Students benefit from clear pathways to advanced education, expert guidance on courses that transfer, opportunities to build skills in areas critical to today’s workforce, and access to discounted tuition pricing through Saint Francis University’s Division of Professional Studies.

“This expanded 3+1 articulation agreement exemplifies our commitment to creating meaningful educational opportunities for our students,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands Community College President. “By providing seamless transfer pathways, access to high-demand career fields, and significant financial advantages, we are ensuring that our students have the tools and support they need to achieve their educational and professional goals.”

“Saint Francis University is committed to supporting students as they advance their education and careers,” said Saint Francis University President, Father Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., Ph.D. “This expanded agreement not only offers flexible pathways to degrees in essential fields but also provides financial benefits and streamlined processes that make it easier for students to succeed.”

Penn Highlands students will benefit from clear pathways to advanced education and a 25% tuition scholarship for online programs offered through the Division of Professional Studies at Saint Francis University, making higher education more accessible and affordable. In addition to these financial and academic benefits, students gain access to a variety of flexible learning options, personalized support services, and the opportunity to pursue degrees in fields that are in high demand, ensuring they are well-prepared for successful careers.

For more information on transfer opportunities, click here.

About Saint Francis University
Saint Francis University (Loretto, PA) is the oldest Catholic-Franciscan college in the United States. Its mission is to help students grow into compassionate, successful professionals through a culture of faith, generosity, respect, discovery, and joy. Saint Francis University offers traditional campus-based learning and competitive online and graduate degree offerings.

1ST SUMMIT BANK Donates $2,500 To The EITC Fund

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation has received a $2,500 donation from 1ST SUMMIT BANK. This contribution will be 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.

“Both 1ST SUMMIT BANK and the Penn Highlands ACE/Dual Enrollment program play vital roles in enhancing educational opportunities and supporting the overall well-being of the community,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “1ST SUMMIT BANK’s generous donation ensures the College can continue to offer these affordable educational opportunities to our community.”

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.

“We are thrilled to be able to take advantage of the Education Improvement Tax Credit program, which allows us to allocate some of our tax dollars directly to those institutions within our market area that provide quality education,” stated Eric Renner, President and CEO of 1ST SUMMIT BANK. “Penn Highlands Community College is a tremendous resource for adults of all ages to grow their knowledge and advance their careers. It is a true honor to have a part in supporting that growth in our market.”

Since 2023, the EITC Program has received over $30,000 in funding. enabling the College to provide over 2,000 participating students with more than 7,000 credits at discounted rates.

Photo may accompany article. Photo is of the check donation to the College, taken at the College’s Richland Campus. Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Steve Nunez, College President; Sean McCool, AVP & Business Relations Manager at 1ST SUMMIT BANK; Jeff Wood, College Foundation Board of Directors President; Carole VanMeter, College Director of the Foundation.

Willie Harris Named Wrestling Coach; Looking Forward To Inaugural Season

Willie Harris has been hired as the first head coach of the Men’s and Women’s Wrestling program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

Willie Harris, Wrestling Coach

Harris will lead the Black Bears into their inaugural season of competition, which begins in Fall 2025. The wrestling program is set to ignite a new era of athletic achievement at the College, with recruitment efforts already underway to assemble a competitive team.

“This is exciting,” Harris stated. “Penn Highlands is a place that many people thought would be a good spot for a program, considering the success of wrestling within the area. I want to help give these athletes an opportunity to chase their goals and be at the next level for both wrestling and education.”

Harris is a former standout wrestler for Greater Johnstown High School, where he won both a District 6 and Northwest Regional Championship at the Class 3A level. Over his three years as a Trojan, Harris compiled a 90-15 overall record.

His performances led to a scholarship offer to wrestle at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown under legendary coach Pat Pecora, where he competed for two years before transferring to Saint Francis University to play football.

After the completion of his athletic career, Harris spent nine years as the head wrestling coach at Greater Johnstown from 2014-23. He also coached multiple youth programs in the Laurel Highlands area and served as an assistant at Westmont Hilltop High School last winter.

“Coaching within the area has been a big plus,” Harris stated. “A lot of the kids I’ve interacted with are now starting to get into the college age. That should be a big advantage for us in the hopes we can build something special at the College.”

Black Bear Athletics competes in Region 20 as a member of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference.

Non-Profit Learning Center Established To Assist Organizations With Recruitment & Training

Workforce Education at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has launched a Non-Profit Learning Center at the College’s Richland Campus.

The Non-Profit Learning Center is dedicated to assisting non-profit organizations in workforce recruitment and training by providing classes, workshops, and events specifically designed for their needs. Recognizing that these agencies frequently lack funding for staff development, the Center was established to bridge this gap.

This Center will develop and offer cost-effective, relevant training programs for non-profit employees who provide essential services to the residents of Cambria and Somerset Counties. With 140 non-profit agencies and over 900 employees in these counties, the Center’s impact will be significant.

“The Non-Profit Learning Center will empower our local non-profits to access quality training using our College’s resources,” said Julie Davis, Director of Workforce Education. “We are excited to collaborate with these organizations and provide them with the tools necessary to enhance their operations and make a positive impact in our community. ”

With the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies providing $20,000 in funding, the Center will continue to operate through additional grants and partnership contributions. In 2025, the Non-Profit Learning Center plans to offer annual training sessions, a non-profit learning symposium, two 4-hour workshops, and access to the Use of Force Simulator.

Partnering with the Non-Profit Learning Center is free. To become a member, contact Workforce Education at 814.262.3813 or email workforceed@pennhighlands.edu.