The Power of PennWest
The Power of PennWest brings you inside the heart of Western Pennsylvania. Hosted by President Dr. Jon Anderson, each episode dives into the stories behind our campuses – California, Clarion and Edinboro. Through conversations with students, faculty and alumni, you’ll hear what makes PennWest thrive: the work, the connections, the wins and the lessons that shape who we are.
More Than a Degree: What’s Possible at PennWest
What does it mean to truly make the most of your college experience?
In this episode of The Power of PennWest, host Darrek Harshberger, Associate Director of Student Development and Engagement and a proud PennWest California alumnus, sits down with three students from across the PennWest campuses to explore how getting involved beyond the classroom has shaped their college journeys.
Joining the conversation are Callie Heynes, a Business major and student leader at PennWest Clarion; Dominic Hoffmann, an Exercise Science student and campus engagement advocate at PennWest California; and Michaela Mitchell, a Communications major, student-athlete...
Investing in Success: Grant-Funded Opportunities at PennWest
In this episode of the podcast, host Molly Jenkins explores how grant-funded initiatives are transforming lives, strengthening academic programs, and addressing critical workforce needs across Pennsylvania.
This episode spotlights PennWest’s Deaf Education Apprenticeship Program, an innovative initiative designed to prepare the next generation of teachers for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Through the perspectives of program leaders, educational partners, and a student apprentice, listeners will discover how external funding is helping remove barriers, create career pathways, and expand opportunities for both educators and learners.
Molly is joined by Dr. Karen Wise Li...
From Classroom to Career: Celebrating Criminal Justice Excellence at PennWest
In Episode 9 of The Power of PennWest podcast, Dr. Kevin Courtright explores the people, programs and opportunities that have shaped PennWest’s longstanding excellence in criminal justice education.
Recorded during the celebration of the newly dedicated John R. Cencich Center for Investigative and Forensic Sciences at PennWest California, this episode features Professor Emeritus Dr. John Cencich, an international war crimes investigator and visionary educator whose contributions transformed criminal justice education and created hands-on investigative opportunities for students.
Joining the conversation is Dr. Laurel Harry, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and a PennWest alumna wh...
Learning in Action at PennWest
What does learning really look like beyond the syllabus? In this episode, we invite you to sit in on the PennWest experience as students and faculty explore the moments that make education meaningful.
Join guest host Dr. Lacey Fulton, Director of the Center for Faculty Excellence and professor in PennWest's Business, Economics, and Communication Department, for a conversation that brings the classroom experience to life.
This episode features Dr. Rebecca Wehler, an associate professor whose work focuses on inclusive physical activity, service learning, and creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities; Dean Spade, a Fisheries and...
Beyond the Game: How PennWest Athletes Do It All
How do some students manage to excel in athletics, academics, leadership, service, and campus involvement all at once? In this episode of The Power of PennWest, host Craig Butler sits down with three remarkable student-athletes who embody what it means to make the most of the college experience.
Meet Loreena Manser, a PennWest California track and field athlete, Health Science major, mentor, and campus leader; Taelyn Thomas, a PennWest Clarion multi-sport athlete balancing tennis, diving, computing, and extensive campus involvement; and Zoe Furman, a PennWest Edinboro women's wrestler who has embraced opportunities to lead, serve, and connect...
Unidos, Somos Más: Stories of Identity, Heritage and Belonging
What does it mean to belong, connect and grow stronger together?
In this special Latinx Heritage Month episode of The Power of PennWest, guest host Dr. Stephanie Diez welcomes three distinguished members of the PennWest community for a heartfelt Café con Leche conversation inspired by this year's theme, “Unidos, Somos Más” (Together, We Are More).
Join Dr. Sheila Lorenzo de la Peña, Dr. Miguel Olivas-Luján and Dr. Sandra Trejos as they share personal stories about culture, family, identity and the experiences that have shaped their journeys as educators, scholars and community leaders. Through...
Homecoming: What Stays With You
In this episode of The Power of PennWest, host Amanda Sissem, associate vice president for Alumni Engagement and campus administrator for PennWest Edinboro, explores the meaning of Homecoming and the lifelong connections that begin at PennWest.
Joining the conversation are Kylie Anicic Ries, a 2024 Edinboro graduate, former All-American student-athlete and registered nurse; Raechel Braun, a PennWest Clarion student-athlete and campus leader; and Davis Slagle, a California alumnus, former Homecoming King and business executive.
