Congratulations to our CESW Scholarship Award Winners!
The attending student awardees took a group picture with College of Education and Social Work Interim Dean Hicks.
Faculty, staff, students, and guests gathered in the Sykes Ballroom for the 44th Annual College of Education and Social Work Scholarship Ceremony on Tuesday, October 7th, 2026. Scholarships were awarded to approximately 66 students across social educator preparation programs, counseling, and social work.
Several faculty members from the Selection Committees presented the awards to the students. Dr. Claire Dente, Dept. of Undergraduate Social Work, recognized Tiffany Alvarez, BSW-Philadelphia, one the recipients of The Clifford DeBaptiste Scholarship. It was established for undergraduate social work majors who demonstrate excellence in academic achievement, have demonstrated community leadership initiative, a commitment to co-cultural and bi-lingual social work practice and assignment to practical working with at risk culturally diverse populations. Tiffany also values her children, being there for them, showing them love, spending time with them, and showing them that there is nothing you can't do! Dr. Dente also celebrated BSW-Philadelphia student, Shantelle Sawyer, who earned The Dean’s Scholarship for Social Work. Shantelle shared that being a mother is the most important thing to her and showing her kids that it is never too late to follow your dreams. She believes in showing up and being the best version of yourself.
(left to right): Tiffany Alvarez, Tiffany’s Young Daughter, and Shantelle Sawyer are pictured at the event!
Donors were invited to attend to meet and support their scholarship recipients. For example, Patrick and Kevin Konizer, supported Andrew Galantuomo, BSED in Health and Physical Education student who was one of the recipients of The David Konitzer Memorial Scholarship. This award was established by his family to honor a current WCU student who wants to teach physical education and enjoys working with children and shows athletic ability. Another donor and alumna, Eileen Dargay ‘74, attended to support Mia Chernobrod, BSED in Mathematics Education who received The Eileen Dargay ’74 and George Dargay ’76 Scholarship. Mia shared, "I want to be an educator because I want to help those kids who struggle with Mathematics and make math fun. Math is hard and has a negative connotation around it, and I want to change that one student at a time." The award has been established to honor Eileen and George Dargay, both lifelong educators who devoted their careers to shaping the minds of future generations!
Donors supporting The David Konitzer Memorial Scholarship & The Eileen Dargay ’74 and George Dargay ’76 Scholarship are pictured above with their student recipients.
The College of Education and Social Work extends its congratulations to all recipients for their commitment and achievements. We look forward to celebrating their continued success!
Photo Credit: Justin McGriff, McGriff Media LLC
Welcoming Our New Employees for the 2026-2027 Academic Year!
New Faculty
Dr. Ashleigh J. Kelley, Assistant Professor, Department of Early and Middle Grades Education
Dr. Ashleigh J. Kelley
Assistant Professor, Department of Early and Middle Grades Education
Dr. Ashleigh J. Kelley teaches courses in the Early and Middle Grades Education Department and supervises teacher candidates during their student teaching experiences. Prior to joining West Chester University, she taught elementary school students in South Carolina and served as a Gifted and Talented teacher. Dr. Kelley's research focuses on gifted education, with particular emphasis on gifted identification and students' understanding of their gifted identification. She is also interested in preparing preservice teachers to recognize and support gifted learners in inclusive classrooms. She has presented her research at national conferences and has published scholarly work on gifted education.
Dr. Christine Cuozzo, Assistant Professor, Department of Literacy
Dr. Christine Cuozzo
Assistant Professor, Department of Literacy
Christine (Chrissy) Cuozzo has worked at WCU since January 2016 as an Adjunct Instructor. Her special interests include strategies for teaching reading, supervising pre-service teachers, and volunteering in various educational roles. She is an avid runner and loves any type of word puzzle. Chrissy and her husband, Josh, live in East Goshen Township and have three sons.
Jennifer Janus, Assistant Professor, Department of Counselor Education
Jennifer Janus
Assistant Professor, Department of Counselor Education
I am a certified school counselor and national certified counselor with 10 years of experience in the education and school counseling field. I was a Middle School Counselor, Middle School Counseling Coordinator, and previous Site Supervisor for school counselors in training.
I teach the school counseling and core counseling courses, including School Counseling Internship II, Advanced School Counseling Applications and Techniques, and Counseling Research Methods and Program Evaluation. I have been a co-author of counseling research publications and have presented at State and National Conferences. My most recent presentations focused on Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) Programs and Tier 2 Supports at the Middle School Level.
I am a graduate of West Chester University’s School Counseling Program and am so grateful to be joining the fantastic Department of Counselor Education!
My husband and I are having the best time being new parents to our 5 month old baby girl! We love going for walks, going out for breakfast, browsing the aisles at Target, and spending time at home together!
Adrienne N. Fisher, Assistant Professor, Department of Counselor Education
Adrienne N. Fisher
Assistant Professor, Department of Counselor Education
I come from an interdisciplinary background, with a BA in English Language & Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing, Poetry. With my career transition into work as a counselor and a counselor educator, I bring a personal and professional dedication to creative pedagogy as we train future mental health professionals. I love reading, writing, dancing, singing, exploring, and spending time with my family and friends every chance I get!
Dr. Katrina K. Morrison, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Foundations & Policy Studies
Dr. Katrina K. Morrison
Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Foundations & Policy Studies
Back in the 2000s, I was a high school humanities teacher in Philadelphia for three years. I am interested in justice, lived experiences, and student voice. I am a foodie who enjoys exercise, music and television entertainment, and playing with my kids. I live in Delaware with my husband Wendell and my children Zora and Trey.