Board of Trustees, Administration, and Faculty

• Alvernia Administration
• Board of Trustees
• President’s Leadership Team
• Deans of the University
• College and Academic Departments
• Full-Time Faculty
• Professor and Dean Emeriti

Board of Trustees, Administration, and Faculty

Chair

Michael Duff
Penske Truck Leasing
retired Senior Vice President

Vice Chair

Jeffrey Rush
Fulton Bank
President Commercial Markets

Secretary

Patricia C. Giles
Wyomissing Foundation, Inc.
Foundation President

University President

Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D.

University Counsel

Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn

President Emeritus

Thomas F. Flynn, Ph.D.
Deacon Daniel N. DeLucca, M.B.A, L.H.D., Ph.D.
Laurence W. Mazzeno III, Ph.D.

Trustees Emeriti

Bernardine Franciscan Sisters
Carl Anderson, Jr.
James Boscov
William Combs, III
Salvatore M. Cutrona, Sr.
Jess F. Cwiklinski*
Raymond Dee*
P. Michael Ehlerman
Frank A. Franco, M.D.*
Bernard Fromm
John W. Gruber, M.D.
Angel Helm
Kathleen D. Herbein ‘95
Carolyn R. Holleran
T. Jerome Holleran
Joanne Judge, Esq.
Steven Keiser ‘80
Chris Kraras
Leroy Kline*
Rev. Msgr. Felix A. Losito*
The Hon. Linda K. M. Ludgate ‘77
Thomas Martell
The Hon. Thomas McMahon
Bob McCormick
Janice B. Miller
Carole Neag
Estate of Michael O’Pake*
Richard A. Purcell
Kevin St. Cyr
Richard Tschiderer*
The Hon. Mary Ann Ullman
John D. Wanner ‘82
Alfred J. Weber
Chester M. Winters
Robert T. Wright*

*Deceased

Board of Trustees

Charles Barbera
Tower Health
President/CEO

Paula Barrett
Reinsel Kuntz Lesher
Retired

Michael Caron
GTS-Welco
Retired

Kevin P. DeAcosta
The Highlands of Wyomissing
President & CEO

Sister Ann Therese deGuise
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters

Richard Ehst
Customers Bank
Retired Pres., CEO/CDO

John H. Gallen, Jr.
EthoSource & Wyatt Seating
Owner & President

Jane Gates
Connecticut State Colleges & Universities
Retired Provost/SVP

Sr. Madonna Marie Harvath, OSF
Bernardine Franciscan
Sisters Congregational Counselor, Director of Vocations

Steven Koons ‘05
Sikich, LLP
Partner and Federal Service Line Leader

Ginger Kunkel
Tompkins Bank
President

Daniel Langdon
East Penn Manufacturing, Inc.
Retired CEO

Sister Sandra Lyons
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters
Assistant Congregational Minister

David Patti
Customers Bank
Director of Communication & Marketing

Karen Piraino
LVR, Inc.
CEO

Sister John Ann Proach
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters
Congregational Minister

Peter Rye
Brentwood Industries, Inc.
President

Jeanne Savage ‘88
Community Volunteer

Barry Schlouch
Schlouch Incorporated
Owner, President

Gregory Shemanski
Custom Processing Service, Inc
President and Owner

Lucine Sihelnik
Gayatri Wellness
Founder

Sister Mary Sninsky
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters

Sister Mary Joseph Tirpak
Bernardine Franciscan Sisters

Michael Tobash
Tobash Insurance Agency & Financial Services
Owner, Former PA House of Rep. Member

David Turner
First Energy Corp.
Regional Manager, External Affairs

Patrick Witmer
B Braun Medical Inc.
VP for Corporate Affairs and Communications

President’s Leadership Team

Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., President
John R. McCloskey, DBA, Senior Vice President, and Chief of Staff
Gaetan Giannini, Ed.D., Vice President Graduate & Adult Education
Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D., Senior Vice President & Provost
Thomas Minick, MA, Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Mary-Alice Ozechoski, MA, Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Rodney S. Ridley, Sr., Ph.D., Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of O’Pake Institute
Adam Waszkiewicz, Vice President of Business Affairs

