Graduate Admissions Counselors and Coordinators

Get personal support and expert advice on applying to PennWest California as a graduate student.

Entering into the world of graduate studies is a big step. We're here to support you during this exciting time in your life. Our graduate admissions counselors and coordinators are eager to help you get to know PennWest California and walk you step by step through the application process.

Get expert advice and personal attention whether you're planning to start a traditional on-campus graduate program or are joining our Global Online community.

There are many ways to get in touch with our graduate admissions teams. 

Grad and Online admissions team. From left to right: Kristen, Peggy, Kristy, Devon, Lynne, Randi, Nikki

The Graduate Admissions Office

  • Visit us on campus at Eberly Hall, Room 202B; office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 
  • Call us with general questions at 724-938-4187.
  • Call us with questions specific to your admissions application at 724-938-5259 or 724-938-5261.
  • Email us at GradAdmissions@pennwest.edu
  • Send us an online information request.

The Global Online Office

For answers to all of your questions about Global Online program selection, applying, course sequences, course registration or changes to registration, financial aid or student accounts:

Attend a monthly Virtual Information Session

Connect with Graduate Admissions Counselors, faculty and other prospective students during one of our Virtual Information Sessions.

Admissions Contacts and Program Coordinators

Admissions Contacts


Yugo Ikach

Dean School of Graduate Studies and Research
ikach@pennwest.edu
724-938-1589

Ben Brudnock
Director of Graduate Admissions
brudnock@pennwest.edu
724-938-4725

Kristy DeBord
Assistant Director
debord@pennwest.edu
724-938-5958
1-866-595-6348

Peggy McGarry
Assistant Director
mcgarry@pennwest.edu
724-938-5958
1-866-595-6348 

Kristen Wagner, Ph.D.
Assistant Director
Wagner_k@pennwest.edu
724-938-5958
1-866-595-6348

Devon Markish
Assistant Director
markish@pennwest.edu
724-938-4912
1-866-595-6348

Nikki Popielarcheck
Assistant Director
popielarcheck@pennwest.edu
724-938-5490
1-866-595-6348

Lynne Berdar
Management Technician
berdar@pennwest.edu
724-938-5261
1-866-595-6348 

Adam Stairs
Applications Developer
stairs@pennwest.edu
724-938-4917
1-866-595-6348

Randi J. Quattro
Clerk Typist II
quattro@pennwest.edu
724-938-5259
1-866-595-6348 

Program Coordinator Contacts

Questions About an Academic Program? 

If you have specific academic questions related to a particular graduate program, we encourage you to email the program coordinator. You can search for your program in the list below.

Program

Award

Coordinator

Delivery Mode

Accounting (M.Acc.) 

Master's

Dr. Josh Chicarelli 

100% Online (Global Online)

Addictive Disorders

Certificate

Jacob Wheatley

100% Online (Global Online)

Administrative Program for Principals

Master's, Certification

Dr. Silvia Braidic

100% Online (Global Online)

Advanced Studies in Secondary Education

Master's

Dr. Connie Monroe

100% Online (Global Online)

Applied Math

Professional Science Master's

Dr. Bismark Oduro

100% Online (Global Online)

Arabic Language & Linguistics

Master's

Dr. Razak Surrey

100% Online (Global Online)

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Certificate, Certification

Dr. Jason Kight

Online

Business Administration

Master's

Dr. Stephanie Adam

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Master's

Robert Mehalik

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

Communication Disorders

Master's

Dr. Nancy Carlino

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

Conflict Resolution Studies

Master's

Dr. Beverly Ross

100% Online (Global Online)

Counseling

Licensure

Dr. Elizabeth Gruber

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

Criminal Justice

Doctorate

Dr. John Cencich

100% Online (Global Online)

Criminal Justice Studies (formerly Applied Criminology)

 Master's

Dr. Christopher Wydra

100% Online (Global Online)

Cybersecurity

Professional Science Master's

Dr. Weifeng Chen

100% Online (Global Online)

Early Childhood Education

Master's, Certification

Dr. Michael Ulderich

100% Online (Global Online)

Education Administration & Leadership Doctorate

Doctorate

Dr. Silvia Braidic

100% Online (Global Online)

Elementary Education Pre-K-4

Master's, Certification

Dr. Michael Ulderich

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

English as a Second Language

Master's, Certification

Dr. Susan Morris-Rutledge

100% Online (Global Online)

Exercise Science and Health Promotion

Master's, Certificate

Dr. Barry McGlumphy

100% Online (Global Online)

Health Science and Exercise Leadership

Doctor of Health Science

Dr. Marc Federico

Online with on-campus dissertation meeting

Integrative STEM Education

 Master's

Dr. Diane Fine

100% Online (Global Online)

Legal Studies

Master's

Dr. Christina Toras

100% Online (Global Online)

MAT (Masters of Arts Teaching) - Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communications, Earth Science, English, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, Spanish

Master's, Certification

Dr. Marcia Hoover

Online except for student teaching / field experience

Nursing Administration and Leadership

Master's

Dr. Nicole Evanick

100% Online (Global Online)

Reading Specialist

Master's, Certification

Dr. Diane Fine

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

School Counseling

Master's, Certification

Dr. Elizabeth Gruber

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

School Psychology

Master's, Certification

Dr. Angela Bloomquist

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

Social Work

Master's

Dr. T.Thao Pham

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

Special Education

Master's, Certification

Dr. Jason Kight

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Counseling

Certificate

Jacob Wheatley

100% Online (Global Online)

Sports Counseling and Student Athlete Mental Wellness

Certificate

Jacob Wheatley

100% Online (Global Online)

Sport Management

Master's, Certificate

Dr. Robert Taylor

100% Online (Global Online)

Student Affairs Practice

Certificate

Jacob Wheatley

Traditional, face-to-face with some online

Superintendent Letter of Eligibility

Certification

Dr. Silvia Braidic

100% Online (Global Online)

Technology Education

Master's

Dr. Rene Kruse

100% Online (Global Online)