Together, they share how their experiences as students helped shape their personal and professional journeys, reflect on the traditions...
Meeting Students Where They Are: The Future of Student Success
In this episode of The Power of PennWest, student host and Student Trustee Aiden Dougan explores how higher education is evolving to meet the needs of today’s students. Joined by Jill Loop, Rachel Michaels and Dr. Leah Chambers, the conversation examines student success, wellness, retention and first-year support. From mental health and belonging to academic achievement and career readiness, discover how PennWest is creating innovative programs and personalized support to help students thrive in a rapidly changing world.
25 Years Later: Remembering 9/11 Through Science, Media and Memory
For this special 25th anniversary episode, we reflect on the lasting impact of September 11, 2001, through the perspectives of forensic science, journalism and collective memory.
Host Dr. Debbie Goh, associate professor of English, Philosophy, and Modern Languages at PennWest and a former journalist, is joined by Dr. Lenore Barbian, director of the PennWest Honors Program and nationally recognized forensic anthropologist. In the days following the attacks, Dr. Barbian was deployed to Somerset County to assist with the identification of victims from United Airlines Flight 93, giving her a firsthand look at the forensic response to one of the most...
Learning Beyond the Classroom: From Classroom to Career
This episode explores learning beyond the classroom and how internships, student teaching, field experiences, research and other hands-on opportunities help PennWest students turn knowledge into real-world experience.
Host Dr. Josh Domitrovich, Executive Director of The Career Center and Clarion Campus Lead, sits down with four guests whose summer experiences highlight the impact of experiential learning. Hear from Natalie Battaglia, a PennWest Clarion Honors student who interned with the Oil City Main Street Program through support from the McElhattan Foundation; Zoe Barron, a PennWest Edinboro Digital Film and Photography student who gained professional experience creating photo and video...
Student Voices: The Paths That Led to PennWest
"The Power of PennWest" returns for Season 5 with a fresh format and new voices from across the university community. Hosted by a rotating group of PennWest faculty, staff and student leaders, this season highlights the people, experiences and opportunities that make PennWest a place where students can learn, lead, and belong.
In our season premiere, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and PennWest Clarion alumnus Dr. Shawn Hoke hosts a conversation centered on a question that shapes every college journey: Why do students choose PennWest, and what helps them feel at home once they arrive?
...
America at 250: PennWest Stories That Shape Us
As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, this special episode brings together three members of the PennWest community whose work reflects the depth, complexity and evolution of the American story.
Today we’ll speak with one faculty scholar, whose journey bridges generations, and shaped by a pivotal immigration story. Another faculty member guest connects local experiences to national narratives, illuminating World War II, labor and immigration while showing how history lives in everyday communities.
Finally, our student scholar amplifies citizen voices, championing inclusive storytelling and elevating women’s history.
To...
From PennWest to the World: Summer Adventures Shaping the Future
This summer, PennWest students and faculty aren’t just leaving campus – they’re stepping into the world. From rainforest research in Madagascar and reef studies in Thailand to creative mentorship in Japan and community advocacy closer to home, these experiences highlight learning beyond the classroom.
Today’s episode celebrates bold plans, global exploration and hands-on opportunities shaping futures in science, storytelling, and public service. Each journey reflects curiosity, commitment, and real-world impact.
Today's guests include:
Dr. Summer Arrigo Nelson is a Professor of Biology, Earth, and Environmental Sciences at PennWest, teaching animal behavior, conserva...
Voices of the Class of 2026: Where Purpose Meets Perseverance
Today is the second part of the 2-part series with our May 2026 PennWest commencement student speakers.
Just like last week’s episode, today celebrates transformation – the journey from uncertain beginnings to confident leadership. Our guests embody what happens when passion is met with resilience, when service fuels purpose, and when perseverance shapes impact.
From classrooms to athletics, advocacy, and campus leadership, these students have not only found their voices – they’ve used them to lift others.
Today's guests include:
Kendal Mumaw is a senior, earning dual degrees in Secondary Education Social Studies...
Voices of the Class of 2026: Purpose, Persistence, and the PennWest Journey
Today is Part 1 of our 2-part series with our May 2026 PennWest commencement student speakers.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be celebrating the graduating Class of 2026 and the voices that rise to represent it. Today’s episode begins that celebration by honoring students whose journeys reflect the very best of PennWest.
Through perseverance, leadership, service and academic purpose, they have shaped not only their own futures, but the communities around them.
