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Black Bear Athletics To Hold Open House

To highlight both well-established and new athletic programs (softball, golf, and eSports), Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will host an Athletics Open House on Saturday, October 2nd, between 1 and 3 PM at the Richland Campus.

During this event, interested individuals will meet with coaches and assistants, the Director of Student Activities and Athletics, college athletes, and members of the Admissions Office. This event is a great place to discuss eligibility.

Black Bear Athletics offers seven athletic options for its students: Basketball (Men’s), Bowling, Cross Country, eSports, Golf, Softball (Women’s), and Volleyball (Women’s). In addition to Black Bear Athletics, presentations will be held regarding both Admissions and Financial Aid.

Pennsylvania Highlands is a chartered member of the National Junior College Athletic Association, competing in Region XX. The Black Bears are a part of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC), which was founded in 1972.

Athletics at Penn Highlands is successful both in and out of the classroom. In just ten years, Penn Highlands has produced over 130 WPCC All-Academic Team members while also capturing two (2) WPCC titles and two (2) Region XX titles. The Black Bears were home to an individual cross country champion at both conference and regional levels. Penn Highlands has also been honored with three Coach of the Year awards.

RSVP is preferred, but walk-ins are welcome to attend. To learn more or to RSVP, click here or contact Admissions at 814.262.6400 or admissions@pennh.25comm.com.

Susquehanna University & Penn Highlands Partner To Create Academic Pathway

Susquehanna University and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College have partnered to make it easier for western Pennsylvania students to continue their education and earn a bachelor’s degree. Jonathan Green, Susquehanna University President, and Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands Community College President, signed a transfer agreement that will offer Penn Highlands graduates guaranteed admission to Susquehanna University.

“There are few, if any, investments that have a greater impact on our nation and our economy than providing an affordable pathway to higher education for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds, and Susquehanna University has been identified among the top 10% of higher education institutions for return on investment,” stated Jonathan Green, Susquehanna University President. “We are proud to provide our students with a high-quality, transformative education and look forward to ensuring a seamless transition for Penn Highlands’ graduates to complete their bachelor’s degree in preparation for a successful future.”

Students at Penn Highlands who submit a letter of intent to attend Susquehanna University prior to completing 30 transferable credit hours will have the following benefits:

• Guaranteed admission into a bachelor’s degree program with third-year (junior) status at Susquehanna University upon completion of an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree.
• Eligibility for an academic scholarship from Susquehanna University of up to $31,000 per year based on their grade point average at Penn Highlands during the application phase.
• Eligibility for an additional $5,000 scholarship from Susquehanna University per year if students are members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.

“The mission of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is to provide the students of western Pennsylvania with cost-effective and favorable opportunities. This collaboration with Susquehanna University paves the way for our students to have a positive experience and achieve success through the transfer of credits,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands Community College President. “Students will receive a top-notch education from two great institutions through this agreement. It is a win for Penn Highlands Community College, Susquehanna University, and the communities that we serve.”

Susquehanna University and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College are excited for this partnership to take effect immediately and transform the lives of many.

About Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has served over 60,000 community members throughout the Laurel Highlands and Southern Alleghenies regions of Pennsylvania and beyond. Offering more than 35 degree, certificate, and diploma programs, in both in-person and online formats, our diverse offerings and experienced faculty provide a world-class education. Penn Highlands boasts the highest graduation rate of all community colleges in Pennsylvania. For more information, call 1.888.385.PEAK or visit pennh.25comm.com.

About Susquehanna University
Susquehanna, a liberal arts university, focuses on intellectual development, global competence, and career success. Susquehanna offers a nationally recognized study-abroad program and more than 100 majors and minors in business, humanities, arts and sciences. Students develop critical thinking, writing, teamwork, and communication skills which, combined with internships and research opportunities, prepare them for a lifetime of personal and professional success. Small classes enable faculty members to serve as mentors, as well as teachers. Ninety-six percent of Susquehanna students are employed or in graduate or professional school within six months of graduation.

College To Sponsor Annual Cambria County College Fair

The Annual Cambria County College Fair, sponsored by Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, will be held on Tuesday, September 21st, at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center. This year’s College Fair will take place from 8:30am to 11am, with students attending from across the region.

The mission of the College Fair is to promote higher education and future opportunities to not only high school students and their families, but to the public as well. The Cambria County College Fair helps local community members find and discover the many educational and career opportunities that are right in their back yard.

Colleges and universities from all over the state of Pennsylvania will be on-hand to meet with and assist guests regarding their educational and career needs. With so many institutions attending, there is something for everyone: technical schools, business colleges, cosmetology schools and universities, branches of the military, banks, local businesses, and more.

The Cambria County College Fair is here to inform our community of educational opportunities; please stop by. The College Fair is happening on Tuesday, September 21st. Be a part of something special and help us promote this community event to make it a great success.

Over $800,000 In Relief Funding To Be Distributed To Impacted Fall 2021 Students

Penn Highlands Community College will award roughly $832,000 in economic relief directly to students impacted by the pandemic this Fall 2021 semester as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

All enrolled for-credit students are eligible for COVID-19 relief payments. No Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to receive the relief funds; however, students that show exceptional need based upon their FAFSA status will be prioritized.

In addition to COVID-19 relief funds, Penn Highlands also offers over 20 scholarships for each academic year, as well as payment plans designed to assist a student’s individual needs.

This fall semester, courses are available in-person, online, or through a hybrid (in-person and online) model, allowing students to obtain their education at their chosen comfort level. Penn Highlands offers multiple degree and certificate programs at six locations across the region and online.

Our fall semester starts on Monday, August 23rd. There is still time to enroll. Click here to apply.

Medical Assisting Technology Awarded Continuing Accreditation Through CAAHEP

Update: As of March 2023, the Medical Assisting Technology degree is no longer accredited by CAAHEP.

The Medical Assisting Technology (A.A.S.) associate degree program at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been awarded continuing accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Medical Assisting Technology associate degree program received its initial accreditation in 2016.

“This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work put in by our Professor of Health Professions, Gaynelle Schmieder, and the rest of our Health Professions team,” stated Robert Farinelli, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Students enrolled in Medical Assisting at Penn Highlands Community College can feel confident in knowing that their education will set them up for success with this accreditation status.”

Penn Highlands’ students will benefit the most from CAAHEP accreditation. Those that graduate from Penn Highlands with a Medical Assisting Technology degree will automatically be qualified to sit for the AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants) exam and become certified medical assistants.

Medical assisting, a multi-skilled allied health profession, allows medical assistants to function as members of the health care delivery team by performing both administrative and clinical procedures.

CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor of the health sciences profession. The organization reviews and accredits over 2,100 educational programs in 32 health science occupations. CAAHEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Continuing accreditation is awarded after a program has already been initially accredited and then subsequently reviewed by the Committees on Accreditation at specified intervals. Continuing accreditation remains in place until the CAAHEP Board votes otherwise, and it is not time limited.