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Willie Harris Named Wrestling Coach; Looking Forward To Inaugural Season

Willie Harris has been hired as the first head coach of the Men’s and Women’s Wrestling program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

Willie Harris, Wrestling Coach

Harris will lead the Black Bears into their inaugural season of competition, which begins in Fall 2025. The wrestling program is set to ignite a new era of athletic achievement at the College, with recruitment efforts already underway to assemble a competitive team.

“This is exciting,” Harris stated. “Penn Highlands is a place that many people thought would be a good spot for a program, considering the success of wrestling within the area. I want to help give these athletes an opportunity to chase their goals and be at the next level for both wrestling and education.”

Harris is a former standout wrestler for Greater Johnstown High School, where he won both a District 6 and Northwest Regional Championship at the Class 3A level. Over his three years as a Trojan, Harris compiled a 90-15 overall record.

His performances led to a scholarship offer to wrestle at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown under legendary coach Pat Pecora, where he competed for two years before transferring to Saint Francis University to play football.

After the completion of his athletic career, Harris spent nine years as the head wrestling coach at Greater Johnstown from 2014-23. He also coached multiple youth programs in the Laurel Highlands area and served as an assistant at Westmont Hilltop High School last winter.

“Coaching within the area has been a big plus,” Harris stated. “A lot of the kids I’ve interacted with are now starting to get into the college age. That should be a big advantage for us in the hopes we can build something special at the College.”

Black Bear Athletics competes in Region 20 as a member of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference.

Non-Profit Learning Center Established To Assist Organizations With Recruitment & Training

Workforce Education at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has launched a Non-Profit Learning Center at the College’s Richland Campus.

The Non-Profit Learning Center is dedicated to assisting non-profit organizations in workforce recruitment and training by providing classes, workshops, and events specifically designed for their needs. Recognizing that these agencies frequently lack funding for staff development, the Center was established to bridge this gap.

This Center will develop and offer cost-effective, relevant training programs for non-profit employees who provide essential services to the residents of Cambria and Somerset Counties. With 140 non-profit agencies and over 900 employees in these counties, the Center’s impact will be significant.

“The Non-Profit Learning Center will empower our local non-profits to access quality training using our College’s resources,” said Julie Davis, Director of Workforce Education. “We are excited to collaborate with these organizations and provide them with the tools necessary to enhance their operations and make a positive impact in our community. ”

With the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies providing $20,000 in funding, the Center will continue to operate through additional grants and partnership contributions. In 2025, the Non-Profit Learning Center plans to offer annual training sessions, a non-profit learning symposium, two 4-hour workshops, and access to the Use of Force Simulator. The non-profit learning symposium will be held to celebrate National Non-Profit Day.

Partnering with the Non-Profit Learning Center is free. To become a member, contact Workforce Education at 814.262.3813 or email workforceed@pennhighlands.edu.

Amanda Artim Appointed To Foundation Board Of Directors

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation welcomed Amanda Artim as the latest addition to its Board of Directors. 

Amanda Artim

Artim joins the Board of Directors for a three-year term that will be up for immediate renewal upon expiration in 2027. 

“I am so proud to be a part of such an esteemed group of business leaders,” Artim stated. “When I first met the leadership team at the Foundation, I immediately recognized a special group. Many board members, along with Dr. Steve Nunez, share my passions. I’m eager to see how my commitment to community growth can contribute to this remarkable team and witness the development of Penn Highlands, an asset to our community.” 

Artim owns Balance Restaurant in Johnstown, PA. Before this, she dedicated 22 years to Cambria-Rowe Business College, where she began her career as an Administrative Assistant, advanced to Admissions, and ultimately served as the Executive Director. 

Artim founded the Our Community, Our Children Chef Auction, now hosted by the Pennsylvania Highlands Foundation. She also established the annual Cambria County College Fair, which is held at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College. 

“Amanda brings great experience, knowledge, and a caring personality to our Board of Directors,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “Her dedication to our community and its future is truly inspiring.” 

Cregg Dibert Named New Police Academy Director

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has named Cregg Dibert as the new Director of the Pennsylvania Highlands Police Academy. 

Dibert will succeed former Director Dennis Miller, who, before his retirement, guided the Academy through its first two years at the College from 2022 to 2024. 

“I’m certainly pleased with being involved in the Police Academy, mainly because I feel this is one of the most important things the College does,” Dibert stated. “We are training the next generation of law enforcement officers. Given the significant shortage of officers, we are committed to supporting the community by offering them a dedicated training facility.” 

Since 2014, Dibert has been the Director of Security and Safety at Penn Highlands Community College. He has also served as a Police Academy instructor for the past two years. He holds certifications as a general instructor, as well as in defensive tactics, physical training, and firearms. 

