Pennsylvania Western University

Ansley Burke remembers having a student teacher from Clarion during her 5th grade year at Immaculate Conception Parish School. She recalls the fun that the student teacher brought and her own sadness when the student teacher completed her assignment at IC.

A lockdown-era spark became a calling. Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, native Lauren Sims started tinkering with computers around age 15 and then enrolled at PennWest California as a criminal justice major. Conversations with faculty - and a course that covered cybersecurity and cyber forensics - showed her how to merge that passion with justice. She added concentrations in cyber forensics and forensic investigation, plus a computer information systems minor to "get the best of both sides."

When Bailey Mutschler arrived at PennWest Edinboro, journalism wasn't even on her radar. A STEM major in her first semester, she never imagined herself stepping behind a microphone, let alone leading a campus radio station or building a career in television news.

PennWest Edinboro senior Gavin Mitsdarfer is earning national recognition for their leadership, advocacy, and passion for education. Mitsdarfer, a secondary education major with dual concentrations in English and special education and a minor in literature and culture, appeared on the Fall 2025 cover of NEA Today for Aspiring Educators in the feature story, "Why We Teach."

When Coal Center, Pennsylvania, native Addison Gregory enrolled in her first PennWest course as a sophomore at California Area High School, she didn't realize just how far the opportunity would take her. Today, she's a biology/pre-medical science major with an honors interdisciplinary minor - already a sophomore in her first semester of college - and on a clear path toward a career in dentistry.

Neonatal speech-language pathology is a big goal, but Camryn Humes started building toward it before day one of college. "I started Dual Enrollment in the spring of 2025, and I took Intro to Psychology," she said.

PennWest California senior Nikkisha Thompson has been recognized with the 2025 PASSHE Keepers of the Flame Award, an annual honor celebrating individuals across Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education who advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging on their campuses. Recipients from each campus in the State System were recognized during the PASSHE Summit on Oct. 29 at PennWest Clarion.

A team of nine students from the PennWest Edinboro Beehive has taken the lead in a major regional economic development initiative, designing the brand and website for NWPAMade, a collaboration with Bridgeway Capital that empowers maker-entrepreneurs across Northwest Pennsylvania.

Selamawit Yilma is the 2025 Keepers of the Flame recipient for PennWest Clarion. The Keepers of the Flame Award honors individuals whose leadership, dedication and impact have strengthened the PASSHE community.

Madison Wakefield grew up watching her mother work with individuals with disabilities, planting a seed of purpose early on. When she arrived at PennWest Edinboro, a nationally recognized disability-friendly campus, Wakefield knew she wanted to help. Yet, when graduate students spoke to her class about the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), she was intimidated.

Three PennWest University students are gaining valuable hands-on experience in finance and investment research as participants in the CFA Society of Pittsburgh's Investment Research Challenge, a regional competition that mirrors the work of professional financial analysts.

The PennWest Department of Visual and Performing Arts will present Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit - a hilarious twist on the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs - Oct. 16-18 in Steele Hall, located on the PennWest California campus. Showtimes are Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m.

When Dana Wenner arrived at PennWest Clarion, she didn't imagine that a single club meeting would change the course of her academic career. Her journey began when the American Chemical Society (ACS) Club visited one of her early classes.

When Hannah Rake arrived at PennWest Clarion, she never expected to become a statewide leader in education. Today, as a junior, she serves as president of Clarion's student PSEA chapter and was recently elected state president-elect of the organization.

For PennWest student Rachael Chobany, the road to her dream career wasn't a straight line. But thanks to the supportive community at PennWest California, her journey was paved with discovery, mentorship and opportunity.

Ari Kaser's path to becoming a PennWest California golfer and a two-time PSAC Athlete of the Week was a series of unexpected turns. A gymnast for most of her life, the Wadsworth, Ohio, native picked up golf after a shoulder injury at age 14 led her to seek a new sport. With a golf coach for a father and a family full of golfers, she had grown up surrounded by the game. Her gymnastics background gave her a unique advantage: the ability to "hit the ball really far, especially for a girl."

