Meet the nsp Staff
DEVAN ZGLESZEWSKI, Ed.D.
Director of New Student Programs
She/Her/Hers
dzgleszewski@wcupa.edu
BIO
Dr. Devan K. Zgleszewski has been with the Office of New Student Programs since 2018. Prior to joining the New Student Programs team, she worked at The College of New Jersey in roles supporting student engagement, student organizations, fraternity and sorority life (where she is a sister of Alpha Chi Omega), transfer orientation, and welcome week. She is a first-generation college student and a triple alumni of West Chester University holding a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology, a Masters of Education in Higher Education Counseling, and a Doctorate of Education in Policy, Planning, and Administration. Dr. Zgleszewski's doctoral research centers around the sense of belonging of lower-income, first-generation college students. As the Director of New Student Programs, she offers strategic vision and oversight of all operations and programs. Dr. Zgleszewski enjoys working alongside the New Student Programs team and Orientation Leaders to welcome and onboard new Golden Rams and their families!
JENNIFER RUGGIERO-PATEL
Senior Associate Director of New Student Programs
She/Her/Hers
jruggiero-patel@wcupa.edu
BIO
Jennifer has been serving in the role of Associate Director for New Student Programs since January 2022. In this role she plans logistics for new student orientation as well as supervises undergraduate and graduate staff. Prior to her employment at WCU, Jennifer worked in new student orientation & welcome week programming at La Salle University and Goldey-Beacom College. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Monmouth University and a master’s in education from Rutgers University.
JAMES M. WRIGHT, JR.
Senior Associate Director of New Student Programs
He/Him/His
jwright2@wcupa.edu
BIO
James M. Wright Jr. is the Senior Associate Director of New Student Programs. He recently served as the Assistant Director, Parent & Family Engagement at the University of Delaware. As a NJ native, he holds an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Rowan University and a B.A. in Psychology from Stockton University. James has worked at various educational institutions throughout his professional career, with many of his previous work experiences in residence life and housing. James is passionate about helping students and families discover their purpose, which motivates and energizes him professionally. In his personal life, James enjoys expressing his artistry in various ways, such as cooking, professional photography, part-time podcasting, and traveling.
MARIA TURNER
Administrative Assistant
She/Her/Hers
mturner2@wcupa.edu
BIO
Maria has been working with New Student Programs since 2018. She currently serves in the role of Administrative Assistant. Maria has over 30 years of experience in administrative work and is studying to finish her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at WCU. Maria handles all inquiries that come into our office from students, families, staff, and faculty. She manages the budget, purchasing, payroll, and hiring processes for the New Student Programs orientation team. She assists with planning, logistics, orientation registration, reservations, and training of the orientation team and more. She loves animals, including her four cats and Golden Retriever puppy, Juno. Maria has been married for 24 years to her husband, Kevin, and they have two sons, Ethan, 21, and Ryan, 16. She is from West Chester, loves West Chester, and feels right at home working for WCU.
GRADUATE STAFF
Mary Taale
Graduate Intern, Summer 2024
BIO
Mary is a second-year graduate international student who’s enthusiastic about teamwork and collaboration. She enjoys engaging with students, giving them a feeling of belonging, and providing them with guidance and support to navigate their college experience.
Alexcis Hickman
Graduate Intern, Summer 2024
BIO
Alexcis is a second year student in the College Student Affairs program at Rutgers University - New Brunswick. During the academic year, Alexcis serves as an assistant residence life coordinator. As a professional, Alexcis is interested in working within Educational Opportunity Fund/Trio programs, New Student Programs, Pre-College Programs, or anything that supports first-generation college students and retention. She is excited to see how orientation operates behind the scenes as well as supporting the orientation leader team!
Andrew Rubas
Graduate Intern, Summer 2024
BIO
Andrew is going into his first year of graduate school and will be attending Villanova University pursuing a master's degree in Higher Education Leadership. Andrew attended West Chester University as an undergraduate student and this will be his third year on West Chester's orientation team, just in a different role. As an undergraduate student, he worked with the Student Activities Council, Sykes Student Union, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and, of course, New Student Programs. In the fall, he will be starting in his position as the Graduate Assistant for Campus Programming at Villanova. He is beyond excited to be returning to the orientation team for the third time and to use his knowledge and experience to support others!
