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College To Open New Centre County Location In Bellefonte

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced that it has signed a lease in Bellefonte, PA to open a new facility. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is set to open its latest educational location, the Centre County facility, in late 2024. This new location will offer a blend of in-person courses eligible for transfer and comprehensive online degree programs.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Centre County (Penn Highlands Centre County), as it will be known, is designed to serve residents from all over the region and will be housed on the second floor of the converted Pennsylvania Match Company building on Phoenix Avenue in Bellefonte Borough. The 5,200-square-foot establishment will contain three classrooms, one computer lab, one conference room, five faculty and/or employee offices, and a student activity area.

“It is with great excitement that Penn Highlands is opening a new educational location in Bellefonte,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands Community College President. “I pledge that the College will remain focused on its mission of providing affordable, accessible, and quality education to Centre County, that we will remain community-focused, and that we will build strong partnerships that will enhance the prosperity of the region.”

Penn Highlands Centre County plans to initially focus its academic offerings on transfer-based programming. Transfer programs typically include Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees. These programs aim to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to smoothly transition after earning an associate degree. The College currently has 166 articulation agreements with 33 colleges and universities.

Moreover, the College provides an extensive selection of online programs accessible to students in Centre County and beyond. Penn Highlands Centre County offers a range of in-person services and support for online students. It will serve as a valuable resource for those seeking assistance, providing access to various resources and personalized guidance to enhance their learning experience. This seamless integration of online and in-person resources guarantees a comprehensive and convenient learning experience for all individuals involved.

As Pennsylvania Highlands Community College aims to deliver meaningful academic programs for students within the region, the College has formed an Advisory Council comprising of professionals and business industry experts from across Centre County. These council members will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our Bellefonte community through the recommendation of quality programming to meet regional needs. The first Advisory Council meeting was held in February.

“The choice made by Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to establish a presence in Bellefonte is an extraordinary one for the people in this region,” stated Ralph Stewart, Borough Manager for Bellefonte. “The faculty and staff exemplify excellence, driven by their passion to positively impact lives through affordable and high-quality education for career success. Presently, there exists an unparalleled opportunity to pursue employment in any industry, provided you possess the necessary education. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College brings this opportunity to our area.”

During the 2022-2023 academic year, community colleges in Pennsylvania educated 236,000 undergraduate students, representing 48% of all undergraduates in the state. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College was among the institutions pivotal in offering educational opportunities to students in Pennsylvania. With a mission to expand access to quality education, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College looks to provide excellence and ensure educational growth for all.

To enhance classroom space and provide an authentic college experience, minor construction is scheduled to take place at Penn Highlands Centre County before the start of fall classes in August.

Wellness Showcase To Highlight Health & Well-Being Coming March 19

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Wellness Committee will be hosting a Wellness Showcase on Tuesday, March 19, from 11 AM to 2 PM in the main hallway of the College’s Richland Campus.

The event will be an exhibit of local businesses relating to the various aspects of wellness, comprising eight mutually co-dependent dimensions: emotional, physical, occupational, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial.

Achieving a harmonious balance across all dimensions of wellness is crucial for one’s overall well-being. This is what the Wellness Committee aims to cultivate within the Penn Highlands community.

Fifteen businesses have confirmed their attendance for the event, including Highlands Health Medical Clinic, The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and United Way of the Southern Alleghenies.

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.”