PHOTO PROVIDED Pictured at the grand opening at the Penn Highlands Centre County location in Bellefonte. From left are Mark Higgins, Chair of the Centre County Commissioner; Greg Scott, President and CEO of CBICC; Ralph Stewart, Superintendent of the Bellefonte District; Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Greg Winger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; Marissa Davis, Regional Center Director at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College; and Kerry Benninghoff, Pennsylvania State Representative from District 171.
BELLEFONTE – Pennsylvania Highlands Community College unveiled its new Centre County location in Bellefonte with a grand opening and open house on Friday, Aug. 16.
The center will open to the public with the fall 2024 semester, which begins in just under two weeks. Centre County is the college’s seventh location as Penn Highlands continues to expand its educational offerings throughout the region.
“We are very excited to announce the opening of the Penn Highlands at Centre County educational facility,” said Steve Nunez, president of Penn Highlands. “As president of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, I am honored to witness this milestone that has been several years in the making. Our commitment to affordable, accessible and quality education, to community enrichment and to local economic development remains steadfast. As with any project of this magnitude, we have many partners to thank, including the CBICC, the Borough of Bellefonte and the Bellefonte Intermediate Chamber of Commerce. A huge thank you to everyone who helped us get here.”
The event featured several speakers, including Dr. Steve Nunez, President of Penn Highlands, Greg Winger, Chair of the College Board of Trustees, Greg Scott, President of the Centre County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Ralph Stewart, Borough Manager of Bellefonte and member of the College Board of Trustees.
“This is a great day for Centre County and the surrounding area,” Stewart said. “Penn Highlands Community College has established a world-class educational and training facility for the residents of Centre County here at the Match Factory. It will be great to see Penn Highlands help people get the education and training they need to compete and be successful.”
Located on the second floor of the historic Match Factory, Pennsylvania Highlands Centre County spans 5,000 square feet and features state-of-the-art classrooms, a computer lab, conference room, offices and a dedicated area for students.
The site currently offers 14 associate degree and certificate options that can be completed entirely online. Four courses will also be offered in person in the fall 2024 semester, including English Composition 1, U.S. History 1, Mathematical Concepts and Application, and General Psychology.
The college aims to expand both its degree and teaching program by 2025.
“Everyone in the area has been very welcoming and supportive of Penn Highlands as we move to become part of Centre County,” said Marissa Davis, Regional Center Director. “Business and industry, county school districts, local agencies and many others have supported our arrival. We have already formed so many great partnerships. I look forward to building even more as we serve the area. We are all excited to be part of such a great community.”
For more information about the Centre County location, visit www.pennhighlands.edu/centre/.
About Pennsylvania Highlands Community College (www.pennhighlands.edu)
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a leading institution of higher education committed to helping students achieve their academic and career goals. With a focus on excellence, innovation and community impact, Pennsylvania Highlands has been changing lives in West Central Pennsylvania since 1994 through a diverse offering of over 40 degree and certificate programs with an array of resources to support student success. Pennsylvania Highlands has the highest graduation rate of any community college in Pennsylvania.
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