Newsroom

Annual Community Trick Or Treat Planned For October 29; Free To The Public

Fall is here and Halloween is almost upon us. Penn Highlands Community College knows how to celebrate the season with its annual family-friendly Community Trick or Treat, which will be held on Monday, October 29, from 5:30pm to 7pm, at the College’s Richland Campus.

This event, intended for families with children who are 12 years old and under, is an experience that is not easily forgotten. Faculty, staff, and current students will be on-hand to give out free treats and candy.

Our Community Trick or Treat will have special areas dedicated to creating Halloween crafts and for our “Haunted Hospital”. The “Haunted Hospital” is intended for those looking for a scare, and it will have different levels of scariness so children of all ages can get in on the fun.

Also, for the first time, the Starkiller Garrison will be joining us! The Starkiller Garrison is a part of the 501st Legion, the largest Star Wars costuming club in the world. Get your cameras ready and hang out with some of your favorite characters from the Star Wars universe.

Last year, we had over 700 happy visitors. This year, we are prepared for that number to continue to grow as we create not only a community tradition, but also a family tradition.

Further details can be obtained by contacting Pennsylvania Highlands Student Activities at 814.262.6463 or studentactivities@pennhighlands.edu.

Open House Set For Late Fall

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be hosting an open house on Monday, October 22 from 6pm to 7:30pm at each of our locations in Blair, Ebensburg, Huntingdon, Richland, and Somerset.

Individuals will learn about Penn Highlands and its opportunities, including degree programs and coursework, transfer options, and more. Information on student life, including clubs and activities, and financial assistance will also be presented by representatives. Faculty and alumni will be on-hand to discuss their experiences.

As an added bonus, prospective students will be eligible to win a 2019/2020 tuition voucher, good for a $250 discount, if they complete a survey while in attendance.

Penn Highlands has been serving the community with quality and affordable academic options for over 20 years. To learn more, stop by our open house at one of our facilities.

• Blair Center
  Logan Valley Mall (Next to Macy’s)
  5580 Goods Lane, Altoona, PA 16602
  814.201.2700 | blair@pennhighlands.edu

• Ebensburg Center
  881 Hills Plaza Drive, Suite 450, Ebensburg, PA 15931
  814.471.0010 | ebensburg@pennhighlands.edu
  

• Huntingdon Center
  6311 Margy Drive, Huntingdon, PA 16652
  814.643.6200 | huntingdon@pennhighlands.edu
   
• Richland Campus
  101 Community College Way, Johnstown, PA 15904
  814.262.6446 | admissions@pennhighlands.edu

• Somerset Center
  Somerset County Education Center
  6024 Glades Pike, Suite 210, Somerset, PA 15501
  814.443.2500 | somerset@pennhighlands.edu

Black Bear 5K Race Results Are In

Penn Highlands Designated A National Center Of Academic Excellence In Cyber Defense

The National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have designated Pennsylvania Highlands Community College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE2Y). This specific designation applies to two-year institutions and Penn Highlands’ designation lasts through the 2023 academic year.

Academic institutions, like Pennsylvania Highlands, are designated as CAEs in Cyber Defense by undergoing an in-depth assessment and demonstrating they can meet the rigorous requirements needed to garner this designation. Sponsored by NSA and DHS, the CAE in Cyber Defense program aims to reduce vulnerabilities in our national information infrastructure.

“Thanks to the dedication and expertise of our faculty, Pennsylvania Highlands is the only two-year college in Pennsylvania west of Allentown and one of only four academic institutions (two or four-year) in western Pennsylvania accredited by the NSA and DHS,” stated Dr. Kevin Slonka, Assistant Professor, Computer Science. “This marks us as an elite school in the cybersecurity arena and affirms that our students are receiving an education of the highest quality.”

Cybersecurity professionals report an average salary of $116,000, which is nearly three times the national average (Source: National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies, DHS). As the demand for highly trained cybersecurity professionals grows, CAEs will continue to equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to protect and defend our nation’s infrastructures.

The Cyber Security Center at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College helped the college meet the increasing demands necessary to be honored with the CAE designation. The Cyber Security Center houses the college’s Information Technology: Cyber Security associate degree program, which provides students with the ability to not only administer networks, but to also secure those networks and conduct penetration tests, ensuring those networks are not vulnerable to attacks.

Cyber Security graduates are expertly trained in computer hardware, operating systems, networking, databases, programming, and defensive and offensive security. They can enter the workforce immediately or transfer into a four-year program at colleges/universities through articulation agreements as a junior.

Pennsylvania Highlands has six locations throughout the Southern Alleghenies region that serve residents of western Pennsylvania. The Cyber Security Center can be found at the Richland Campus.

About Information Technology: Cyber Security (Associate Degree)
To obtain the Associate of Applied Science Information Technology: Cyber Security, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 63 credits based on general education and specific major courses. Students cover aspects of the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), CompTIA Linux+, Net+, Security+ and A+, Wireshark Certified Network Analyst, and the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker certifications.

Homecoming 2018 Culminates With Community Family Day & 5K Race

Homecoming 2018 at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will take place the week of September 17. Throughout the week, there will be various activities and community service projects for students and employees.

Student clubs and organizations will host “Spirit Week” Monday through Friday at each of the College’s locations in Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon, and Somerset counties.

Homecoming 2018 will culminate with Family Day on Saturday, September 22, from 8 AM to 2 PM. Family Day will include:

• 9 AM: Black Bear 5K (Details Below – Registration Required)
• 10AM – 2PM: Free activities include Interactive Inflatables, Kids Crafts, Picnic Lunch, Games, Caricatures, Temporary Tattoos

The College Foundation’s annual Black Bear 5K is on Saturday, September 22, and is sponsored by Wessel & Company. Registration begins at 8 AM and the race will begin at 9 AM. Pre-registration for the event is $15.00 and race-day registration is $20.00. Proceeds from the race will benefit College programs initiatives at Penn Highlands Community College.

For more information about Homecoming 2018, please contact the President’s Office at 814.262.3820.