The journey to PennWest Clarion was a long one for Luna Castellanos, both in distance and in time. As an international student, she knew that athletics would be her pathway to an American education. Her connection to PennWest Clarion came through a teammate at a Texas club, who had previously dived with Luna's current coach, Heath Calhoun. That small connection sparked a recruitment process that would change her life. After visiting the campus, Luna "already knew I really wanted to come here." The feeling of being a PennWest student-athlete is profoundly meaningful to her. "If I wasn't a student athlete, I probably wouldn't be getting my degree here in the States," said Castellanos, who is pursuing dual degrees in psychology and criminal justice. "It's just like it's opened the doors for me and I love this campus and I love to represent it with everything I have." Luna's dedication to her sport is evident in her recent, historic accomplishments. She was named Division II Women's Diver of the Year after a national title sweep, winning both the one-meter and three-meter dive championships in Indianapolis. Her score of 542.55 in the three-meter dive didn't just win; it shattered both the school and national meet records. Despite her success, Luna is candid about the mental challenges of her sport. She still gets scared before some dives, but she relies on a strong support system, including her coaches and a sports psychologist. Her mental preparation for a dive is simple but powerful: "I just try to take a deep breath, remind myself that I've done this before and I'm capable of doing it again." She is a firm believer in the importance of time management, noting that it was initially difficult but that her coaches are very supportive, always reminding her that academics come first. Her advice to new students is to "get yourself out there" and to utilize all the resources available on campus. She encourages students to surround themselves with people who have the same goals and mentality because "at the end of the day, those people are going to become your family here." Luna Castellanos's story exemplifies PennWest's commitment to providing a supportive community that allows students to thrive. Her journey from international student to national champion showcases how PennWest helps students achieve their ambitions, fostering an environment where talent, dedication, and resiliency can lead to incredible success. Luna was recently featured on PennWest's Podcast, "The Power of PennWest." Listen to her story here.

When Sydney Cochran passes through the Natali Student Center on the PennWest California campus, she hopes students see someone they can approach.

Some students dip a toe into campus life. Bethany Morrow dove in. Morrow swore into the Army National Guard at 17, works weekend doubles as a CNA, mentors and tutors for PennWest Clarion's TRIO Upward Bound program, serves as an ambassador, and leads Clarion's Student Senate.

When JT Taylor's previous college unfortunately shut down, he was forced to find a new academic and athletic home. A native of Pittsburgh, he came to PennWest Edinboro as a transfer student from Notre Dame College. His first visit to the campus was all he needed to know he had found the right place.

When Ruthie Karsteter first visited Edinboro, something clicked, despite her initial reluctance to follow her older brother, Paige, who was already a senior on campus.

Eight students from PennWest's Finance and Personal Financial Planning program, led by professor Dr. Nan Li, participated in a professional development trip to Pittsburgh. During the two-day experience, PennWest students visited four leading financial firms in the region: Allegheny Financial Group, Beratung Advisors, Federated Hermes, and Fort Pitt Capital Group.

When PennWest Edinboro senior Hayden Stippich stepped onto the lanes in Chicago for the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour Trials, he wasn't just competing for pins - he was chasing a lifelong dream. With a commanding total pinfall of 10,917 (+1,317), the 24-year-old McKean, Pa., native captured the tournament title, earning full-time entry on the 2025 PBA Tour and eligibility for the PBA Elite League draft.

A group of PennWest University students had the chance to sharpen their professional skills and make meaningful employer connections during the 2025 CFA Society of Pittsburgh Career Fair, held Thursday, Sept. 11, at the Rivers Club in downtown Pittsburgh.

When PennWest Edinboro senior Taney Basinger steps into a studio or classroom, her energy and drive are immediately evident. Whether leading an animation project, mentoring new students, or curating social media content for a national landmark, Basinger embodies the qualities of a young leader on the rise. That dedication earned her recognition this fall as Edinboro's nominee for the ATHENA Young Professional Award. The award, an extension of the internationally renowned ATHENA Leadership Award, honors outstanding young college students who demonstrate both professional excellence and a commitment to serving their communities.

Congrats to the nearly 3,000 undergraduate students named to Pennsylvania Western University's Spring 2025 Dean's List. Degree-seeking undergraduate students who achieve high academic standards will be identified for placement on the Dean's List in accordance with the following criteria: The student must earn a minimum semester GPA of 3.40. The student must earn a minimum of 12 graded credits during the semester, not including credits by proficiency examinations, incomplete grades, temporary grades (e.g., Not Reported), or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades.

Congrats to over 3,000 undergraduate students named to Pennsylvania Western University's Fall 2024 Dean's List. Degree-seeking undergraduate students who achieve high academic standards will be identified for placement on the Dean's List in accordance with the following criteria: The student must earn a minimum semester GPA of 3.40. The student must earn a minimum of 12 graded credits during the semester, not including credits by proficiency examinations, incomplete grades, temporary grades (e.g., Not Reported), or satisfactory/unsatisfactory grades.

Five PennWest students gave oral presentations at the Duquesne-PennWest Conference on Global Bioethics, held at Duquesne University's campus in Pittsburgh from November 7-9.

With plans to attend law school after graduation, PennWest criminal justice major Jessica Ashworth was looking for ways to expand her resume and extend her learning experiences beyond the classroom. After a quick consultation with her advisor, criminal justice professor Dr. Kevin Courtright, Ashworth is now developing instructor materials for a book written by respected corrections veteran, author, correctional trainer and instructor Gary Cornelius.

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced its nominees for the 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year. Clarion alumna London Fuller (Baltimore, Md., Baltimore Polytechnic) was one of the conference's two nominees for the prestigious honor, joining Gannon's Sam Pirosko.