Deans of the University

Patricia Reger, Ph.D. Dean, College of Health Sciences
Elizabeth Matteo, Ph.D., Dean, College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
David Shoup, Ph. D., Dean, College of Innovation, Discovery, and Enterprise 

College and Academic Departments

College of Health Sciences

• Chair, Athletic Training, Thomas Franek, Ph.D.
• Chair, Healthcare Science, Tom Porrazzo, Ph.D.
• Chief Nursing Officer, Nursing, Linda Roy, Ph.D.
• Chair, Occupational Therapy, Jayme Ober, OTD
• Chair, Physical Therapy, Pamela Unger, PT, DPT 
• Program Director, Physician Assistant, Renee Langstaff, MSPAS

College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences

• Chair, Communication, Ryan Lange, Ph.D.
• Chair, Criminal Justice, Malgorzata Zuber, Ph.D.
• Chair, Education, Shawn Rutt, Ph.D.
• Chair, Humanities, Corey Harris, Ph.D.
• Chair, Leadership, Alicia Sprow, Ph.D.
• Chair, Psychology and Counseling, Di You, Ph.D.
• Chair, Social Work, Cynthia Corbin, MSW
• Program Directors, Master of Social Work, Cynthia Corbin, MSW
• Program Director, Bachelor of Social Work, Michael Hassler, DSW
• Program Director, Addictions and Mental Health, David Reyher, MSW

College of Innovation, Discovery, and Enterprise

• Chair, Business, Tufan Tiglioglu, Ph.D.
• Chair, Engineering, Joseph Mahoney, Ph.D.
• Chair, Fine & Performing Arts, Nathan Thomas, Ph.D.
• Chair, Mathematics and Technology, Matthew Prudente, Ph.D
• Chair, Natural and Applied Sciences, Michelle Serapiglia, Ph.D.

Full-Time Faculty

Julie Axelrod, DPT
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
BA, MPT Temple University
DPT, Arcadia University

Alison Babula, OTD
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
OTD, University St. Augustine
MSOT, Tufts University
BA, Dickinson College
OTR/L, CHT

Jamie Becker, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
BS, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Travis A. Berger, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Business
BA ,The Pennsylvania State University
M.Ed., Alvernia University
Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Cynthia Bickings, MSN
Professional Specialist of Nursing
BS, Immaculata University
MSN, Alvernia University

Thomas R. Bierowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Literature
BA, St. Joseph’s University
MA, San Francisco State University
Ph.D., Lehigh University

Joseph Birli, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor of Social Work
BSW, Eastern University
MS, West Chester University
Ed.D., Wilmington University

Tim Blessing, Ph.D.
Professor of History
BA, University of Wyoming
MPA, MA, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Samuel Bradley, DBA
Associate Professor of Business
BA, West Chester University
MBA, Drexel University
DBA, Argosy University

Molly Brobst, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor of Education
BA, Alvernia College
MS, Wilkes University
Ed.D., Walden University

Jane Brooker, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Business
BA, Cedarville University
MBA, University of Findlay
Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Cheryl Cooper, MSW
Instructor of Social Work
BSW, MSW, University of Pittsburgh

Cynthia Corbin, MSW
Instructor of Social Work
BSW, MSW, Temple University

Scott Davidson, MA
Instructor of Theology
BS, St. Louis University
MA, Washington Theological Union

Kevin Donnelly, Ph.D.
Professor of History
BA, University of Missouri
MA, Ph.D., Brandeis University

Steven Dougherty, DC
Assistant Professor of Biology
BS, Monmouth College
DC, Life Chiropractic College

Mary Ann Durant, DNP
Assistant Professor of Nursing
BSN, M.Ed Pennsylvania State University
MSN, American Sentinel University
MSN, DNP American Sentinel University

Salem Elsaiah, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering
BS and MS, University of Benghazi
Ph.D., Michigan State University

Catherine Emenheiser, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
BS, Albright College
MSOT, Boston University
Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University

