University College

Dr. Tabetha Adkins

Senior Associate Vice President for Student Success and Dean of the University College
tadkins@wcupa.edu

Dr. Tabetha Adkins serves as Senior Associate Vice President for Student Success and Dean of the University College. As Dean, Tabetha provides leadership the support services and degree programs in the University College which include the Academic Success Program (ASP); the newly formed Academic Success & Advocacy Center (ASA); Exploratory Studies Advising; the degree-granting Interdisciplinary Studies Program which allows students to build unique, interdisciplinary, flexible degree plans tailored to their interests and goals; the Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC- for tutoring); the Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA); the Army ROTC Program, the Ram Initiative, the Writing Center, and a variety of minors offered through University College. As a representative of the Provost’s office, Dr. Adkins works with the DCAP Program, Dr. Tammy James in support of her work as Faculty Associate for Retention and Engagement, the Moon Shot for Equity, retention programming, and academic processes such as academic integrity, grade appeals, and dismissals.

Dr. Adkins earned her Ph.D. from the University of Louisville where she studied Rhetoric and Composition. She holds tenure and the rank of Full Professor in the Department of English. Prior to coming to West Chester University in 2018, she served as Dean of the University College at Texas A&M University- Commerce after serving as the Writing Center Director, the Director of First-Year Writing, and a faculty member in the Department of Literature and Languages. Her research has focused on Amish community literacy, writing instruction, and writing for social justice.

Ms. Andria Young

Assistant Dean
ayoung@wcupa.edu

Ms. Andria Young earned her BA in Psychology from Hampton University, her MBA from Strayer University, and has over 20 years of experience in mentoring, leading, developing, and implementing programs in corporate, for-profit, non-profit, and higher education agencies. Since joining the West Chester University community in the fall of 2010, she has worked in the Psychology Department, the Office of Graduate Studies (now The Graduate School), the Division of Student Affairs, and University College. In addition to previously serving as advisor to West Chester University Gospel Ministries, as Vice President of AFSCME Local 2345, and on the President’s Commission on the Status of Women, Ms. Young currently serves as the President of The Society (formerly the Frederick Douglass Society), as a board member of The Frederick Douglass Institute, as a Facilitator with United to End Racism-WCU, and as a member of the Innovation in Diversity and Inclusion Grants Committee. She remains dedicated to the success of West Chester students and to serving the WCU community as a whole.

Dr. John Craig

Director, Academic Success Program, Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies and Academic Support Programs
Jcraig@wcupa.edu

Dr. Craig earned his BS in Education (Secondary/English) and EdM in Interdisciplinary Urban Education Studies from Temple University. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), Graduate School of Education in the area of Educational and Organizational Leadership. He also earned a certificate of instructional leadership from Penn. Dr. Craig is committed to student success, particularly students from marginalized communities. He is the Immediate Past President of the Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education, where he served 3 terms as President. Currently, Dr. Craig is the Treasurer of the National Organization for Student Success and member of the Board of Trustees of the Tri-State Consortium of Opportunity Programs. Dr. Craig’s recent publications and invited presentations have focused on advising using a growth mindset and metacognitive approach, retention, developmental education and eradicating racism in both K-12 schools and in higher education institutions. The Harrisburg Chapter of the NAACP presented Dr. Craig with an award for service; and Talk Magazine named him one of the top 100 influential Black Pennsylvanians. He also founded and is the editor of the Journal of Access, Retention and Inclusion in Higher Education. In just a few short years, the journal has garnered national recognition and has been formerly endorsed by the National Organization for Student Success.

Dr. Marie Bunner

Associate Director, Academic Success Program; Associate Professor/Chair, Interdisciplinary Studies and Academic Support Programs
mbunner@wcupa.edu

Dr. Bunner holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Rhetoric and a Master’s degree in Administrative and Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh; and a Doctor of Education degree from Saint Joseph’s University. Dr. Bunner’s professional experience in academic support services in higher education includes teaching and learning, academic advising, and special admissions programs. Her research interests include non-cognitive measures for predicting academic success for first-year college students and teaching and learning strategies for student success in higher education.

Ally Drames

Office Assistant, Academic Success Program
adrames@wcupa.edu

Ally Drames earned her B.S in education (Early Grades/Special Education) and M.S. in Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs from West Chester University. She serves as the office assistant for the Academic Success Program and hopes to help support students who are new to the university.

Sergeant First Class Charles Kohut

Military Science Instructor, Military Science; Sergeant First Class, Army ROTC
CKohut@wcupa.edu

SFC Kohut originally from Cherry Hill, New Jersey entered the United States Army in late 2005 and attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was trained as an Infantryman (11B).

