Newsroom

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.”

College Foundation Donates To Black Bear Athletics To Help With Uniform Purchase

Black Bear Athletics at Pennsylvania Highlands received a generous donation of $3,500 from the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation. This contribution helped fund the purchase of new uniforms for their respective volleyball and basketball seasons.

Both athletic programs added a set of home and away jerseys. The volleyball team will wear either black or green jerseys for home and away games. The basketball team will sport a white jersey at home and black for on the road.

“We are very thankful for this donation from the College Foundation,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “In the past, we have tended to wear our uniforms for an extended period. These uniforms are a terrific addition, and hopefully, they will both look good and play well in them.”

Carole VanMeter, the Penn Highlands Community College Foundation Director, stated the idea of having new uniforms was a morale booster aimed at students taking more pride in their college.

“Each year, the College Foundation looks to see what needs the college has, and then we decide on how we can fulfill those needs,” VanMeter stated. “It is honestly the simple notion of learning they just needed some help. It is the Foundation’s duty to improve student experience.”

The College Foundation also donated dress uniforms to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy’s Inaugural Class of cadets in Fall 2022.

Black Bear athletes show off the new uniforms purchased with assistance from the College Foundation.