Caroline M. Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication and Digital Media
BS, Pennsylvania State University
MS, Wilkes University
MA, Bloomsburg University
Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Thomas Franek, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Athletic Training
BS, Slippery Rock University
MS, Indiana State University
Ph.D., Rocky Mountain University

Kevin Godfrey, Ph.D.
Professor of Theology
BA, University of Minnesota
MA, The Catholic University of America
Ph.D., Saint Louis University

Ashley Gray, DAT
Assistant Professor of Athletic Training
BS, West Chester University
MS, Ohio University
DAT, Moravian College

Nicole L. Hall, Ph.D., LPC
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Licensed Professional Counselor
BA, Cedarville University
MA, Xavier University
Ph.D., Regent University

Jessica Hamlet, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Literature
BA, Pacific University of Oregon
MFA, Mary Baldwin University
Ph.D., The University of Alabama

Jennifer Haraschak, MSN
Instructor of Nursing
BSN, Alvernia University
MSN, Alvernia University

Corey Harris, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Theology
BA, Lafayette College
MA, LaSalle University
Ph.D., Duquesne University

Michael Hassler, DSW
Assistant Professor of Social Work
BA, De Sales University
MA, De Sales University
MSW, The National Catholic School of Social Service
DSW, Kutztown University

Josh M. Hayes, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Philosophy
BA, The Colorado College
MA, Ph.D. New School for Social Research

Paul Heffner, DSW
Associate Professor of Social Work
BA, Indiana University of PA
MSW, California State University
DSW, University of Pennsylvania

Heather Keperling, MSN
Associate Professor of Nursing
BSN, Purdue University
MSN, University of Pennsylvania

Jeremy Kettering, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Business
BA, University of Iowa
MS, Western Illinois University
Ph.D., University of Rochester

Ondra M. Kielbasa, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
BS, Albright College
Ph.D., Boston University

Woosoon Kim, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Business
BA, Pusan National University
MBA, Washington State University
Ph.D., University of Florida

Darren T. Koch, D.C.
Assistant Professor of Biology
BS, West Chester University
DC, Life University

Tracy Kramer, DNP
Instructor of Nursing
BSN, The Pennsylvania State University
MSN, Widener University
DNP, Wilkes University

Joseph Kremer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Chemistry
BS, Slippery Rock University
Ph.D. Colorado State University

Kayla Landers
Professional Specialist in Communication and Digital Media
BS, Slippery Rock University
MA, Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Ryan L. Lange, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication and Digital Media
BA, MA Cleveland State University
Ph.D., Michigan State University

Renee Langstaff, MSPAS
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
BS, Ithaca College
MSPAS, Arcadia University

Elena Lawrick, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
BA & MA, Far Eastern State University, Russia
Ph.D., Purdue University

Kris L. Lowrey
Associate Professor of Communication and Digital Media
BA, Shippensburg University
MA, American University
Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Joseph Mahoney, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
BS, MS, and Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Elizabeth K. Matteo, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
BFA, State University of New York at Binghamton
BS, University of Oregon
MEd, MS, Ph.D., Lehigh University

Antonella Merolla, MA
Instructor of Spanish
BA, Immaculata College
MA, Middlebury College

Jennifer Miller, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Nursing
BS, MS, and OTD, Temple University

Farah Mneimnah, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
BS, Lebanese University
Ph.D., American University of Beirut

Cynthia Mohn, MSN
Instructor of Nursing
BSN, University of Phoenix
MSN, University of Phoenix

Angelica Montoya, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Spanish
BA, Pennsylvania State University
MA, University of Florida
Ph.D., Rutgers University

Santosh Neupane, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Physics
MS, Tribhuvan University
Ph.D., Temple University

Nicholas Nicoletti, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political Science
BA, College at Brockport SUNY
MS, MBA, St. John Fisher College
Ph.D., University at Buffalo, SUNY

Sister Paula Nowak, OSF, MATM
Instructor of Mathematics
BA, Alvernia University
MA, Villanova University

Jayme L. Ober, OTD
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
BS, Temple University
OTD, Chatham University

James O’Donohue, DPT
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, Boston University
DPT, Temple University

