Nunez: What to expect when Penn Highlands Centre County opens in Bellefonte

Steve Nunez
·3 min read

I am thrilled to share some exciting news with the Centre County community. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is expanding its reach by opening a new location in Bellefonte! We hope to officially open our doors in July with the expectation of offering classes on this August — just in time for the fall semester to begin.

Our new location in Centre County aims to improve access to higher education for residents of the region by providing enhanced access to affordable in-person and online college classes. Whether you are a recent high school graduate, a working professional seeking career advancement, or someone looking to explore new academic opportunities, Penn Highlands Centre County has something to offer.

Here are some key highlights about our new location, named Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Centre County:

  1. Location: The facility is at the Match Factory in historic Bellefonte and is currently undergoing renovations. Please, look for a ribbon cutting ceremony announcement.

  2. Quality education: Penn Highlands provides high quality instruction and support services. In fact, Penn Highlands Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission for Higher Education — verifying our high-quality instruction and services. Our instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience, enhancing the educational journey in every classroom.

  3. Affordable high-demand academic programs: Penn Highlands Centre County offers a range of programs that transfer to four-year universities/colleges or prepare you quickly for the workforce as a highly trained professional. Residents will have access to programming like accounting, behavioral sciences, business management, entrepreneurship, liberal arts & sciences, marketing management, medical coding & billing, paralegal studies, and social service assistant.

  4. Flexible learning: Classes will be offered in three formats: in-person, live but virtual, and in the traditional online format.

  5. Transfer agreements (out): Our credits will transfer to other higher education institutions if you are seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree. In fact, we have 166 transfer agreements with 33 different post-secondary institutions, including Lock Haven University and Penn State.

  6. Transfer agreements (in): We also accept credits from local CTCs, including Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI), and other post-secondary institutions. Therefore, a student can start at one institution and finish a degree at Penn Highlands Community College.

  7. Student services: Centre County students will have access to all the services that other Penn Highlands students already enjoy, such as access to library resources, tutoring, KEYS, financial aid, counseling, academic advising, clubs and more.

  8. Federal financial aid and Penn Highlands scholarships: More than 50% of our students qualify for federal financial aid. Also, Centre County residents may apply for over $100,000 in scholarships from the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation that will make an already affordable education even more affordable.

  9. Admissions: Applying to Penn Highlands is straightforward. We accept applications year-round and admit students on a rolling basis.

As we prepare for the fall semester, we invite everyone in Centre County to explore the opportunities available at Penn Highlands Centre County. Whether you are starting on a career path, seeking personal growth, or simply curious about lifelong learning, our dedicated team is here to support you. Please reach out to us by visiting our webpage (www.pennhighlands.edu/centre/), by email (centrecounty@pennhighlands.edu) or by phone (814-230-3080).

Thank you for helping us spread the word about this exciting development.

See you at Penn Highlands.

Steve Nunez is the president of Penn Highlands Community College.