In today’s episode, we’re spotlighting three remarkable alumni from the three PennWest campuses – California, Clarion, and Edinboro – each of whom has taken their passion for teaching into schools and communities across the region.

They’ll share their personal journeys into education, the moments that lit the spark and the experiences at PennWest that prepared them to lead, encourage and uplift the next generation.

Today's guests include:

Madeline Loring, the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, is a fourth grade math teacher at Jefferson-Morgan Elementary School. With 14 years in public education and a master’s degree from the California campus, she designs intentional, engaging instruction that honors every child’s potential.

Mark Brooks is a proud Erie native and Harbor Creek graduate who earned his health and physical education teaching certification from Edinboro, where he briefly played football before moving into coaching. He has taught every grade K–12 and now serves as an online educator with Pennwood Cyber Charter School.

Brandy Daye is a passionate educator and leader committed to equity, opportunity, and transformative learning. A Clarion University graduate with certifications in Elementary and Special Education, she later earned her Master’s in Educational Leadership. Now Principal of PPS Liberty K‑5, Brandy fosters a school culture rooted in belonging and high expectations.

Tradition meets impact as we spotlight student leaders redefining what fraternity and sorority life looks like at PennWest. Through service, philanthropy, and authentic leadership, they’re building community and character that last far beyond college.

Today, we’ll meet four students whose passion, purpose, and commitment are transforming Greek life into a force for good on every campus they call home.

Today's guests include:

Brandon Hebda is a Communications major from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, with minors in Event Planning and Management and General Business. A vibrant campus leader, he serves as a Greek Life Student Coordinator, PennWest Pantry Student Ambassador, NSO Leader and Welcome Weekend Leader.

Kendal Mumaw is a senior at PennWest Edinboro pursuing dual certification in 7–12 Social Studies and PK–12 Special Education. Originally from Monaca, Pennsylvania, she has led within Zeta Tau Alpha and the Edinboro Panhellenic Council.

Zion Baxter is a junior at PennWest California and a proud member of Sigma Tau Gamma. He serves as Vice President on the IFC Executive Board, helping support and strengthen the fraternity community.

Avery Soltesz is a junior Exercise Science major from McEwensville, Pennsylvania, focusing on nutrition and fitness with plans to become a physical therapist. On campus, she shines as the Feature Twirler for the Golden Eagle Marching Band and leads through Panhellenic Council.

Leadership isn’t just taught at PennWest – it’s lived every day. In today’s episode, we sit down with three remarkable student leaders who share how programs like the PennWest Leadership Academy and Rising Leaders have shaped their confidence, skills and sense of purpose.

From speaking up to stepping into new roles, these students demonstrate how PennWest cultivates authentic changemakers.

Today's guests include:

Max Moran is a Biology major on the Pre‑Medicine track with a Chemistry minor at PennWest. At Edinboro’s campus, Max is deeply involved – as a CA, Highland Ambassadors secretary, Circle K vice president, CHAOS vice president and treasurer, PLA member and honors mentor.

Jenna Ciora is a Marketing major and management minor at PennWest California, currently a second‑semester junior from South Park, PA. She serves as Daytime Chair for the Student Activities Board, Team Lead in the PennWest Leadership Academy and Lieutenant Speaker of the House of Representatives.

James O’Dell is a Sport Management major and member of the PennWest Honors Program at PennWest Clarion. Originally from Oil City, PA, he serves as Head Manager for the Men’s Basketball team and Team Leader for the PennWest Leadership Academy.

For this Valentine’s Day edition, we’re sharing the stories of two PennWest couples – four employees whose journeys with each other began through their journeys with us.

Whether they met as students navigating late‑night study sessions, or as professionals working side‑by‑side to support our university’s mission, each couple reminds us that PennWest isn’t just a place to learn and work – it’s also a place where lives intertwine, friendships deepen and sometimes, yes — love takes root.

Today's guests include:

The first couple on today’s episode calls the Clarion campus home. Heath Calhoun and Sarah Zerfoss-Calhoun met as Clarion students but didn’t connect as romantic partners until 2018 – getting married in 2022 and welcoming their son, Finley in May 2023.

Sarah Zerfoss-Calhoun, Assistant Dean of Students and Assistant Director of Student Development, leads conduct processes and coordinates leadership programs across PennWest.