Stephanie Pillai, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
BS, Clemson University
MS, Clemson University
MPAS, James Madison University

Thomas G. Porrazzo, Ph.D.
Professor of Healthcare Science
BSE, SUNY at Cortland
MS, Eastern Illinois University
Ph.D., Temple University

Teri Price, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Physics
BS, Tulane University
MS, Ph.D., Lehigh University

Matthew J. Prudente, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mathematics
BS, University of Scranton
MS, Ph.D. Lehigh University

Jodi Radosh, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication and Digital Media
BA, Rutgers University
MJ, Ph.D. Temple University

Peter Rampson, MA
Associate Professor of Graphic Art
BA, Rhode Island School of Design
MA, North Carolina State University

Eric Recktenwald, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
BS, Ph.D., Temple University

David Reyher, MSW
Instructor of Addictions and Mental Health Treatment
BS, The Pennsylvania State University
MSW, Marywood University

Sandra Reyher, MS
Instructor of Addictions and Mental Health Treatment
BS, The Pennsylvania State University
BS, Thomas Jefferson University
MS, Chestnut Hill College

Colleen Rhoads, MSN
Professional Specialist, Nursing
BS, Holy Family University
MS, Drexel University

Cynthia D. Rothenberger, DNP
Assistant Professor of Nursing
BSN, Albright College
MSN, University of Pennsylvania
DNP, Case Western Resolve University

Ana I. Ruiz, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
BS, Catholic University of Pernambuco
MS, Federal University of Pernambuco
Ph.D., Cornell University

Angela Salio, MSN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
BA, BS, West Chester University
MSN, Chamberlain University

Judith Schrepfer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
BS, The Pennsylvania State University
MS, PA College of Optometry
Ph.D., Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Bongrae Seok, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy
BA, MA, Seoul National University
MA, Ph.D., University of Arizona

Michelle J. Serapiglia, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biology
BS, MS, University of New Hampshire
Ph.D., State University of New York

A. Janae Sholtz, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy
BA, Rhodes College
MA, New School University
Ph.D., University of Memphis

David Shoup, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mathematics
BS, Lehigh University
MA, Ph.D. George Washington University

Joshua Smith, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
BS, Clarion University
Ph.D., University of Florida

Karen Sponagle, MSN
Professional Specialist of Nursing
BSN, University of Delaware
MSN, Alvernia University

Alicia Sprow, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Leadership
BA, State University of New York
M.Ed., Lehigh University
Ph.D., Alvernia University

Amanda Stilianos, OTD
Professional Specialist of Occupational Therapy
MSOT, Alvernia University
OTD, Chatham University

Soo Yeon Sun, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, Daegu University
MA, Ph.D., University of Southern California

Kelsey Swope, MSOT
Professional Specialist of Occupational Therapy
BS, and MSOT, University of Pittsburgh

Jeannine Tait-Donlan, MSN
Instructor of Nursing
BSN, Alvernia University
MSN, Alvernia University

Karen S. Thacker, Ph.D.
Professor of Nursing
BSN, Marshall University
MSN, West Virginia University
Ph.D., Widener University

Amy J. Thomas, OTD
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy
BS, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
MSOT, Alvernia University
OTD, Chatham University

Nathan Thomas, Ph.D.
Professor of Theater
BA, Central State University of Oklahoma
MA, Ph.D., Michigan State University

Marcia Thompson, DPT
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
BSPT, Russell Sage College
DPT, University of the Pacific

Tufan Tiglioglu, Ph.D.
Professor of Business
BS, Istanbul Technical University
MA, Ph.D., Texas Tech University

Pamela G. Unger, DPT
Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, University of Pennsylvania
DPT, Still University of Health Sciences

Erin Way, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
BA, Elon University
MA, Ph.D., George Mason University

Natalie Weidman, DNP
Assistant Professor of Nursing
BSN, Alvernia University
MSN, Kutztown University
DNP, Chamberlain College of Nursing

Mary Ellen Wells, JD
Professor of Business
BBA, University of Massachusetts
JD, LLM Boston University

Victoria Claire Williams, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science
BA, Lynchburg College
MA, Baylor University
MA, Ph.D. University of Kentucky

