Newsroom

Christopher Weakley Hired As Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has hired Christopher Weakley as the new head coach of the Men’s Basketball program.

Weakley will replace former coach Quan Britt, who guided the Black Bears for three seasons from 2021 to 2024.

“I saw this job as an opportunity to build the program around the way coach Quan had it,” Weakley stated. “I saw many possibilities for growth. I told the administration I’m coming here to win and continue to expand the program. I see it as a great fit for both me and the College. I’m very excited to get started.”

Weakley brings extensive basketball experience in both playing and coaching, highlighted by stints with several NBA organizations from 2003 to 2008.

He has also played and coached overseas in China, Japan, Brazil, Australia, and throughout Europe. In the United States, Weakley has led three different college programs, as well as being the head coach of the Draft City Ballers, a team in the NBA-endorsed Miami Pro League, in 2023.

“I want to keep the College’s tradition of winning,” Weakley stated. “We want to win and help our guys get to the next level. We have a great team that believes in working hard and understands what our goals are.”

Christopher Weakley

Joe Hurd Appointed to the College’s Board of Trustees

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has appointed Joe Hurd to the Board of Trustees as the College’s new Blair County representative.

Joe Hurd

Hurd’s duties as the Blair County representative will be to bring forward the interests of the region regarding educational advancement. His initial term will expire on July 31, 2026, when he will be eligible for a three-year reappointment. He is replacing former Trustee James Foreman, who resigned from the Board of Trustees in June.

“I am honored to be asked to serve on the Penn Highlands Community College Board of Trustees,” Hurd stated. “I’ve served on the Advisory Board for multiple years and have been impressed with the level of commitment from the staff, as well as those business leaders who understand the importance of higher education.”

In August, Hurd retired as the Chief Executive Officer/President of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce, a position he held for the past 27 years.

Hurd holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Shippensburg University.

“Community Colleges serve an incredibly vital role in assuring that people, young and old, can continue the process of lifelong learning,” Hurd stated. “It’s a personal passion of mine, and I’m excited to get started.”

College Designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through the 2029 academic year. 

The nomination acknowledges that all cybersecurity and related programs at Penn Highlands align with the nationwide educational standards established by the National Security Agency (NSA). 

“We are excited to have the opportunity to provide our community and nation with well-rounded cybersecurity professionals,” stated Erica Reighard, Dean of Faculty. “This designation recognizes Penn Highlands Community College’s commitment to academic excellence.” 

To earn this designation, the College underwent a comprehensive review process with four key checkpoints: demonstrating a conducive learning environment, employing qualified faculty, offering an approved curriculum, and highlighting learning outcomes in professional development. 

“This is a great way to know that we are meeting the current needs of the National Security Agency and the Department of Defense,” stated Greg Paonessa, Assistant Professor of Computer Technology. “Now, we are confident that our programs provide students with the necessary tools to achieve certifications and meet the standards necessary for the industry.”  

A total of 422 colleges in the United States have received this designation, including 20 in Pennsylvania. Penn Highlands has earned this honor for the second time, having first been designated from 2018 to 2023. It is one of only three community colleges in the state recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. 

The National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense is part of the College’s Institute for Cyber Security. Click here to learn more.  

Police Academy Holds Ceremony For Second Graduating Class

The second class of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Police Academy was honored during a graduation ceremony held at the Richland Campus Auditorium on Wednesday, September 11.

Each of the eight cadets received a certificate acknowledging their completion of the Penn Highlands Police Academy, with all eight receiving their recognition from the police chief representing the respective department they will be employed at upon graduation and successful completion of a state test.