Heath Calhoun, a six-time All-American and 2014 NCAA champion diver at Clarion, is now the Golden Eagles’ diving coach. Entering his fifth season, he’s guided athletes to national titles and All-America honors. He’s built stellar coaching after succeeding longtime coach Dave Hrovat.

Over to the California campus, where we meet the Dunn family. Gary and Missy's story began in their final semester of graduate school, having their first date in the Vulcan Theater in Natali Student Center. They married in California, PA in 2001 having their wedding reception in the Performance Center in Natali. The couple has a daughter, Sydney, who is 17.

Gary Dunn, a former four-year starter for the Vulcans, serves as the California head football coach.

Missy Dunn, Director of Student Development, leads PennWest’s New Student Orientation, Welcome Weekend, and key leadership programs while supporting student groups across campus.

Speech-language pathologists play a vital role in helping individuals communicate, learn, and thrive – making the field essential in healthcare and education. PennWest’s innovative online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program expands access to this impactful profession through a flexible curriculum, simulation‑based training, and an immersive on‑campus intensive.

Today, we welcome faculty and students who share how this program is transforming opportunities for rural and working professionals.

Today's guests include:

Kristen West is an Assistant Professor, Assistant Chair, and Director of the Online MSSLP Program at PennWest University. She specializes in pediatric dysphagia, feeding disorders, medical speech pathology and early intervention.

April Wright is a Speech-Language Pathologist and assistant professor at PennWest. With a decade of clinical experience in adult neurogenic care, she specializes in communication, voice and swallowing.

Melissa Kruse is a Los Angeles-based SLP student and founder of Bandit Filmworks. A storyteller at heart, she was drawn to speech-language pathology to help people reclaim their voices and share their stories.

Mudita Belani is a Developmental and Therapeutic Play Specialist, Early Childhood educator, and Speech-Language Pathology graduate student with 18 years of global experience. Based in Arizona, she supports families through early intervention and SLP services while advancing her clinical training.

Today, we spotlight the newly launched PennWest CORE — the Office of Community, Opportunity, Responsibility, and Engagement. CORE leads initiatives that promote dignity, belonging, leadership development, and community engagement across our campuses.

We’re joined by two students and two faculty members who are helping bring CORE’s mission to life. They’ll share how this new office is shaping student success, strengthening connections, and building a more inclusive PennWest community.

Sade Taylor is a sophomore at PennWest Edinboro from Vandergrift, PA, majoring in Early Childhood & Elementary Education and adding a CSCD minor. Sade is known for her empathy, authenticity, and commitment to creating inclusive, uplifting spaces for every student she encounters.

Jordyn Reynolds, from Philadelphia, is a Middle Level Education major at our California campus, with minors in Special Education and Psychology. She serves as President of the Black Student Union. Jordyn is dedicated to creating inclusive, connected campus spaces.

Dr. Michelle Early Torregano is a PennWest professor of Education and director of the Frederick Douglass Institute. Dr. Torregano researches multicultural education, academic freedom, and policies impacting underrepresented students. A social justice advocate, she teaches in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and serves on key university committees. A New Orleans native, she loves cooking, jazz, and celebrating southern culture as a proud mother of two.

Dr. Joseph Croskey is a West Point graduate, Army veteran and former Ranger who served six years, including in Desert Storm. He earned his Ph.D. from IUP researching mindfulness and now directs the Act 101 Flourish Program at Clarion and Edinboro. A leadership and well‑being educator who teaches globally – including through the UN’s Peace on Purpose program – Dr. Croskey is a dedicated advocate for human flourishing.

Welcome back to The Power of PennWest – we are excited to begin the fourth season of the podcast.

This year, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference will celebrate its 75th anniversary, highlighting the conference’s proud history. The conference will honor 300 influential contributors who shaped the legacy of athletics in Pennsylvania.

Among them are standout PennWest student athlete alumni whose achievements, leadership and impact across generations continue to elevate the conference’s reputation. Their inclusion highlights PennWest’s enduring tradition of excellence within the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Today's guests include:

Trevor Harris, a 4-time All-PSAC Edinboro quarterback, has built an impressive professional career in the Canadian Football League, becoming one of its most consistent and respected passers. Known for his leadership, accuracy, and longevity, Harris continues to elevate every team he joins. His journey reflects Edinboro’s tradition of developing disciplined, high-achieving student‑athletes who excel beyond campus.