Di You, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
BA, Inner Mongolia Polytechnic University
Ph.D., University of Minnesota

Robin Zappin, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy
BS, Boston University
MA, New York University
Ed.D., Teachers College - Columbia University

Malgorzata J. Zuber, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
BA, Swietokrzyski College in Kielcc, Poland
MA, University of Rzeszow - Poland
MA, Ph.D. University of Massachusetts Lowell

Professor and Dean Emeriti

Theresa Adams, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of Nursing
BSN, The Pennsylvania State University
MSN, Villanova University
Ph.D., Alvernia University

Peggy Bowen-Hartung, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of Psychology
BS, MS, Ph.D., Texas A&M University

Vera Brancato, Ed.D.
Professor Emerita of Nursing
BSN, MSN, University of Pittsburgh
Ed.D., Widener University

Sr. Mary Stella Cisz*, OSF
Professor Emerita of Nursing
BSN, Creighton University
MSN, Catholic University of America

Marybeth DeMeo*, M.A.T.
Professor Emerita of English
BA, Syracuse University
MAT, University of Notre Dame

Bryan Driebelbis, M.Ed.
Professor Emerita of Business
BS, M.Ed., Bloomsburg State College

Ellen M. Engler, M.S.Ed.
Professor Emerita of Education
AB, Immaculata College
M.Ed., Temple University

Sr. Lois Ann Falong, OSF
Professor Emerita of Nursing
BSN, College Misericordia

Louise Fura, DNP
Professor Emerita of Nursing
BSN, De Sales University
MSN, University of Pennsylvania
DNP, Case Western Reserve University

Deborah A. Greenawald, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Nursing
BMus, Bucknell University
BSN, George Mason University
MSN, PhD, Widener University

Louise Grim, M.S.Ed.
Professor Emerita of Physical Therapy
BA McGill University
M.Ed. Temple University

Edgar J. Hartung*, JD
Professor Emerita of Criminal Justice
BS, Rio Grande College
MA, Sam Houston State University
JD, Cleveland State University

Sr. M. Mercylle Grzeszkiewicz*, OSF
Professor Emerita of Music
BM, College Misericordia
MME, North Texas State University

Sr. Ramona Koloski*, OSF
Professor Emerita of Nursing
BSN, College Misericordia
MSN, Catholic University of America

Sr. Florence Kruczek, OSF
Professor Emerita of French
BA, Carlow College
MA, Assumption College
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University

Richard Law, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of English
BS, West Chester State College
MA, Lehigh University
Ph.D., Temple University

Joan M. Lewis, Ph.D., ASCW
Professor Emerita of Social Work
MSW, Temple University
BA, Ph.D., Marywood University

Sr. M. Jacinta Respondowska, OSF
Professor Emerita of Philosophy
BA, Emmanuel College
MA, Ph.D., Duquesne University

John Rochowicz, Jr. Ed.D.
Professor Emerita of Mathematics/Physics
BS, Albright College
MS, Ed.D., Lehigh University

Mary B. Schreiner, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of Education
BS, MEd Slippery Rock University
Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Carol N. Schwanger, MM
Professor Emerita of Music
BS, West Chester State College
MM, University of North Texas

Sr. M. Pacelli Staskiel*, OSF
Professor Emerita of English and Communication
BSEd, West Chester University
MA, Villanova University
Ph.D., Duquesne University

Richard Stichler, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of Philosophy
BA, Marlboro College
MA, Ph.D., Georgetown University

Gerald S. Vigna, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of Theology
BA, Temple University
Ph.D., Northwestern University

Judith Warchal, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of Psychology
BS, King’s College
MS, University of Scranton
Ph.D., Lehigh University

Gwen Williams, Ed.D.
Professor Emerita of Business
BA, Drew University
MLS, MA, Rutgers University
Ed.D., Lehigh University

Donna Yarri, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita of Theology
BA, Queens College
MD, Alliance Theological Seminary
Ph.D., Southern Methodist University

Emma Yoh*, BA
Professor Emerita of Education
BA, Albright College

*Deceased