His subsequent positions and duty assignments include: Driver / Assistant Gunner, MK 19 / M240 Gunner, Team Leader, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachutist Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC; Squad Leader, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Fort Carson, CO; Drill Sergeant, 1st Battalion, 79th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Sill, OK; Weapons Squad Leader, Rifle Platoon Sergeant, Heavy Weapons Platoon Sergeant, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, Fort Drum, NY; Operations NCO, 3rd Army, US Army Central, Shaw Air Force Base, SC. SFC Kohut has completed three deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. SFC Kohut now serves as the Military Science Instructor for Military Science at West Chester University for the United States Army Cadet Command where he teaches the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Classes.

SFC Kohut's military education includes all non-commissioned officer education through Senior Leaders Course, Airborne school, Drill Sergeant, Heavy Weapons Leaders Course, Master Resilience Trainer, Battle Staff NCO. SFC Kohut is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Management at Southern New Hampshire University.

SFC Kohut's awards and decorations include: Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation with C device and six oaf leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, NATO Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award. He has been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

SFC Kohut lives in Phoenixville, PA. Has been married to his wife Abigail for over 12 years and together they have two sons, Colton and Mason.

Dr. Courtney Lloyd

Director, Exploratory Studies and Associate Professor
Clloyd@wcupa.edu

Dr. Lloyd received her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from the Pennsylvania State University and completed her MPA and DPA in Public Administration at West Chester University. Prior to becoming a faculty member in Exploratory Studies in 2017, Dr. Lloyd was the Assistant Director at the Learning Assistance and Resource Center from 2007-2016. Her research focuses on first-year students and how they define their academic success. She enjoys helping her students find their path at WCU.

Dr. Ann Colgan

Academic Advisor, Exploratory Studies (EXPS); Director, Interdisciplinary Studies; Associate Professor
Acolgan@wcupa.edu

Dr. Colgan is an alumna of WCU, with a BA in Anthropology. She earned an MEd from Rivier University in NH and a doctorate in Jewish Education and Jewish History at Gratz College. She taught high school history for years as well as worked at WCU’s Learning Assistance and Resource Center. She has been an academic advisor since 2007 and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies since 2018. She enjoys working with students to help them determine the best path to their goals. Applying philosophies of dialogic advising and constructivism, she engages students as individuals experiencing and drafting their own life stories.

Dr. Juanita Wooten

Academic Advisor, Exploratory Studies
JWooten@wcupa.edu

Dr. Juanita Wooten serves as an Exploratory Studies faculty advisor. She provides proactive advising to first-year students by supporting and guiding them toward identifying their academic and career goals. Dr. Juanita Wooten has worked for several years as an educator and administrator in higher education. Dr. Wooten earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Higher Education Leadership from Wilmington University, Delaware. She earned a Master of Science (MSA) degree in Human Services Administration from Audrey Cohen College, New York, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh, New York.

Dr. Tiffany Jones

Academic Advisor, Exploratory Studies (EXPS); Assistant Professor
Tjones2@wcupa.edu

Dr. Jones is a first-generation college student who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Temple University, a Master of Science in Secondary and Higher Education Counseling from West Chester University, and a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Widener University. Dr. Jones serves as an Assistant Professor, Learning Specialist, and Academic Advisor for the Academic Success Program (ASP) at West Chester University where she fosters the learning experiences of ASP students. Dr. Jones chairs scholarship initiatives for The Society at WCU and APSCUF (Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculty and Coaches) and provides leadership for the ASP Leadership Academy, FDI/Wells Fargo Tutoring Partnership with Chester High School, and the Recruitment and Retention of Women of Color Staff and Faculty and 150^th Anniversary Sub-Committees of WCU’s Women Commission. Dr. Jones’ research interests include best practice initiatives that promote equity, access, and success of historically marginalized populations of individuals. Examples of these initiatives are academic advising, learning support, first-year and first-gen college students, special admissions programs, self-efficacy, growth mindset, college developmental mathematics, and high school/college learning support partnerships.

Ms. Linda Missanelli

Office Assistant, Exploratory Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies
Lmissanelli@wcupa.edu

Dr. Ann Colgan

Director, Interdisciplinary Studies; Academic Advisor, Exploratory Studies; Associate Professor
Acolgan@wcupa.edu

Dr. Colgan is an alumna of WCU, with a BA in Anthropology. She earned an MEd from Rivier University in NH and a doctorate in Jewish Education and Jewish History at Gratz College. She taught high school history for years as well as worked at WCU’s Learning Assistance and Resource Center. She has been an academic advisor since 2007 and Director of Interdisciplinary Studies since 2018. She enjoys working with students to help them determine the best path to their goals. Applying philosophies of dialogic advising and constructivism, she engages students as individuals experiencing and drafting their own life stories.