Connor Delaney
Graduate Intern, Summer 2024
BIO
Connor is a current graduate student in the higher education policy and student affairs program at West Chester University. He is most passionate about undergraduate students' professional and interpersonal development and finding their sense of belonging on campus. He also works full time as an Assistant Director of Admissions.
2024 Undergraduate Orientation team
Undergraduate Coordinators
Nathan Castimore
Hometown: South Brunswick, NJ
4th Year
Major: Communication & Media
MORE ABOUT NATE
My favorite spot on campus:
Sykes
On campus, I'm involved in:
Resident Assistand in Tyson Hall, Head Route Setter Campus Rec
My advice for new Rams:
Be yourself.
Jewel Karaisz
Hometown: Kutztown, PA
4th Year
Major: Psychology
MORE ABOUT JEWEL
My favorite spot on campus:
Hollinger Field House
On campus, I'm involved in:
WCU men’s basketball manager, WCU track and field/cross country manager, Sykes Lead
Team Building Manager, The Secretary of the Abbé Society, Student Representative on
the Budget Review Committee, WCU Spirit Team
My advice for new Rams:
Get involved! West Chester has so many clubs and ways to get involved, I know you
will find something you connect with, but if you don’t, create your own club! Also,
utilize the student resources on campus. There are so many resources to help you with
classes, your physical and mental/emotional health, or financially! West Chester has
some amazing support systems for students, so use them when you can or need to!
Danielle Margarite
Hometown: West Chester, PA
4th Year
Major: Media & Culture
Minor: Digital Marketing
MORE ABOUT DANIELLE
My favorite spot on campus:
The Fountain
On campus, I'm involved in:
A Moment of Magic
University Theatre
WCU Spirit & Traditions
My advice for new Rams:
Get the most out of college - get involved! Go to random club meetings, find on-campus
jobs and run for exec board positions. Now is the time to explore your possible career
interests and hobbies!
Sarah Zeuke
Hometown: Morrisville, PA
4th Year
Major: Sociology
Minors: Interdisclipanary Minor in Sustainability and Resilience and Ethnic Studies
Minor
MORE ABOUT SARAH
My favorite spot on campus:
Sykes
On campus, I'm involved in:
Sustainability Council
NAMI on campus
Building Manager for Sykes Student Union
My advice to new Rams:
Put yourself out there! Everyone is new and in the same spot you are, you've got no
reason to be afraid--make new friends, experience new things, and learn a lot.
Returning Orientation Leaders
Danielle Ciliberto
Hometown: Ambler, PA
3rd Year
Major: Political Science
MORE ABOUT DANIELLE
My favorite spot on campus:
Academic Quad
On campus, I'm involved in:
Softball Team, FYE Peer Mentor
My advice to new Rams:
Don't be afraid to go outside your comfort zone!
Seamus Kearney
Hometown: Blue Bell, PA
4th Year
Major: Social Work
MORE ABOUT SEAMUS
My favorite spot on campus:
Chickie & Pete's
On campus, I'm involved in:
Phi Sigma Phi
My advice to new Rams:
Be yourself and also challenge yourself to try new things.
Haley Maher
Hometown: Garnet Valley, PA
3rd Year
Major: Mathematics Secondary Education
MORE ABOUT HALEY
My favorite spot on campus:
SECC
On campus, I'm involved in:
SPSEA, KDP, Art Association
My advice to new Rams:
Get involved and meet new people!
Nick Marino
Hometown: King of Prussia, PA
3rd Year
Major: Secondary Ed/K12 Health & PE
MORE ABOUT NICK
My favorite spot on campus:
The Library
On campus, I'm involved in:
RamTHON
Phi Sigma Pi
Friar's Society
Off Campus and Commuter Services
Wellness Promotion
My advice to new Rams:
Get involved and give it your all.
Alyssa McClintock
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA
4th Year
Major: Political Science/History
Minors: Holocaust Studies
MORE ABOUT ALYSSA
My favorite spot on campus:
Francis Harvey Green Library
On campus, I'm involved in:
Alpha Alpha Alpha, Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science DEI Board
My advice to new Rams:
Don't be afraid to ask questions or ashamed to ask for help!
