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.
Email Us
Find your undergraduate admissions counselor in the list below and send an email with your questions or simply to say hello. The admissions counselor for transfer students is Kevin Eggleston.
Shauna Balog
Email: balog@pennwest.edu
Phone: 724-938-5089
Territory
Merit Scholarships and High School Early Admit Program
Advice to prospective students
Enjoy your college experience. Learn and explore areas of interest. Get involved - continuous engagement will open doors to opportunity.
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
In my time away from PennWest California, I appreciate spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy vacationing, bowling, and watching my daughters play basketball and compete in competitive cheer competitions.
Hometown:
Perryopolis, Pa.
Education
A.S. in Business Management and B.A. in Liberal Studies
What do you like best about PennWest California?
The PennWest California campus is friendly, relaxing, and beautiful.
Barry Bilitski
Assistant Director
Email: bilitski_b@pennwest.edu
Phone: 724-938-4963
Text: 724-426-7040
Territory
Fayette and Greene Counties
Advice to prospective students
Be proactive and get involved.
What do you do when you are not at PennWest California?
I enjoy spending time with my family. We enjoy hiking, biking and boating.
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
Email: tarpley@pennwest.edu
Phone: 724-938-5920
Text: 724-426-7045
Territory
Allegheny County and Philadelphia
Advice to prospective students
Work on your time management skills. Time management is one of the best traits that will help you succeed in college.
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. I spend a lot of time in my role as associate pastor at Nazareth Baptist Church.
Hometown
Washington, Pa.
What do you like best about PennWest California?
The friendly environment. The opportunity to use personal skills for professional growth.
Amanda Magdic
Associate Director
Email: magdic@pennwest.edu
Phone: 724-938-4295
Text: 724-426-7025
Territory
Northern Allegheny county, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield,
Clinton, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forrest, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lycoming, McKean,
Mercer, Potter, Tioga, Venango, and Warren Counties. Ohio, New York and Western United
States.
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.
I love spending time with my family and friends above all else. I am blessed to live in small town in Westmoreland County where I can be outside enjoying the woods and water. 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
Ligonier, Pa.
Education
Ligonier Valley HS 1996, 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 in to the classroom. Not only do they serve as teachers, but they'e also mentors to PennWest California students. This relationship is crucial to the success of any college student.