JOHNSTOWN — Pennsylvania Highlands Community College announced it signed a lease in Bellefonte to open a new educational location. The facility is set to open in late 2024, offering a combination of in-person courses eligible for both transfer and comprehensive online degree programs.
Penn Highlands Centre County will be designed to serve residents from all over the region, housed on the second floor of the converted Pennsylvania Match Company building along Phoenix Avenue in the Bellefonte Borough. The 5,200-square-foot facility will include three classrooms, a computer lab, a conference room, five faculty and employee offices and a student activity area.
“It is with great excitement that Penn Highlands is opening a new educational location in Bellefonte,” Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands Community College president, stated. “I pledge that the college will remain focused on its mission of providing affordable, accessible and quality education to Centre County, that we will remain community-focused and that we will build strong partnerships that will enhance the prosperity of the region.”
Penn Highlands Centre County plans to focus its academic offering on transfer-based programming to begin with. The transfer programs commonly include Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. The programs are to help prepare students with the necessary skills and knowledge to smoothly transition after earning an associate degree. Penn Highlands currently has 166 articulation agreements with 33 colleges and universities.
Additionally, the college provides a varied selection of online programs to students in Centre County and in other regions. There is a range of in-person services and support for virtual students as well. The integration of online and in-person resources provides students with a comprehensive and convenient learning experience.
Penn Highlands Community College formed an advisory council comprised of individuals — including professionals and industry experts — from around Centre County to help in the school’s goal of delivering meaningful academic programs for students in the region. The council members will play a role in shaping the future of the community through the recommendation of quality programming that meets regional needs.
“The choice made by Pennsylvania Highlands Community College to establish a presence in Bellefonte is an extraordinary one for the people in this region,” said Ralph Stewart, Bellefonte’s borough manager. “The faculty and staff exemplify excellence, driven by their passion to positively impact lives through affordable and high-quality education for career success. Presently, there exists an unparalleled opportunity to pursue employment in any industry, provided you possess the necessary education. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College brings this opportunity to our area.”
Community colleges across the commonwealth educated more than 236,000 students during the 2022-23 school year, representing 48% of all undergraduates statewide.
Construction is scheduled to take place at Penn Highlands Centre County before the start of fall 2024 classes in order to enhance classroom space and provide an authentic college experience.