Divonne Franklin is a decorated alumna of our California campus and one of Division II’s most accomplished sprinters. A two‑time NCAA national champion and Division II record‑holder in the 100m, she earned numerous All‑America and PSAC honors before joining Haverford College as an assistant coach. Franklin brings elite competitive experience, academic excellence and a passion for mentorship to the track.

Wade Schalles, one of wrestling’s most inventive and accomplished competitors, carved his legendary career at Clarion, where he captured multiple NCAA titles and redefined the art of the pin. A record‑setting athlete, coach, clinician, and Hall of Famer, Wade’s unmatched influence and relentless creativity continue to shape the sport and inspire generations of wrestlers.

In today's episode, we sit down with PennWest’s new Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management to explore how enrollment is evolving – and why it’s about so much more than numbers. Two members of PennWest’s administration also join to discuss how enrollment management impacts the entire college experience.

We’ll dive into what enrollment really means today – access, equity, student success and completion – and how expanding pathways through dual enrollment, transfer partnerships and pipelines in nursing and education have led and will lead to outstanding outcomes.

Today’s guests include:

Darren Wagner joins PennWest as Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, bringing 20+ years of experience in higher education and the private sector. At Rowan University, he drove record enrollment and global partnerships through bold, data-driven strategies.

Dr. Jim Fisher serves as PennWest’s Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. With over 20 years as a professor of politics and legal studies at Edinboro, he’s held leadership roles including department chair, associate provost, and interim dean.

Dr. Susanne Fenske serves as PennWest’s Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Affairs. She leads efforts in assessment, accreditation, compliance, and retention while fostering exceptional student experiences. As chief student affairs officer, she oversees housing, wellness, career services, and campus life.

Today’s conversation is one I’ve been looking forward to all semester. Commencement is such a special time – it’s a celebration of hard work, resilience, and the incredible journeys our students have taken to reach this milestone.

In this episode, I have the privilege of sitting down with the three commencement speakers from each of our campuses. These individuals represent the very best of PennWest.

Today's guests include:

Alexis Steenburg graduates with a Criminal Justice degree and an associate in engineering technology. A Coal Township native, she’s been a dynamic leader at PennWest California – serving in student government, Greek life and honors programs. Her involvement spans leadership academies, national conferences and campus initiatives.

Zachary Troese, a Psychology major and lifelong Clarion resident, has been a campus leader through the University Activities Board, serving as President and PR Chair. Zach also sang in the choir and served on Homecoming Court. His next chapter: pursuing a master’s in School Counseling to guide future generations.

Bob Moats, a Health and Physical Education major from Cambridge Springs, found his passion through campus recreation. From working at the rock wall to leading intramurals, Bob became a cornerstone of student life, even serving as Student Government Secretary. A Dean’s List scholar, Bob’s story reflects dedication, adaptability and a love for fostering community wellness.

What does it take to turn a college experience into a career launchpad? In today’s episode, we follow the journeys of students who are doing just that – through internships, mentorships and career development opportunities that are shaping their futures. And from our career center’s executive director who discovered his passion while attending a PennWest campus.

Today's guests include:

Lauren Bryant is a senior at PennWest California from Beaver Falls, PA. She’s completed internships at WTAE-TV Pittsburgh, FOX Weather in New York, and is currently interning at WTOV-TV in Steubenville. Lauren has also job-shadowed at KDKA-TV and the National Weather Service.

Lanie Franklin, a dual animation and illustration major at PennWest Edinboro, gained hands-on experience through a summer internship with ARTS Oil City. She contributed to signage design and launched the Artist Spotlight series, deepening her connection to the local arts scene.

Kyle Bennett is an international student from Trinidad and Tobago studying Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering at PennWest California, with minors in Marketing and Graphic Design. A black belt in Karate, he founded and leads the PennWest Martial Arts Club.

Josh Domitrovich, a Western PA native and six-year USAF Pennsylvania Air National Guard veteran, holds degrees in HR management and an MBA from Clarion, plus a Doctor of Education from IUP focused on gamification and engagement. A NACE-certified career coach, he’s presented nationally and published with NACE.