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Student Julius Colabove Awarded Grant To Support Mental Health & Addiction Recovery

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College student Julius Colabove II (Altoona, PA) was awarded a $500 PA Maslow Mental Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which funded his project to promote mental health and drug and alcohol recovery. 

Colabove hosted a tabling event at the College’s Blair Center in mid-March, where he created gift bags that were distributed to students. Each bag included sensory items, along with local resource flyers and brochures to help share information about the availability of help in the Blair community for those managing mental illness or substance use disorders.  

“This was a project that really hit close to home,” Colabove stated. “There are many people in our community struggling with mental health issues and addiction. I wanted to be another resource they have if they need help. I tried to keep it simple, but informative.” 

Along with being a Behavioral Sciences major at Penn Highlands, Colabove is a Certified Recovery Specialist with Blair Drug and Alcohol Partnerships. He is now three years drug-free after spending 26 years in active addiction. 

Colabove was informed he received the grant in late January after being chosen through a selection process over multiple other applications.  

“An ad for the grant was put up on the board at the Blair Center, and I just gave it a shot,” Colabove stated. “I applied for it and was on a list of considerations for a couple of months before they informed me. I’m glad I was able to promote something I’m so passionate about.” 

Police Academy To Hold Two Open Houses In April

The Pennsylvania Highlands Police Academy will be hosting open houses on Thursday, April 3 and Wednesday, April 23 at the College’s Richland Campus.

Both events will begin at 6 PM and will be held in Room A142, directly across the hall from the College’s Large Group Instruction (LGI) classroom.

“This is a great opportunity to meet the Police Academy staff and learn more about qualifying to become a cadet,” stated Cregg Dibert, Director of Police Academy & Campus Security. “There are several steps, and we will guide the applicants through the process.”

During the event, participants will gain insights into the application process, pre-screening tests, and curriculum. A guided tour of the Academy’s facilities will be provided.

Representatives from the College’s Admissions and Financial Aid offices will also be on hand to answer any questions attendees may have.

The Penn Highlands Police Academy is a certified unit of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (Act 120). Successful completion of the program will earn cadets a certificate and permit graduates to test for a Commonwealth Municipal Police Training (MPT) number required of all municipal police officers in Pennsylvania.

The Academy’s third class is slated to graduate in September 2025. Since Penn Highlands took control of the Police Academy, 18 of 19 cadets were employed by police departments upon graduation, good for a 95 percent placement rate.

Click here to learn more about the Police Academy.

Three Basketball Players Earn All-Region Team Selections

The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 20 announced that three Pennsylvania Highlands men’s basketball players were named to the All-Region 20 Team for their performances this season.

Freshmen Desmond Handon, Jr. (Baltimore, MD) and Byron Lavender, Jr. (Tampa, FL) were selected for the First Team, while sophomore Christian Harding (Washington, D.C.) was given Honorable Mention.

The trio helped lead the Black Bears to their first Region 20 Championship and the program’s third Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) title. Penn Highlands also made its first appearance in the Mid-Atlantic District Tournament in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

“I am proud of these young men for having a historic team experience, all while earning personal accolades within the WPCC and Region 20,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “Our goal is to claim both the conference and regional titles as we pursue our first district championship, a milestone that would secure our place in the National Tournament and build upon the success we’ve achieved this year.”

Handon topped the Black Bears with 15.9 points per game in 29 games. He averaged 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per contest. Handon ranked third in Region 20 in points per game, while being second in total points (460) and field goals made (166).

Lavender, the WPCC/Region 20 Tournament Most Valuable Player, appeared in all 32 games, making 25 starts, and averaged 13.9 points per game. He led Region 20 in three-point field goals made (83), was third in total field goals (149), and fourth in total points (417).

Both Handon and Lavender were awarded WPCC All-Conference honors.

Harding, one of three sophomores on the Black Bears roster and a team captain, averaged 6.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in 32 contests. His 49 total steals ranked third in Region 20, while being second in total rebounds (212), and fourth in both rebounds per game and total assists (89).

Click here to learn more about Athletics at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

Desmond Handon, Jr.

Byron Lavender, Jr.

Christian Harding

College Receives Community Impact Award From The Cambria Regional Chamber

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College was presented with a Community Impact Award during the Cambria Regional Chamber’s annual dinner in early March.

The Community Impact Award recognizes an organization that is making a difference in our region by taking positive action to invest in the community and sees social responsibility as an integral part of their success.

“This well-earned community recognition is a testament to the effort our faculty, staff, and students give daily to ensure the College stays focused on its mission to provide affordable, accessible, and quality education to the area,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, College President. “When I think of community impact, I think Penn Highlands.”

The criteria for this honor includes describing activities the organization engages in that have a positive impact on the community, how the business has invested or reinvested in the community, and examples of how the business has had a positive impact on the local community.

“We were proud to present the Chamber’s Community Impact Award to Penn Highlands Community College, a true catalyst for growth and innovation in our region,” stated Amy Bradley, Cambria Regional Chamber President. “Penn Highlands exemplifies forward-thinking leadership, continuously seeking creative ways to strengthen our community. Their commitment to excellence in education is matched by a deep dedication to collaboration and service, ensuring that students and the community benefit from their initiatives.”

Penn Highlands Community College is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary of providing higher education to the region, where over 5,600 students have graduated with a college credential.

“I would like to thank the College faculty and staff, the Board of Trustees, the Cambria Regional Chamber, the Cambria County Commissioners, and all of our regional partners for their unwavering support,” Nunez stated.

Community Impact Award, 2025. Presented by the Cambria Regional Chamber.

Black Bears Softball Release 2025 Season Schedule

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Women’s Softball team has released its 2025 season schedule, consisting of 29 games spanning between March and April.

The Black Bears will play 14 doubleheaders and one single-game contest. Penn Highlands Community College will open its season on March 14 at Allegany College of Maryland. The team’s home opener will be March 26 against Westmoreland County Community College.

In total, the Black Bears will play four doubleheaders, or eight games, at home. All games, sites, and times are subject to change. The full home schedule is as follows:

• March 26 vs. Westmoreland County Community College
• March 29 vs. Harford Community College
• April 6 vs. Allegany College of Maryland
• April 19 vs. Montgomery Community College

All home games are scheduled to be played at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, located next to the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Richland Campus.

“We’re very excited to get the season started,” stated Steve Costea, Women’s Softball Head Coach. “We have worked hard throughout the fall and winter, and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead. I’m confident our players are ready to compete.”

Upon completion of the regular season, the Black Bears will have the opportunity to qualify for the Northeast District Tournament on May 3-4. The winner will advance to the NJCAA World Series beginning May 21 at Carrier Park in East Syracuse, New York.

Click here to view the full schedule and game times.