Natalie Raynor
Hometown: Quakertown, PA
3rd Year
Major: Early Education
MORE ABOUT NATALIE
My favorite spot on campus:
Sykes Student Union
On campus, I'm involved in:
Student activity council, orientation leader, ASL club
My advice to new Rams:
Set high personal and academic standards for yourself, and live up to them.
Alexis Stakem
Hometown: Mechanicsburg, PA
3rd Year
Major: English
Minors: Social Work
MORE ABOUT ALEXIS
My favorite spot on campus:
Special Collections in the Francis Harvey Green Library. It's on the sixth floor!
On campus, I'm involved in:
The Quad
My advice to new Rams:
Getting involved is daunting on campus, but it's where I have made the best friends
and had incredible experiences. Definitely try to get involved on campus as there
is definitely something for you!
Dani Troia
Hometown: Tobyhanna, PA
3rd Year
Major: English
Minor: Creative Writing & Spanish
MORE ABOUT DANI
My favorite spot on campus:
Sykes 3rd floor
On campus, I'm involved in:
Sykes Union and Student Activities, Film and Media Society, Creative Writing Club,
Daedalus Literary Magazine, Gender Studies Club
My advice to new Rams:
Involve yourself with campus activities and culture!
Orientation Leaders
Nicole Anandan
Hometown: South Brunswick, NJ
3rd Year
Major: Public Health
Minor: Civic and Professional Leadership
MORE ABOUT NICOLE
My favorite spot on campus:
Academic Quad
On campus, I'm involved in:
Public Health Club, Honors College
My advice for new Rams:
Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone!
Sebastian Baak
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
3rd Year
Major: Music Therapy/Concentration Violin
MORE ABOUT SEBASTIAN
My favorite spot on campus:
Swope Music Library
On campus, I'm involved in:
Treasurer of the Music Therapy Club, Member of the Asian Student Association, Violin
in the WCU Symphony Orchestra
My advice for new Rams:
There is a group for everyone and you will find people who will accept you as you
are!
Grace Bruckhart
Hometown: Lewisburg, PA
2nd Year
Major: Kinesiology
Minor: Biology
MORE ABOUT GRACE
My favorite spot on campus:
Rec Center
On campus, I'm involved in:
Colleges Against Cancer Club, WCU Group Fitness, Orientation Leader
My advice for new Rams:
Find your community and what you love on campus! Meaningful experiences are what will
keep you here.
Riley Cassidy
Hometown: Pottsville, PA
3rd Year
Major: Psychology
Minor: Honors Seminar Pathway
MORE ABOUT RILEY
My favorite spot on campus:
Outdoor Classroom
On campus, I'm involved in:
Resident Assistant in Tyson Hall, Peer Mentor Psychology Living Learning Community,
Psychology Club, Outdoors Club
My advice for new Rams:
Don't be afraid to try new things just because you've never done it before- college
is meant for growing!
Nay Cooper
Hometown: Philadephia, PA
4th Year
Major: Psychology
MORE ABOUT NAY
My favorite spot on campus:
Presser Music Library
On campus, I'm involved in:
RA, Library Assistant, Psych Mentor, OL, PsyChi
My advice for new Rams:
Spark conversations with new people, you never know what you can learn.
Kyra Ford
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
3rd Year
Major: Micorbiology
MORE ABOUT KYRA
My favorite spot on campus:
Outdoor Classrom/Garden Space
On campus, I'm involved in:
Orientation Leader, Kpop Club, Darlington Biology Society, Microbiology Club
My advice for new Rams:
Take things semester by semester and make the most of your experience!
Sofia Gonzalez
Hometown: Allentown, PA
1st Year
Major: Psychology
Minor: Spanish
MORE ABOUT SOFIA
My favorite spot on campus:
Sykes
On campus, I'm involved in:
Psychology Club, First Gen Rams, Women in Science, Orientation Leader
My advice for new Rams:
Don't be nervous to start conversations with people in your classes. Everyone is nervous
too!
Alicia Greene
Hometown: Harrisburg, PA
3rd Year
Major: Data Analytics
Minor: Japanese
MORE ABOUT ALICIA
My favorite spot on campus:
Ram Park
On campus, I'm involved in:
Running Club, Orientation Leader, National Council of Negro Women
My advice for new Rams:
Put yourself out there and meet new friends! Share your expierences and be open to
learn about others as well!