Today's guests include:
Caitlyn Egan is a senior at PennWest California majoring in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Inve...
P.E.A.K. Performance: How PennWest Powers Students and Small Business
PennWest recently launched a new initiative bringing together innovative economic development programs across our three Western Pennsylvania campuses.
P.E.A.K. @ PennWest supports regional business growth while offering students meaningful, real-world learning experiences. Through partners like the Clarion SBDC, California’s APEX Accelerator, PennWest Edinboro’s Beehive, the Career Center, and academic programs across multiple disciplines, P.E.A.K. provides resources for local businesses and gives students hands-on experience that prepares them to lead, create and innovate.
Today's guests include:
Chad Smith is a Professor of Management and Marketing at PennWest, focu...
Real Skills, Real Careers: The Power of Hands-On Learning
On today’s episode, we’re talking about learning by doing. You can read about a career. You can watch a video about it. Or you can step into a lab, pick up the tools, make mistakes, solve problems and discover whether this path is truly for you.
At PennWest, learning doesn’t stop at the textbook. It comes alive in automation labs where students wire and program real systems. In studios where stories are framed, filmed, and edited. And even in places you might not expect – like nutrition classrooms, where students test, taste, and refine food choices...
Hands in the Soil, Eyes on the Future: Earth Day at PennWest
This Earth Day, we’re celebrating the science that gets its hands dirty and its ideas moving.
Across PennWest, students and faculty are turning STEM knowledge into real solutions – protecting ecosystems, restoring landscapes and rethinking how we care for our planet. From field sites to labs, from data to action, this is where curiosity becomes impact.
Today, we have two students and one faculty member who prove that when you invest in the Earth, the future grows stronger.
Today's guests include:
Kennedy Brown is a senior Environmental Geosciences major with a conc...
Strike a Spark: Celebrating Student Creativity
In today’s episode, we sit down with three remarkablePennWest students and one dedicated faculty mentor to explore how research andcreative scholarship have influenced their academic paths, expanded theiropportunities, and helped them discover their own voices as emerging scholars.
And speaking of presentations – our conversation today alsooffers a preview of PennWest’s signature academic events: Strike a Spark andCelebration of Scholarship, a series that highlights experiential learning andacademic achievement across PennWest.
Today's guests include:
Liz Keppler is a dual major in Graphic Design and Illustration at PennWest Edinboro, passionate about creative storytelling and visual c...
Community Health in Action at PennWest
Today, we’re shining a spotlight on the heart of healthcare – nursing, and more importantly, the dedicated nursing majors and programs at PennWest that are shaping the next generation of caregivers.
We’re exploring why strong, community focused nursing education matters now more than ever. You’ll hear from PennWest nursing students who have stepped into rural Pennsylvania communities – places where access to care can be limited, but the need is undeniable.
Today's guests include:
Aisha Hassan‑Davis is a board‑certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and doctoral‑level NP student committed to advancing com...
Educators who Inspire
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 d...
Greek Life with Purpose
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 Stud...
Walking the Walk: Leadership Development at PennWest
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 se...
Love Takes Root: PennWest Couples Who Started With Us
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...
Pathways to Practice: Transforming SLP Education for Today’s Learners
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 pedia...
CORE in Action: Students and Faculty Shaping Community at PennWest
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...
Legacy in Motion: Celebrating 75 Years of PSAC Excellence with PennWest Legends
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...
Enrollment, Access, and the Next-Generation University
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 Pen...
Beyond the Podium: Stories from PennWest’s Commencement Speakers
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...
Your Future, Your Way: Career Growth with PennWest
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...
Trailblazing Futures: First-Gen Voices at PennWest
In today’s episode, we shine a spotlight on the trailblazers – our first-generation college students. These are the pioneers who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree, navigating higher education with courage, resilience and determination.
Join us as we hear their voices, celebrate their victories, and explore how PennWest supports and empowers first-gen students every step of the way.
Today's guests include:
Avryn Jackson-Bonus is a corporate accountant at ACV Auctions and a proud alum of our Edinboro campus. A former quantitative tutor and undergraduate researcher, he explored climate chan...
Marching Forward: Veterans Leading at PennWest
Today’s episode is a special tribute in honor of Veterans Day. Across our campuses, military service and academic excellence walk hand in hand. In this episode, we’re proud to spotlight three extraordinary members of the PennWest family whose journeys reflect the deep connection between service and scholarship.
Their stories are powerful reminders that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off — it continues in classrooms, communities, and careers.
