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Franklin University Launches Pathway Portal For Penn Highlands Students

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and Franklin University have launched an innovative Pathway Portal for students. This groundbreaking tool simplifies the transition from an associate degree at Penn Highlands to a bachelor’s degree at Franklin University, maximizing the academic and financial advantages of the 3+1 transfer program.

The Franklin Pathway Portal offers real-time updates on how credits earned at Penn Highlands can contribute to a degree at Franklin University. Students from Penn Highlands can effortlessly track their completed courses and understand how they align with their chosen bachelor’s programs.

This transparency empowers students to make informed decisions, optimizing their transfer credits, while saving both time and money on their educational paths.

The Franklin Pathway Portal offers several key benefits, including:

• Optimized Course Selection: The portal suggests Franklin majors that best align with completed coursework. It also recommends additional courses that fulfill both associate and bachelor’s degree requirements.
• Program Comparison: Students can compare their selected programs with other options at Franklin, enhancing decision-making and academic planning.
• Seamless Application Process: A streamlined application within the portal allows students to efficiently transition to Franklin University to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
• Special Tuition Rate: New students enrolling at Franklin University through the Pathway Portal can benefit from a reduced tuition rate of $298 per credit hour, pending eligibility.

“I am excited to collaborate with Franklin University and explore new opportunities for Penn Highlands graduates,” stated Sabrina Lane, Transfer Services Specialist at Penn Highlands. “This portal offers an economical path to obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Franklin University, allowing students to take the maximum number of courses at Penn Highlands for a smooth transfer process.”

Click here for the Franklin Pathway Portal. 

About Franklin University
Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA. 
 
Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). 

Men’s Basketball Releases 2024-2025 Home Schedule

The Pennsylvania Highlands Men’s Basketball team has unveiled its 2024-25 home schedule, featuring games from November to February.

The Black Bears will play 12 of their 28 games at home. Penn Highlands opens the season with seven consecutive road contests, including competing in the Community College of Beaver County Tip Off Classic.

The home opener will be on Friday, November 15, at 7 PM against Penn State Greater Allegheny. The game will feature the new look of the College’s Richland Campus gymnasium and the induction of the Black Bear Athletics Hall of Fame’s second class.

All home games will be played in the Richland Campus gymnasium. Dates and times are subject to change. The full home schedule is as follows:

“I am looking forward to the season and am excited about our program as a whole,” stated first-year Head Coach Chris Weakley. “When you have a team that thinks defense first, we believe we have set the stage to win championships. Anything less is unacceptable by our standards.”

After the regular season, the Black Bears will compete in the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference/Region 20 Tournament at a site to be determined on February 21-23. The winner becomes the conference and regional champion, and will then compete in the Mid-Atlantic District Championship for a possible berth in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament.

For full schedule details, visit www.blackbearathletics.com/.

Eight Classes Being Offered During The Winter Session

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is offering eight different classes for students during its Winter Session, a four-week term running from December 16 to January 10. 

Classes offered include Microcomputer Applications, Introduction to Computer Science, Introduction to American Cinema, First Year Experience, Current Events & Public Policy Issues, Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra and History of Rock and Roll. 

With Penn Highlands currently holding articulation agreements with more than 30 schools, credits earned through these winter session classes will be easy to transfer to other colleges. All class options will be offered online.  

“Taking classes during the winter session offers students a valuable opportunity to stay on track, get ahead, or maintain momentum in completing their major,” stated Michelle Stumpf, Dean of Enrollment & Registrar. “All the classes are beneficial for our students, as well as for visiting students from other colleges seeking to complete an elective.” 

Both new students and current Penn Highlands students can now register for winter classes. The registration period closes on Friday, December 13.  

New and guest students must apply before registering for winter classes. Penn Highlands students can enroll through the myPEAK portal. During the Winter Session, all students are limited to one class, or three credits. 

Bryan Donitzen Claims WPCC Title In Cross Country

Bryan Donitzen, a freshman cross country athlete from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, won the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) Individual Championship during the WPCC/Region 20 Cross Country Meet held this past weekend in Hagerstown, Maryland.

Bryan Donitzen, Cross Country

Bryan Donitzen, Black Bears Cross CountryDonitzen (Meyersdale, PA) was the leading runner from a Division III school to cross the finish line, completing the 8K race in 33:27.88.

“Cross Country has always been my favorite sport,” Donitzen stated. “I enjoy competition and racing against new people. It was a difficult race, but a great one. I look forward to competing at nationals.”

Donitzen’s victory marks the second consecutive year a Black Bears runner won the WPCC title, joining Somerset native Chase Brenneman.

Saturday was Donitzen’s fifth time placing in the Top 15 in six races this season, which includes two Top 10 finishes.

“Bryan winning the title as a freshman is a great accomplishment,” stated Adrianne Ballarino, Cross Country Head Coach. “I am proud of him and all of my runners for their dedication this season. We will continue to work hard as we prepare for the national race.”

Fellow Black Bear Christian Haberkorn finished in 18th place with a time of 35:10.37.

The Black Bears will compete next at the NJCAA Division III National Championships on November 9 in Richmond, Virginia.

College Receives ARC Grant To Assist With Expansion

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been awarded a $49,500 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to support the acquisition of equipment and supplies for its new location in Centre County.

Announced at the end of last month, this grant offers crucial financial support for Centre County, helping cover the $99,000 cost of supplies and equipment for the new facility.

Penn Highlands previously received support from the ARC in Washington, D.C., notably in the acquisition of classroom and lab equipment for the College’s Blair Center in 2018.

“We want to emphasize the positive impact this grant will have as we work to provide new types of quality, affordable educational opportunities to students in and around Centre County,” stated Omar Strohm, Associate Vice President of Finance. “We want our students to have the most impactful resources available at their disposal.”

To secure the grant, the College underwent an application process that included contributions from Penn Highlands administration and staff, along with personnel from SEDA-COG in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. This process involved developing a project narrative, setting goals, and establishing performance measurements and expectations for the location.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is committed to delivering accessible, affordable, and high-quality educational opportunities to the communities it serves. Many rural counties, including Centre County, lack significant access to a community college.

Recognizing the presence of other esteemed postsecondary institutions in Centre County, Penn Highlands offers complementary and unique academic programs, and additional opportunities to earn a degree or certificate.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Since 1994, the College has served over 67,000 community members throughout its service region.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Region Commission is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and 13 state governments, including Pennsylvania. PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) partners with ARC and the SEDA-COG Local Development District to identify and support projects that will build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in the Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.