The Pennsylvania Highlands Wrestling team has released the schedule for its inaugural 2025-2026 season.
The Black Bears will compete in seven regular season events, comprising of four open tournaments, two dual meets, and one tri-meet. All seven events will take place on the road.
Penn Highlands will begin its campaign on November 9 with a tri-meet at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, along with the University of Scranton. The full schedule is as follows:
November 9 at Shenandoah University (tri-meet)
November 21 at Garrett College (dual)
December 6 at Thunder Wolves Open
December 19 at Wilkes Open
January 22 at Penn State Altoona (dual)
January 24 at Jamestown Open
February 14 at Messiah Open
Following the regular season, the Black Bears will compete in the Gulf Atlantic District Tournament in late February. Those who advance out of the district tournament will compete in the NJCAA Wrestling Championships on March 6-7 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has announced the Cybersecurity Certificate program will now be offered in a fully online, accelerated format, beginning this upcoming Spring 2026 semester.
The Cybersecurity Certificate can now be completed over both the Spring and Summer semesters. The program consists of seven classes, totaling 22 credits, and will run annually.
“The new certificate format allows existing students to retake or catch up on core courses without getting off track,” stated Greg Paonessa, Assistant Professor of Computer Technology. “The online nature of the courses will also allow more students access to the Cybersecurity program without limits on their geographical locations, helping students achieve their associate’s degree in case they’re having any issues with past core courses or attending typical in-person classes.”
The inaugural Spring semester will feature four courses, with two scheduled during the first seven weeks and the remaining two during the second seven weeks.
In the Summer semester, students will complete two courses during the Summer A session (the first six weeks) and the final course during the Summer B session (the last six weeks).
The College hopes to offer this certificate with a Fall semester start as well, making the accelerated program available year-round.
“This new offering will provide flexible and timely in-demand training for students across our region,” stated Michelle Stumpf, Dean of Enrollment & Registrar. “It opens the door for working professionals, as well as students new to higher education, to gain not only high-level technical training, but the opportunity to earn industry certifications in the cybersecurity arena.”
Click here to visit our Institute for Cyber Security (ICS) for more details on this certificate and other related programs. ICS programs are connected to the Cyber ACCESS project. The Cyber ACCESS project is supported with ARISE funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College sophomore Jayvien Brumbaugh has been named to the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) Men’s Golf All-Conference Team.
Brumbaugh, a native of Mount Union, PA, is the first golfer in school history to earn an All-Conference honor.
“This feels great,” Brumbaugh stated. “It’s a great honor. I’ve put in a lot of time and dedication to getting better and working on my game, and it feels good to be rewarded.”
The All-Conference selections were chosen based on scoring averages achieved during the regular season, with the top four averages earning a spot on the team.
Brumbaugh placed in the Top 5 in four of the six matches during the regular season before securing a seventh place finish in the WPCC Tournament to close out the fall campaign.
“After seeing what the competition was like this past spring, he worked very hard over the summer to improve,” Black Bears Head Coach Derek Leach stated. “Jayvien is a great athlete and stayed consistent throughout the fall. He deserves the honor, and I’m glad he received it.”
The Penn Highlands golf team’s spring season is scheduled to begin in March.
About Black Bear Athletics Black Bear Athletics, the official sports program of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, is dedicated to fostering excellence both on and off the field. As a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Black Bear Athletics offers a diverse range of sports, including basketball, bowling, cross country, esports, golf, softball, volleyball, and wrestling. Our mission is to help student-athletes succeed in sports, academics, and life. By focusing on teamwork, leadership, time management, and discipline, we prepare them for success in all areas.
Black Bear Athletics is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) and NJCAA Region 20, competing against programs across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College will be celebrating the Halloween season by hosting its annual Community Trick or Treat event on Monday, October 27, from 5:30 to 7 PM at the College’s Richland Campus (101 Community College Way, Johnstown).
The event will feature a craft station, a live skit, and trick-or-treating on the C-Level of the Richland Campus.
Intended for families with children who are 12 years old and under, this event is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween in a safe and welcoming environment. Faculty, staff, and students will be on-hand to give out free treats (while supplies last) and provide a unique Halloween experience to visitors.
Averaging around 1,000 visitors each year, we are prepared for that number and more, as we continue with this community and family tradition.
We kindly ask visitors to park and enter through the main gymnasium entrance. Lastly, we are asking you to leave your pets at home, as pets are not permitted on our campus, with the exception of service animals.
Men’s Basketball at Pennsylvania Highlands has unveiled its 2025-26 season schedule, consisting of 27 games set to take place between November and February.
The Black Bears will play 14 games at home. Penn Highlands begins the season by competing in the Northampton Community College Tip-Off Tournament on November 1-2. After a road contest at WVU Potomac State College, the Black Bears will host seven consecutive home games from November 8 to December 5.
During that stretch, the team will host the Penn Highlands Turkey Classic on November 15-16. This two-day tournament will also feature Bryant & Stratton College (Ohio), Salem Community College (New Jersey), and Sandhills Community College (North Carolina).
All home games will be played inside the Richland Campus gymnasium. Dates and times are subject to change. The full home schedule is as follows:
November 8 vs. Community College of Baltimore County – Dundalk
November 11 vs. Garrett College
November 15 vs. Sandhills Community College (Penn Highlands Turkey Classic)
November 16 vs. Salem Community College (Penn Highlands Turkey Classic)
November 18 vs. Ohio Valley Tech
November 23 vs. Bryant & Stratton College
December 5 vs. Anne Arundel Community College
December 22 vs. Westmoreland County Community College
January 9 vs. Community College of Allegheny County
January 12 vs. WVU Potomac State College
January 14 vs. Community College of Beaver County
January 16 vs. Virginia Peninsula Community College
January 17 vs. Chesapeake College
February 12 vs. Butler County Community College
After the completion of the regular season, the Black Bears will compete in the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference/Region 20 Tournament at Butler County Community College beginning February 20.
The winner becomes the conference and regional champion and will host the Mid-Atlantic District Championship for a possible berth in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament.
About Black Bear Athletics Black Bear Athletics, the official sports program of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, is dedicated to fostering excellence both on and off the field. As a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Black Bear Athletics offers a diverse range of sports, including basketball, bowling, cross country, esports, golf, softball, volleyball, and wrestling. Our mission is to help student-athletes succeed in sports, academics, and life. By focusing on teamwork, leadership, time management, and discipline, we prepare them for success in all areas. Black Bear Athletics is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC) and NJCAA Region 20, competing against programs across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
November 9 at Shenandoah University (tri-meet)