Abby Hart
Hometown: Hershey, PA
3rd Year
Major: Biology Secondary Ed
MORE ABOUT ABBY
My favorite spot on campus:
SECC Learning Steps
On campus, I'm involved in:
Wellness Promotion Peer Educator, Resident Assistant, Outdoors Club
My advice for new Rams:
Get involved on campus whether in clubs or through an on campus job because you can
make a ton of connections both socially and professionally by doing it.
Fran Hernandez-Cabrera
Hometown: Santiago, Dominican Republic
2nd Year
Major: Psychology
Minor: Arts
MORE ABOUT FRAN
My favorite spot on campus:
Commuters Lounge
On campus, I'm involved in:
Orientation Leader
My advice for new Rams:
Talk to people to mke connections
JJ Johnson
Hometown: Conshohocken, PA
3rd Year
Major: Middle Grade Prep
Minor: Mathematics
MORE ABOUT JJ
My favorite spot on campus:
OWP Office
On campus, I'm involved in:
Orientation Leader, Peer Coordinator(Office of Wellness)
My advice for new Rams:
Don't be afraid to join different orginzations and talk to new people.
Salea Lawson
Hometown: Coatesville, PA
2nd Year
Major: Marketing
MORE ABOUT SALEA
My favorite spot on campus:
Dowdy Multicultural Center (DMC)
On campus, I'm involved in:
Black Student Union (BSU), 1st Gen Rams
My advice for new Rams:
Do not feel like you need to make friends immediately. Sit back and take your time.
Kaitlin Oberdoerster
Hometown: West Grove, PA
2nd Year
Major: Secondary English Ed
Minor: Sp. Ed
MORE ABOUT KAITLIN
My favorite spot on campus:
FHG Library
On campus, I'm involved in:
National Council of Teachers of English / Creative Writing Club
My advice for new Rams:
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and try new things!
Irene Okonkwo
Hometown: Nigeria
2nd Year
Major: Nutrition: Dietetics
MORE ABOUT IRENE
My favorite spot on campus:
Sykes
On campus, I'm involved in:
African student association, Poesis, Wahala african dance team, association for women
empowerment
My advice for new Rams:
Try and go to events and join organizations, also take time out for yourself.
Kadi Sore
Hometown: Upper Darby, PA
2nd Year
Major: Public Health
MORE ABOUT KADI
My favorite spot on campus:
Hollinger Field House
On campus, I'm involved in:
AFRISA(Fundrasing Chair) Horn of Africa (SGA Rep)
My advice for new Rams:
Try new things, make as many memories as you can.
Michael Stefanowicz
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
1st Year
Major: International Business
Minor: Civic and Professional Leadership
MORE ABOUT MICHAEL
My favorite spot on campus:
Sykes
On campus, I'm involved in:
Astronomy Club
My advice for new Rams:
Find a balance between academics and fun!
Shy Whitaker-Kelly
Hometown: Mt Airy, PA
2nd Year
Major: Respitory Care
MORE ABOUT SHY
My favorite spot on campus:
Sykes
On campus, I'm involved in:
Resident Assistant Tyson Hall, Desk Assistant Tyson Hall, Poesis Community Service
Chair
My advice for new Rams:
Attend organzation events on campus and be your self !
Caleb Winters
Hometown: Abington, PA
1st Year
Major: Political Science
MORE ABOUT CALEB
My favorite spot on campus:
Sykes
On campus, I'm involved in:
Parliamentarian Student Government
My advice for new Rams:
Stay calm
Spanish Interpreters
Rachel Beatty
Hometown: West Chester, PA
4th Year
Major: Spanish: Languages & Cultures
Minor: Italian and Linguistics
MORE ABOUT RACHEL
My favorite spot on campus:
SECC
On campus, I'm involved in:
Spanish Club Pres and a sister of ASA
My advice for new Rams:
Never let anyone or situation change your positive attitude!
Princesa Villalucio
Hometown: Coatesville, PA
1st Year
Major: Political Science & Int'l Relations
Minor: Russian and Law, Politics, and Society
MORE ABOUT PRINCESA
My favorite spot on campus:
Skyes and Library
On campus, I'm involved in:
Russian Cultures Club, Mock Trial Club, Pre-Law Society
My advice for new Rams:
Be fun and respectful, talk to everyone its okay if they don't talk to you back.