The list of cadets, along with the department they are to be employed with, include:

• Brittney Brennan (Altoona, PA), UPMC Altoona Police Department
• Shannon Ehrhardt (Hollsopple, PA), Somerset Borough Police Department
• Shante Jones (Johnstown, PA), Johnstown Police Department
• Spencer Kauffman (Johnstown, PA), Pitt-Johnstown Campus Police
• Nathan Kniss (Geistown, PA), Ferndale Borough Police Department
• Mark Meek (Geistown, PA), Windber Borough Police Department
• Ty Stockley (Carrolltown, PA), Richland Township Police Department
• Michael Wilson (Johnstown, PA), Indian Lake Borough Police Department

Stockley was named valedictorian of the class after scoring 916 out of a possible 940 combined points on 26 tests and completion of eight different real-life scenarios.

The curriculum included subjects ranging from constitutional law, ethics, de-escalation strategies, criminal law and procedures, and search and seizure. Additionally, each cadet successfully completed practical training in physical fitness, defensive control tactics, emergency vehicle operation, firearms, first aid, and CPR, along with optional certifications in field sobriety, taser, police baton, and pepper spray.

Cadets underwent a rigorous 919 hours of instruction spanning 11 months, divided between 498 hours within a classroom and 421 hours of practical, hands-on training.

The Police Academy ran four nights per week. The cadets’ training and qualifications in firearms took place on Saturday and Sunday, spanning eight consecutive weekends.

To conclude their training at the Police Academy, cadets underwent 40 hours of practical scenario training. This comprehensive program involved three role players, each with a background in criminal justice and drawn from the local community, providing the cadets with a realistic and immersive learning experience.

A total of 10 instructors assisted in the training and certification process.

The Penn Highlands Police Academy’s third class of cadets is slated to begin training on September 30.

Foundation Chef Auction Set For Early October

After a successful event last year, the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation announced the return of its annual Chef Auction. This event is set for Wednesday, October 9, at 5 PM at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in Johnstown, PA.

Multiple local restaurants are slated to participate in the event, which will also feature both a silent and a live auction. The current list of restaurant attendees includes Ace’s, Anthony’s Restaurant, Balance Restaurant, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Harrigan’s Cafe & Wine Deck, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, and Sunnehanna Country Club, with more to be added in the near future.

“At the Chef Auction, we are not just celebrating local culinary excellence, we are investing in the future of our students,” stated Carole VanMeter, Director of the Foundation. “By supporting this event, you contribute directly to scholarships that empower students to achieve their academic and professional goals. Helping our students succeed is at the heart of the Foundation’s mission, and we invite everyone to join us in this rewarding endeavor.”

The silent auction will include many exciting items to bid on, including remarkable trips to Portugal and Spain.

Proceeds from the Chef Auction go to the College’s Supporting Scholars Fund, which includes the Destination Graduation, Emerging Leader, and Presidential Scholarships. Funds will also be allocated for future culinary scholarships, with over $8,000 already awarded to students for the 2024-25 academic year.

Last year, the event raised more than $53,000 for local students seeking a college education. This included a $25,000 donation from the 1889 Foundation that matched $28,000 in proceeds.

The College Foundation is actively seeking restaurants and sponsors to join our event. Participating restaurants will benefit from direct exposure through product sampling and potential food package auctions. Sponsors will contribute to a noble cause that directly supports students pursuing higher education. We are proud to have WorkLink Staffing and the UPMC Altoona Foundation as our Master Chef Sponsors.

The Foundation Chef Auction will be held during the College’s 30th Anniversary celebration. In honor of Pennsylvania Highlands’ milestone, this year’s Chef Auction will feature a fitting theme, so be sure to don your favorite pearls. Symbolizing purity, honesty, and wisdom, pearls are the traditional gift for a 30th anniversary.

Interested individuals should contact the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation to explore evening options. For inquiries, reach out via email at foundation@pennhighlands.edu or call 814.262.6448.

About the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation
The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation is an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the efforts of the College with financial resources and scholarships through seeking and securing funds. The College Foundation offers over 10 diverse scholarships to students pursuing an education at Penn Highlands Community College. To donate to the College Foundation, click here.