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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. 

Education Associate Degree Expands To Include Two Tracks

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is enhancing its Education associate degree by integrating it with the Early Childhood Education program. This creates a comprehensive associate degree offering two distinct pathways: elementary and secondary education.

The 61-credit Associate of Arts degree offers students the flexibility to customize their schedules, facilitating a seamless transition to their next college or university.

The Education A.A. offers an Elementary Education track approved by the Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee (TAOC) of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. This special approval enables Penn Highlands students to have a seamless program-to-program transfer with all 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools. Students who transfer using this agreement will be granted junior status upon transfer.

The Elementary Education track focuses on providing aspiring educators with foundational knowledge and skills essential for teaching young children in grades K-6. This two-year program offers a balanced curriculum that includes courses in child development, educational psychology, and curriculum planning. Students are introduced to effective teaching strategies and classroom management techniques tailored to younger learners.

The Secondary Education track is the second option offered through the Education associate degree. It focuses on providing an essential foundation for those aspiring to become educators beyond the 6th grade. This track offers a comprehensive introduction to teaching, equipping students with the critical skills and knowledge necessary to inspire and educate future generations. The degree track is a vital stepping stone towards a bachelor’s degree.

“The Education degree greatly benefits students by providing them with a strong foundation of hands-on learning and practical application of skills in a face-to-face environment,” stated Morgan Dugan, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education. “This degree not only prepares them for various levels of teaching, from Pre-K to secondary education, but also ensures a smooth transfer process to four-year institutions, aligning courses with their long-term academic goals.”

Students can also benefit from the full face-to-face setup of the program. Alongside in-person classes, students will participate in 20 hours of in-class observation at schools around the region.

There will also be opportunities to take certain classes within the program online, providing the flexibility to work around nearly any schedule.

“Being there is a teacher shortage in the job market, this program will help allow us to meet the needs of a growing workforce,” stated Erica Reighard, Dean of Faculty.

Click here for more information on the Education associate degree. This program is offered in-person at the College’s Richland Campus and the Ebensburg Center.

Penn Highlands Partners With PSU Altoona On Articulation Agreement

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced a pioneering articulation agreement with Penn State Altoona, signifying its inaugural collaboration with any of Penn State University’s Commonwealth campuses.

The agreement offers Penn Highlands students eight pathways to transfer to Penn State Altoona to complete their bachelor’s degrees after graduation. The available fields include Biology, Business, Communications, Criminal Justice, English, History, Multidisciplinary Studies, and Psychology.

“This agreement marks the culmination of a multi-year project with our colleagues at Penn State Altoona,” stated Michelle Stumpf, Dean of Enrollment Services and Registrar. “We are excited to have this opportunity for our students, particularly those we serve in Blair, Huntingdon, and Centre counties.”

Graduates from a program specified in this agreement at Penn Highlands, who maintain good standing and achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 (grade C or higher), are assured admission to Penn State.

Community college students can request dual admission to Penn State Altoona or to any Penn State Commonwealth campus by submitting an Intent to Enroll Form to PSU while enrolled at Penn Highlands.

Penn State Altoona also participates in the RaiseME Transfer Scholarship Initiative, providing grants of up to $7,000 to students upon transfer from a community college.

“By establishing seamless pathways to a diverse range of baccalaureate degree programs, the new articulation agreement between Penn State Altoona and Penn Highlands strengthens our shared commitment to providing accessible, affordable higher education options to students across the Commonwealth and beyond,” stated Dr. Peter L. Moran, Associate Dean of Policy and Planning at Penn State Altoona.

Penn Highlands partners with other higher educational institutions for the betterment of our students and our region, having 180 articulation agreements with 34 colleges and universities.