Undergraduate Admissions Counselors
Get personal support and expert advice on applying to PennWest California.
Applying to college is an exciting time in your life, and it's also a time when many questions arise. PennWest California's undergraduate admissions counselors are always accessible and ready to assist you. We're eager to help you get to know PennWest California and walk you step by step through the application process.
There are many ways to get in touch with our undergraduate admissions counselors:
Visit Us on Campus
We're located in 201 Dixon Hall, right in the center of campus. Stop by and say hello during our office hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Or schedule a campus visit.
Call Us
Phone us anytime at 724-938-4404 or toll-free at 1-888-412-0479. Our fax number is 724-938-4564. If you are a transfer student, call the Transfer Evaluation Office at 724-938-5939.
Melissa Gigliotti Sobek
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Transfer Admissions
Email: sobek@pennwest.edu
Phone: 724-938-5089
Territory
Out-of-state transfer students and military.
Advice to prospective students
Take care of yourself-Don’t forget to prioritize self-care, whether it’s through exercise, mindfulness, or taking time to relax.
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
Spending time with my family, friends and two cats, Cedar and Ash. I’m also a foodie and like to venture off to new places in/around the surrounding area.
Hometown:
Belle Vernon, PA.
Education
B.S. in Communication Studies with a minor in Journalism from Indiana University of PA. Master of Education from PennWest California.
What do you like best about PennWest California?
PennWest California provides a platform for individuals to learn, grow, and cultivate their knowledge. It offers many opportunities to explore various fields of study and to engage with a diverse group of people.
Barry Bilitski
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Email: bilitski_b@pennwest.edu
Phone: 724-938-4963
Text: 724-426-7040
Territory
Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Somerset, and Washington
Advice to prospective students
Be proactive and get involved and seek help when you need it.
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
I enjoy spending time with my family. We enjoy hiking, biking and traveling.
Hometown:
Roscoe, Pa.
Education
B.S. in Business Administration and a M.B.A from Waynesburg University; Masters in Counseling from PennWest California.
What do you like best about PennWest California?
I enjoy the friendly atmosphere on campus.
Eric Tarpley
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Email: tarpley@pennwest.edu
Phone: 724-938-5920
Text: 724-426-5450
Territory
Allegheny, Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties and Philadelphia
Advice to prospective students
Work on your time management and study skills. Time management is one of the skills which will help you succeed in life, college, and beyond college. This will help you be on time in attending class and turning in assignments. For study skills, learn look for more information. Don’t ignore recommended reading by your professors and stick to textbooks only. This information will be useful in class discussions, exams, and writing assignments.
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
In my time away from the office I am a husband, father and grandfather. My family is everything to me and time with them is what makes me happy. I spend a lot of time in my calling as the Pastor of Nazareth Baptist Church.
Hometown
Washington, Pa.
What do you like best about PennWest California?
The friendly environment. The opportunity to work with students beyond enrollment. I love to serve in a capacity which fosters retention of students to earn their degrees and beyond. It is about building relationships. The ability to use personal skills and traits that are beneficial to the entire PennWest community.
Amanda Miller
Acting Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Email: miller_am@pennwest.edu
Phone: 724-938-4404
Advice to prospective students
Plan ahead and have fun! Don't wait until your senior year of high school to plan for your college career. Start going to college fairs your sophomore year to see what is out there. Not only will this result in less stressful junior and senior years, it will get you excited and motivate you to do your best in high school.
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
I love spending time with my family and friends above all else. I always make sure I get to see the ocean at least once a year to enjoy some blue crab picking, fishing, and searching for sea glass.
Hometown
Canonsburg, PA
Education
Ligonier Valley HS, B.A. in Psychology from The College of Wooster, M.S. in Community and Agency Counseling from PennWest California.
What do you like best about PennWest California?
Our faculty are bar none. They have all worked in the field that they teach, so they bring real-life experience into the classroom. Not only do they serve as teachers, but they’re also mentors to PennWest California students. This relationship is crucial to the success of any college student.
Kristen Louttit
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Transfer Admissions
Email: louttit@pennwest.edu
Phone: 724-938-4404
Text: 724-204-5598
Territory
Transfer Students
Advice to prospective students
Pick a club or organization not related to your major to join, and introduce yourself to your advisor the first few weeks of class so that when you have questions they know you and you know where to find them!
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
I spend my time with my husband and son, and I love to travel but don’t get to as much as I’d like!
Hometown
California, Pa.
Education
B.A. History; M.A.T. Secondary Education, Social Studies; M.B.A., Applied Economics
What do you like best about PennWest California?
I love our campus and had the best time here as a student. The staff and faculty are always friendly and truly love helping students.
Andrew Conlogue
Director of International Admissions
Email: conlogue@pennwest.edu
Phone:724-938-5080
WhatsApp: 724-204-5163
Territory
International
Advice to prospective students
Don’t be afraid to ask us anything you want to know about. We’re here to help.
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
I love to travel.
Hometown
Sierra Vista, AZ
Education
Bachelor’s in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law (PPEL) at UArizona, Master’s in International Security Studies at UArizona
What do you like best about PennWest California?
The people! PennWest California has the best students, faculty and staff.
Ayla Stopko
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Email: stopko_a@pennwest.edu
Phone: (724) 948-1264 X 4954
Territory
Central Pennsylvania, Virgina, Maryland, and MidWestern States
Advice to prospective students
Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and never forget why you started!
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
In my time away from PennWest California, I find pleasure in spending time with my friends and family most of all! I love watching movies, boating, and adoring my cat, Willie.
Hometown
Fredericktown, Pa.
Education
B.S. in Psychology at Pennsylvania Western University
What do you like best about PennWest California?
I appreciate the opportunity to meet so many amazing people through our community and the ability to work with such ambitious students. I enjoy being surrounded by people who strive to be their best every day!
Shannon Ortosky
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Email: ortosky_s@pennwest.edu
Phone: 724-938-1639
Text: 724-248-1106
Territory
Lancaster, Lebanon, Schuylkill, Berks, Lehigh, Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, and
Bucks County
Advice to prospective students
Get involved on campus and do not be afraid to ask for help. It is crucial to advocate for yourself.
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
I spend most of my time with family and friends. I also enjoy exploring local coffee shops and traveling.
Hometown
Richeyville, PA.
Education
A.S. in Technical Studies and a B.S.ED in Secondary Education: Mathematics from California University of Pennsylvania (PennWest California) and an M.B.A with a concentration in Integrated Marketing from Waynesburg University.
What do you like best about PennWest California?
I enjoy the sense of community. Everyone on campus is so friendly and upbeat. This campus truly feels like home.
Karen Iverson
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Email: iverson_k@pennwest.edu
Phone:724-938-1626
Text:724-294-5341
Territory
Welcome Center, Admissions Events Coordinator
Advice to prospective students
Be comfortable being yourself. It’s okay to ask for help. Get involved and try new activities!
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
I love being with my family! I love crafting, spending time outdoors and traveling!
Hometown
Greensburg, Pa.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Disorders from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in Communication Disorders from California University of Pennsylvania.
What do you like best about PennWest California?
I admire how PennWest celebrates and fosters spaces of belonging, respect, and individuality!