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Steve Costea Hired As Head Softball Coach

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has hired Steve Costea as the new head coach of the Women’s Softball team.

Costea succeeds former head coach Cory Shay, who guided the Black Bears through their inaugural three seasons from 2021 to 2024.

“I first want to thank Penn Highlands President Dr. Steve Nunez for the opportunity to join the college,” Costea stated. “One of the main things that drew me here was the administration and the people I have worked with at the college, especially Student Activities and Athletics Director Sue Brugh. Once I saw her vision for the future, I knew Penn Highlands would be a good fit.”

Costea comes to Penn Highlands with more than 40 years of coaching experience. Most notably, Costea spent 29 years as the head baseball coach at Somerset Area High School, where he amassed 400 career wins and had just one losing season in nearly three decades.

He led Somerset to 19 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference (LHAC) titles, eight district championships, and was named LHAC Coach of the Year 16 times. Costea’s accolades earned him an induction into the Somerset County Oldtimers Association Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Costea has been an assistant coach for local 16U and 18U travel softball teams for four years, and he has served as the assistant coach at Berlin Brothersvalley High School for three seasons.

“I want to make this program better and move it to a higher level, as well as help any player who wants to play softball,” Costea stated. “Academics will come first, then the athletics and family aspect. I understand the College prides itself on being one big family, and I aim to instill that same value within the team.”

A resident of the Laurel Highlands area, Costea also previously coached football, swimming, and wrestling.

Steve Costea

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.