Prior to Penn Highlands, Dibert worked with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office in San Jose, California, for 14 years from 1999 to 2013. During his tenure, Dibert served in multiple divisions of the Department, including Court Security, Special Operations, and Civil/Fugitive Warrants. 

He also has more than 10 years of law enforcement teaching experience over his career. 

“So far, we’ve had two full classes in the Academy, and we’ve done a good job of getting it started,” Dibert stated. “There is still a lot of room to move forward, and there are opportunities to make improvements. We want to enhance the training, increase enrollment, and most importantly, produce the best-trained cadets that we possibly can.” 

A resident of the Laurel Highlands area, Dibert holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris University.  

Second Class Inducted Into Athletics Hall Of Fame

On Friday, November 15, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College held a ceremony to induct the second class into the Black Bear Athletics Hall of Fame.

The six-member class was enshrined in conjunction with the unveiling of the College’s renovated gymnasium at the Richland Campus and before the Men’s Basketball home opener.

“It’s an honor to recognize these former student-athletes and coaches who helped put Penn Highlands athletics on the map,” stated Sue Brugh, Director of Student Activities and Athletics. “They forged a path during the early years, laying the foundation for future success.”

The members of the Class of 2024 include:

• Tim Biakapia (Germantown, MD, 2016-18) – A two-time NJCAA National Player of the Week, Biakapia is the all-time scoring leader at Penn Highlands with 1,202 career points and second all-time in career rebounds with 667. He ranked 2nd in the NJCAA in defensive rebounds (263), third in total rebounds (385), and fourth in points per season (659). After Penn Highlands, Biakapia transferred to NAIA Division I Shawnee State where he had 451 career points, 290 rebounds, 86 assists, and 35 steals in two years. He graduated with a degree in Sports Studies.
• Sarah Fisher Nulton (Johnstown, PA, 2015) – In her lone season at Penn Highlands, Fisher Nulton compiled 163 kills, 168 digs, 62 blocks, and a .360 hitting percentage for the Women’s Volleyball team. She was named to the WPCC All-Academic Team, WPCC All-Conference Team, and the All-Region 20 Team in 2015. After Penn Highlands, she transferred to Mount Aloysius College where she was named First Team All-Conference for the Mounties and graduated with a degree in Nursing.
• Landon Loya (Salisbury, PA, 1999-2000, 2009-21) – Loya played on the first men’s basketball team in school history in 1999-2000 and became a student assistant coach during his second season. He was then hired as the men’s basketball coach in 2010 and also began coaching the women’s volleyball team in 2014. Loya led the men’s basketball team to a WPCC Championship in 2017-18 and a Region 20 runner-up finish in 2020-21.
• Ben Mostoller (Johnstown, PA, 2014-17) – Mostoller was instrumental in creating the Bowling Club at Penn Highlands in 2014-15 that eventually became an official NJCAA sport the next year. He then became the first WPCC Singles Champion in school history in 2016 before service as a volunteer assistant coach in 2017. Mostoller is currently employed at Penn Highlands as a Career Pathways Specialist.
• Maddie Sprankle Dorian (Johnstown, PA, 2017-19) – Sprankle Dorian was the first student-athlete in school history to compete in a national event, finishing 27th out of 136 runners at the NJCAA Cross Country Championships. In basketball, she averaged 15.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game in her lone season. She garnered multiple accolades, including All-Region 20 Women’s Cross Country First Team, All Region 20 Women’s Basketball Honorable Mention, and Western Pennsylvania Collegiate All-Conference for both Cross Country and Women’s Basketball. After Penn Highlands, she transferred to Penn State Dubois and played basketball for two seasons before earning a bachelor’s degree.
• 2017-18 Men’s Basketball Team – The 2017-18 Black Bears posted the winningest season in school history, finishing with an 18-9 overall record and claiming Penn Highlands’ first Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference championship. Members of the team included Bryan Acosta, Tyler Bennett, Tim Biakapia, Peyton Brown, Antonio Carter, Anthony Cornetti, Chandler Enos, Jordan Fortson, Prince Griffon, Denzel Mobley, Hunter Thomas, Nathan Thropp, and Von Yoder, as well as Head Coach Landon Loya and Volunteer Assistant Coach Justin Harris.

Black Bear Athletics competes in Region 20 as a member of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference. At Penn Highlands, NJCAA sports offerings include basketball, bowling, cross country, eSports, golf, softball, volleyball, and wrestling.

Members of the Black Bear Athletics Hall of Fame, Second Class. Inducted on Friday, November 15, 2024. Pictured from left to right: Landon Loya, Jordan Fortson, Justin Harris, Tim Biakapia, Hunter Thomas, Peyton Brown, Denzel Mobley, Chandler Enos, Bryan Acosta, Ben Mostoller, Maddie Sprankle Dorian, Sarah Fisher Nulton