Let’s meet our guests!
Dr. Mary Kreis, a Sport Management and Exercise Science professor at PennWest for 21 years, served in the U.S. Army...
Monsters, Magic & Meaning: A Scholarly Take on Spooky Season
Today, we’re donning our academic robes and wizard hats to explore the spooky season from a scholarly perspective.
What makes monsters so memorable? Why do ghost stories linger in our cultural consciousness? And how does Harry Potter cast such a long shadow over both pop culture and pedagogy?
From Frankenstein to folklore, from haunted houses to Hogwarts, we’re unpacking the academic angles of Halloween — and having a little fun along the way.
Today's guests include:
Dr. William Hunter is Chair of the English, Philosophy, and Modern Language Department at PennWe...
The Power of the Pivot: Transfer Stories at PennWest
Sometimes the most powerful decision you make in college isn’t about choosing a major – it’s choosing to change direction entirely. In this episode of Power of PennWest, we dive into the transformative journeys of PennWest students who transferred in search of something better: a stronger sense of purpose, a deeper connection to their community and a clearer vision for their future.
Today’s guests include:
Curtis Spurling transferred to PennWest after eight years of part-time study at the Community College of Allegheny County, where he earned an Associate of Science in Gener...
The Heart and Science Behind the Mind at PennWest
What drives someone to dedicate their life to understanding the human mind – or helping others heal and grow? In this episode of Power of PennWest, we explore the powerful intersection of science and compassion through the stories of students and faculty in psychology and neuroscience.
You’ll hear why they chose these fields, what fuels their curiosity about thought, emotion and behavior and how they’re preparing to support future generations through research, therapy, advocacy and education. From classroom insights to real-world impact, this episode reveals how the study of human experience is both deeply personal and profou...
Homecoming Voices: Celebrating Growth, Gratitude & Connection
Today we’re bringing our alumni back to the place that helped shape them.
This October, we celebrate Homecoming across the California, Clarion and Edinboro campuses by sharing the stories of students, faculty and alumni whose lives were transformed by their time at PennWest.
In today’s episode, we’ll hear how college life sparked lifelong friendships, launched careers and created memories that still bring people back year after year.
Let’s meet today’s guests:
Ewing Moussa, Director of Development at Washington Latin Schools in D.C., blends his love for educat...
Securing the Future: Cyber Minds of PennWest
October is Cybersecurity Month, and we’re diving deep into the world of digital defense.
In a world where every click counts, who’s keeping our digital lives safe? In today’s episode, we go beyond the firewalls and into the lives of the people who protect them. You’ll hear from PennWest students, faculty and alumni who share what drew them to the field of cybersecurity – from early sparks of curiosity to the real-world impact of their work today.
Today's guests include:
Dr. Raymond Hsieh is a professor of Criminal Justice at PennWest C...
College Starts Now: The Dual Enrollment Advantage
Today’s episode dives into a powerful opportunity that’s helping high school students get a head start on college: dual enrollment. It’s more than just earning college credits early. It’s about gaining real experience, building confidence and discovering passions before even stepping onto campus full-time.
We’re joined by faculty who teach in dual enrollment programs and students who’ve taken advantage of them. You’ll hear about their backgrounds, their majors, and how PennWest’s supportive programs – from education and business to STEM and the arts – are helping them thrive.
Today’s guests...
Where Majors Meet Momentum: Student Clubs at PennWest
We shine a light on the students who are turning their academic interests into real-world experiences – through clubs that align with their majors.
These clubs are more than extracurriculars, they’re also launchpads for growth, collaboration and confidence. You’ll hear firsthand stories from students and faculty advisors across PennWest’s campuses who share how these organizations help build community, sharpen skills and open doors.
Today's guests include:
Dana Wenner is a senior Chemistry major at PennWest Clarion, specializing in Biochemistry with a minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Dana leads the American Chemical...
The Power of Progress: Education, Business, and Nursing at PennWest
This summer marked a transformative milestone for PennWest with the launch of three new academic schools: the School of Education, School of Business and School of Nursing. These schools are more than just a reorganization – they reflect a strategic commitment to preparing students for the evolving demands of today’s world and tomorrow’s workforce.
In Part One, we hear from:
Dr. Mary Jo Melvin – longtime Edinboro faculty and namesake of the Literacy Center
Christian Ola – finance professor with deep industry experience
Rachel Chobany – senior Accounting major and campus leade...