Dr. Casey R. Schmitt

Academic Advisor, Interdisciplinary Studies
CSchmitt@wcupa.edu

Dr. Casey R. Schmitt is a teacher, advisor, editor, and cultural critic, with expertise in environmental communication and public narrative. He has a PhD in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MA in Folklore Studies from the University of Oregon. His research examines storytelling, rhetorical framing, and public demonstration in environmental discourse, including justice campaigns, activism, and visual rhetoric. He is author of over two dozen peer-reviewed articles and chapters, and co-editor of Standing Up, Speaking Out: Stand-Up Comedy and the Rhetoric of Social Change (Routledge, 2017) and Water, Rhetoric, and Social Justice: A Critical Confluence (Lexington, 2020).

Ms. Linda Missanelli

Office Assistant, Exploratory Studies and Interdisciplinary Studies
Lmissanelli@wcupa.edu

Dr. Jocelyn Manigo

Director, Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC)
Jmanigo@wcupa.edu

Dr. Jocelyn Manigo received her BA in psychology and education from Swarthmore College. She earned her MEd and EdD from Widener University, with a degree emphasis on curriculum, instruction, and staff development. Dr. Manigo started her career as an elementary school teacher then transitioned to Widener University as Director of Tutoring Services, where she remained for 13 years as a tutoring coordinator, academic advisor, and academic coach. She joined West Chester University in 2018 as Director of the Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC) and enjoys managing tutoring and success coaching services for the campus community. Her research interests include academic coaching, peer tutoring, critical thinking, and self-regulated learning.

Amy Hancox

Associate Director, Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC) & The Writing Center
AHancox@wcupa.edu

Amy Hancox earned her B.A. in English Literature & Secondary Education from Eastern University and her M.S. in Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs (HEPSA) from West Chester University. Her research interests include ADHD & the role of academically supporting students, especially during the transition from high school into college.

Ms. Jamee Tobias

Office Assistant, Learning Assistance and Resource Center and Writing Center
Jtobias@wcupa.edu

Dr. David J Thomas

Director, Office of Educational Accessibility; Assistant Professor
dthomas3@wcupa.edu

Dr. Thomas earned his undergraduate degree in Individualized Integrative Studies in Dramaturgy with a minor in Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University, where he also earned an M.A. in Applied Linguistics with an emphasis in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) as well as a Ph.D. in Higher Education. He has completed additional graduate work at the Linguistic Society of America Summer Institute at Stanford University, the Institute on Disability at Temple University, and through the Public Policy and Administration Program at West Chester University.

Dr. Thomas has been in the field of disability advocacy in higher education for more than a decade. He serves as the President of Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society, which recognizes high achieving college students with disabilities and serves the wider disability community as the Treasurer for Disability Rights Pennsylvania, where he also chairs the Mental Health Advisory Council. Prior to coming to WCU and alongside his disability work, Dr. Thomas was a member of the English faculties at universities in and around Philadelphia, Southeastern Virginia, and Seattle, teaching courses in English Composition and Rhetoric, English as a Second Language, Linguistics, and Research Methods.

Ms. Gabriellia Hartz

Senior Accommodations Specialist, Office of Educational Accessibility
ghartz@wcupa.edu

"Gabriellia Hartz is a two-time alumnus of West Chester University. Her pronouns are she/her/hers. Gabriellia also goes by Gabbi. Gabbi holds her masters in Higher Education and Student Affairs Policy (HEPSA). Gabriellia works in the Office of Educational Accessibility as the Accommodations Coordinator. She enjoys working with students in order to help provide them with support and understanding of all resources in order to determine a path to success."

Ms. Susan Durkovic

CART Captioner, Office of Educational Accessibility

Susan joined WCU in 2000 as a CART Captioner. CART stands for Communication Access Realtime Translation, which is a speech-to-text interpreting service for anyone who needs communication access. As an advocate for those who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing, she is passionate about making the spoken word accessible through providing and advocating for accurate, quality captions to those who rely on it.

When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, especially, at the beach, and playing ice hockey.

Dr. Ilknur Sancak-Marusa

Director, Writing Center; Professor of English

Amy Hancox

Associate Director, Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC) & The Writing Center
AHancox@wcupa.edu

Amy Hancox earned her B.A. in English Literature & Secondary Education from Eastern University and her M.S. in Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs (HEPSA) from West Chester University. Her research interests include ADHD & the role of academically supporting students, especially during the transition from high school into college.

Ms. Jamee Tobias

Office Assistant, Learning Assistance and Resource Center and Writing Center
Jtobias@wcupa.edu