Meet Our Team
Robert Prah
Director, Office of Veteran's Affairs
G-35, Carter Hall
(724) 938-4076
My name is Robert Prah and I am the Director of Veteran's Affairs at California University of Pennsylvania. I have served as the Director of Veteran's Affairs since 2007. I have over 5 years experience in working with Veterans education programs. In addition to serving as the Director, I serve with various community organizations such as the American Legion, Student Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America and several others. On campus, I serve as the Veterans Club Advisor as well as the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity campus advisor. I am also an Infantry Company Commander in Company D, 112th Infantry (Anti-tank) in Hamburg, Pa, as part of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. I have served in the Army National Guard for over 10 years and have experience in the Intelligence community as well as the Infantry. My latest deployment was with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Iraq in 2008-2009. I currently reside near California, Pa with my wife. I look forward to working with you during your time at California University of Pennsylvania. Please do not hesitate to contact me anytime. prah@calu.edu
Meet the rest of our team for the Spring 2012 semester -
Kaitlin Kachonik
Office of Veteran's Affairs Graduate Assistant
(724) 938-4076
My name is Kaitlin Kachonik, and I am currently serving as the Office of Veterans Affairs Graduate Assistant for California University of Pennsylvania. I am from Blairsville, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Blairsville Senior High School. I received my Bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders from California University of Pennsylvania in the summer of 2011, and shortly after, I began graduate school in August 2011. During my time at California University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate student, I worked in the Office of Career Services from 2009-2011 under the direction of Rhonda Gifford and Gene Sutton. This is my first semester as the Veterans Affairs Graduate Assistant and I look forward to supporting and assisting all California University of Pennsylvania Veterans. Please do not hesitate to contact me at anytime - KAC2549@calu.edu.
Zachary Anderson (Army Reserve)
Veteran's Club member & Senior Veteran's Affairs Work Study Student
(724) 938-4076
My name is Zach Anderson and I am currently a senior at California University of Pennsylvania. My main focus of study is Communications Television and Radio production with a minor in marketing. I am from Jeanette, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Penn Trafford High School. Back in 2004, I joined the Army Reserves as a Combat Engineer and was assigned to the 420th Route Clearance Company in Indiana, Pa. In addition to my unit here in Pennsylvania, while I was deployed I was attached to and served with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom at FOB Salerno, Afghanistan from 2006 to 2007. Currently I am a Sergeant and in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR). I currently serve as the Cal U Vet's Club President, an active Brother in Theta Xi Fraternity, College Republicans members, Ski Club, and also a member of the California Area American Legion Post 377. This is my first semester as a Veterans Affairs work study; I look forward to assisting other military Veterans at Cal U of Pa.
Joseph Bryan (Army)
Veteran's Club Vice-President & Veteran's Affairs Work Study Student
(724) 938-4076
My name is Joseph Bryan and I am currently a freshman at California University of Pennsylvania. I am a Communications Major with a special emphasis in Television and Radio Production. I am a medically retired United States Staff Sergeant. Some of my duty stations include Fort Irwin, CA; Fort Campbell, KY; Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Army R.O.T.C.; Fort Lewis, WA; and Fort Polk, LA. I served at Camp Victory, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from July 2007 through October 2008. Some of my duty assignments have been Supply Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Equal Opportunity Leader, Unit Victim Advocate and Senior Logistics NCO. I am 34 years old and am married with 3 children. I am a member of American Legion Post 790 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 167. This is my first semester as a Veterans Affairs work study student and I look forward to supporting and assisting all California University of Pennsylvania Veterans.
Amanda Williams (Army)
Veteran's Club Member, Veteran's Affairs Work Study Student
(724) 938-4076
My name is Amanda Williams and I am currently a senior at California University of Pennsylvania. I have an associate degree in Criminology from Butler County Community College and I will graduate in December 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Justice Studies with a concentration in Forensic Science. I am from Sarver, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Freeport Area Senior High School. I joined the Army my senior year of high school and served five years active duty as Military Police from 2000-2005. I was stationed at Camp Hialeah Busan South Korea, Ft. Detrick MD and in 2007 I was recalled to serve a tour in Iraq from 2007-2008. I was attached to the 275th D.C. National Guard and stationed at FOB Summerall, Bayji, Iraq where we conducted police transition teams. I am currently a member of the Veterans Club, Criminal Justice Club, Forensic Science Club and the Lions Club. this is my first semester as a Veterans Affairs work study student and I am looking forward to assisting other California University of Pennsylvania Veterans.
