University College

Dr. John Craig

Dean, University College (interim); Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies and Academic Support Programs
Jcraig@wcupa.edu
610-436-3133

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.

Ms. Ronda Taylor (interim)

University College Operations Manager
RTaylor@wcupa.edu
(610) 436-3416

Ms. Ronda Taylor received her BA in Organizational Dynamics from Immaculata University and is currently working on her master’s degree in Public Health from West Chester University. Ms. Taylor worked several years at Bryn Mawr College as the Clinical Supervisor for the Health / Counseling Center. Since starting West Chester University in 2016 as the Administrative Assistant for Counseling and Psychological Services, Ms. Taylor has transitioned to become the Office Manager for Community Mental Health Services of WCU and now to the Operations Manager for University College. Ms. Taylor currently serves as the secretary of The Society (formerly the Frederick Douglass Society) and formally as secretary of AFSCME Local 2345. Ms. Taylor enjoys the beach, photography and serving families within her community.

Dr. Marie Bunner

Associate Professor; Chair (interim), Interdisciplinary Studies and Academic Support Programs; Director, Academic Success Program interim (ASP)
mbunner@wcupa.edu
610-436-3132

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

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.

Captain Lucas Frisch

Assistant Professor, Military Science; Captain, Army ROTC
LFrisch@wcupa.edu

Captain Lucas Frisch graduated and commissioned into the Army from Penn State University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He is a graduate of US Army Air Assault, Airborne, and Ranger School. He served as a Reconnaissance Platoon leader for the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan in from 2011-2014. He then taught at the Swamp Phase of US Army Ranger School from 2015-2017. From there he served as the Assistant Professor for Military Science at Seton Hall and Lehigh University. Lucas now serves as the Assistant Professor for Military Science at West Chester University for the Pennsylvania National Guard where he teaches the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Classes. He is from Allentown Pennsylvania.

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.

Sergeant First Class Tsepo Chris Molemohi

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

SFC Mo is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Business Management at Campbell University, NC. He is a graduate of US Army Air Assault, Airborne School, Engineer Explosive Ordinance Course and Sapper Leader Course. In 2012-15 he served as a Team Leader for the 1st Infantry Division in Afghanistan, where he cleared main supply roads of Improvised Explosive Devices. He later moved to Fort Drum, NY and served as a Squad Leader in Uganda and Djibouti in 2018, where he taught foreign military soldiers, different engineer procedures and tactics before their deployment to Somalia. SFC Mo was later transferred to Fort Bragg, NC, where he served as a Platoon Sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division and lead a Platoon of Paratroopers to Iraq in 2020 and later supported the shutdown off Afghanistan in 2021. SFC Mo 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. He is from Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Ann Colgan

Associate Professor, Director: Interdisciplinary Studies, Advisor: Exploratory Studies
Acolgan@wcupa.edu
610-436-3544

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
610-436-3134

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

Assistant Professor, Learning Specialist, and Academic Advisor, Academic Success Program (ASP)
Tjones2@wcupa.edu
610.436.2504

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.

Dr. Courtney Lloyd

Associate Professor and (interim) Director, Exploratory Studies
Clloyd@wcupa.edu
610-436-3505

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.

Linda Missanelli

Clerk Typist III - Exploratory Studies Academic Advising (EXPS); and Interdisciplinary Studies Programs (IDS)
Lmissanelli@wcupa.edu
610-436-3505

Dr. Ann Colgan

Associate Professor, Director: Interdisciplinary Studies, Advisor: Exploratory Studies
Acolgan@wcupa.edu
610-436-3544

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.

Ms. Linda Missanelli

Clerk Typist III - Exploratory Studies Academic Advising (EXPS); and Interdisciplinary Studies Programs (IDS)
Lmissanelli@wcupa.edu
610-436-3505

Dr. Casey R. Schmitt

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).

Dr. Jocelyn Manigo

Director, Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC)
Jmanigo@wcupa.edu
610-436-3238

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.

Ms. Jamee Tobias

Clerk Typist II, Learning Assistance and Resource Center
Jtobias@wcupa.edu
(610) 436-2535

Dr. David J Thomas

Assistant Professor, Director, Office of Educational Accessibility (OEA)
dthomas3@wcupa.edu
(610)436-3217

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 M.S.

Senior Accommodations Specialist, OEA

"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
610-436-3220

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. Margaret Ervin

Professor of English and Writing Center Director
Mervin@wcupa.edu
610-436-3548

Dr. Ervin received her BA in History at Harvard University and her PhD in Writing, Teaching, and Criticism from the State University of New York at Albany. She serves half time in the English Department, teaching a course in tutoring as well as first-year writing and courses in the English major. She also serves half time as Director of the University Writing Center. Her research focuses on writing center tutoring and rhetorical genre. She is also active in the faculty union, currently serving as President of the West Chester University chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF).

Ms. Jamee Tobias

Clerk Typist II, Learning Assistance and Resource Center
Jtobias@wcupa.edu
(610) 436-2535