Geoffrey Wysocki (Marine Corps)
Veteran's Club Member and Senior Veteran's Affairs Work Study Student
(724) 938-4076
My name is Geoffrey Wysocki and I am currently a senior at California University of Pennsylvania. I am originally from Glen Dale, WV where I attended John Marshall High. Upon graduating in 2002, I attended CCAC and Fairmont State before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 2006. I was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA with 1st ANGLICO as a Field Radio Operator. I deployed to Iraq in 2008 and was part of a small detachment on the 11th MEU in 2009. In 2010, I was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant and started at Cal U in the Spring of 2011. I am expecting to graduate in May 2012 with a Bachelor of Science & Technology degree. I look forward to helping other Veterans here at Cal U.
Joe DiMascio (Army)
Veteran's Club Member and Sophomore Veteran's Affairs Work Study Student
(724) 938-4076
My name is Joseph DiMascio and I am currently a sophomore at Calfornia University of Pennsylvania. I am currently enrolled in the History program. I am originally from Monessen, Pa and am a 2002 Alumnus of Greensburg Central Catholic High School in Greensburg, Pa. I joined the United States Army as soon as I graduated. I have served with 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, 16th Cavalry Regiment and 7th Cavalry. I have been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from April 2003 until July 2004. I served a total of 6 and half years of active duty with the Army and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. I have also attended the Warrior Leaders Course, Unit Prevention Leader's Course and Javelin Operator and Instructor Course. I currently reside in Monessen and will graduate in 2014 with a Bachelors Degree in History. I look forward to assisting other incoming Veterans at Cal U.
Brittney Cassidy (Army National Guard)
Veteran's Club Member and Sophomore Veteran's Affairs Work Study Student
(724) 938-4076
My name is Brittney Cassidy and I am currently a sophomore at California University of Pennsylvania. I am studying Communication Disorders. I am originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania and I graduated from Ferndale Area Jr. / Sr. High School in 2006. During my junior year in high school, I joined the PA Army National Guard. I have served in the 1/104th ARB in Johnstown. In February 2009, I deployed to Tallil, Iraq as an attachment with the 628th ASB. I currently hold the rank of Specialist. I have worked as a Veterans Affairs work study student for two semesters. I currently reside in Charleroi, Pa. I will graduate in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders. I am looking forward to working with other Veterans who will be new to Cal U this year.
Brian Joseph (Marine Corps)
Veteran's Club Member & Sophomore Veteran's Affairs Work Study Student
(724) 938-4076
Hello, my name is Lee Means, Jr. I'm currently a sophomore at California University of Pennsylvania. I am enrolled in the Social Work program at Cal U's main campus. I'm a high school graduate of Brownsville Area Senior High School. After graduation, I enlisted in hte Marine Corps. During my 8 years of service, I have been stationed at Marine Corps Air Beaufort, S.C.; Parris Island, S.C.; and Camp Lejeune, N.C. I have been deployed to the Al Anbar province in Iraq from 2007 to mid 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Helmand province in Afghanistan in 2009 for Operation Enduring Freedom. I was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. While on active duty, I attended several schools such as foreign weapon instructor course, non-lethal weapon instructor and basic arabic language skills. I will be graduating in 2014 with a B.S. Social Work. I currently live in Adah, Pa. I look forward to assisting future Veterans planning to attend Cal U.
Michael Virgin (Marine Corps)
Veteran's Club Member, Sophomore Veteran's Affairs Work Study Student and Fall 2011 Veteran's Club Public Relations Officer
(724) 938-4076
My name is Michael Virgin and I am a sophomore at California University of Pennsylvania. I am enrolled in the Justice Studies program with a concentration in Corporate and Homeland Security. I grew up in McKees Rocks, Pa, and went to Sto-Rox High School. After graduating in 2006, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. As an Infantryman, I was assigned to 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division out of Kaneohe, Hawaii. In 2008 I deployed to the Al Anbar Province in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and in 2009 I deployed to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I was honorably discharged in October 2010 as a Corporal. While enlisted, I attended many schools including, but not limited to: Key Leadership Schools, Foreign Weapons, Arabic and Postune language schools and Tactical Site Exploitation Schools. Hopefully I will graduate by the end of 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies with a concentration in Corporate and Homeland Security. I currently live near Donora, Pennsylvania and look forward to assisting other Veterans here at Cal U.
