The Honors College

at West Chester University

Dr. Kevin Dean, Director
703 S. High Street
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2996
Fax: 610-436-2620
Honors@wcupa.edu


Honors Student Association Executive Board

Exec-Board-2012
b.l. Michael Jendzurski, Grant Hubbard, Daniel VanHassent,
f. l. Amy Millar, Brianna Plaxe , Christine Klingaman ,

President (Member of the Honors Council)

Daniel VanHassent (HC XII) is a third year History Major with Teaching Certification from Annapolis, Maryland. In addition to his involvement with the Honors Student Association, Daniel is a University Ambassador and a member of the WCU Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band. Daniel traveled to South Africa in May 2012 to conduct research regarding the hopes and dreams of South African children and to volunteer at H.E.L.P. Ministries Soup Kitchen in Cape Town. Daniel is looking forward to traveling to Russia in May 2013 with a delegation of Honors College students as well as West Chester University’s President, Dr. Gregory Weisenstien. This is Daniel’s second position on the Executive Board in two years, and he is excited to continue to serve the members of HSA. Daniel hopes to increase involvement within the organization and make the WCU campus more aware of HSA.

 

 

First Vice President

Amy Millar is a third year Middle Grades Preparation major with a Communication Studies minor from Hatfield, PA. Within the Honors Student Association, she has served as the Community Service Chair and worked with many of the wonderful committees, including Dance for a Chance, Recruitment, Community and Curriculum, and Aid to South Africa. Around campus, she is also involved with the Orientation Leaders, the Learning Assistance Resource Center, the West Chester Collegiate Middle Level Association, and the West Chester Dance Team. As the Vice President of HSA   this year, she hopes to provide opportunities that enrich students' experiences just as HSA has provided for her. She also hopes to create a welcoming environment for all members and continue to serve the West Chester community.  

Second Vice President

Christine Klingaman (HCXII) is a third year Chem-Bio major with a French minor.  In addition to her involvement with HSA, Christine is works as a tutor at the LARC, is a member of the Pre-Med club and serves as treasurer of the French Club. She has served on multiple HSA committees in the past and travelled to South Africa with the Honors College in May 2012.  As vice president, Christine looks forward to supporting the executive board in serving the HSA general assembly, as well as making a difference in the WCU community!

 

Treasurer

Grant Hubbard is a third year Chem-Bio major with a minor in History. Furthering his leadership experience, Grant also serves as president of the Pre-Medical Club on campus. In addition to HSA's community service events such as Adopt-A-Block and Aid to South Africa, Grant donates his time volunteering at blood drives in the local area. He has served on several of HSA's committees in the past and is now excited to further his involvement with HSA in the Treasurer position. Grant hopes to create more opporunities for HSA's members and foster increased coordination between HSA and other organizations on campus.

 

Secretary

Brianna Plaxe is a second year Middle Grades Preparation major with concentrations in language arts, social studies and mathematics. In addition to her involvement with HSA, Brianna is a member of the West Chester Association for the Education of Young Children (WCAEYC) and tutors ADP Public Speaking at the LARC.  In the past, she has attended many HSA-sponsored events and service projects. This is Brianna’s first year on the executive board. As secretary, she looks forward to getting to know the members and keeping everyone updated on upcoming HSA events!

 

Immediate Past President (Orientation Facilitator, Member of the Honors Council)

Michael Jendzurski (HC XI) of Oaks, PA,  is a fourth year Kinesiology-Exercise Science major with a minor in Communication Studies.  Michael, the 2011-2012 President of the Honors Student Association, led the organization to its first ever "WCU Community Service Leader Award," a recognition presented by the Department of Student Affairs for outstanding community service by a campus-affiliated group.  Michael's roles for the HSA this year include presiding and guiding decisions of the organization; serving as a liaison between committee chairs and the executive board; and meeting with the freshmen class for goal assessments as they transition from high school dependence to collegiate independence as the Honors College Involvement Coordinator.  This is Michael's 3rd year on the HSA Executive Board and he is focused to maintain the integrity and sustainability of the organization that has offered him so much.

 

Michael also engages the campus as the President of Omicron Delta Kappa: The National Leadership Honor Society, a Level I Tutor of Calculus for the Learning and Resources Center, and a teammate on the WCU Ultimate Frisbee team.  Michael is also a 3-time delegate instrumental in performing research and service for local philanthropies and universities in South Africa.

 

Honors Student Association Committee Chairs

Aid to South Africa

Victoria Ravenelle is a 4th year Liberal Studies major, with minors in Biology, Health, and Communication Studies. She hopes to refine Aid to South Africa to become a smoother and more simplified process. One goal is to shorten the event, as well as organize it in such a way as to make it easier and less stressful for the chairs and their committees. She also wants to re-evaluate ASA's true purpose and vision, and make decisions based on them. Hopefully, ASA can become an even stronger and more sustainable organization by the end of the year!

 

Alumni

Elizabeth Sherman is a third year Exercise Science-Pre Occupational Therapy major in the Honors Core Program.  This year the Alumni Committee hopes to maintain accurate and updated records of the database as it is a valuable tool in connection and networking with previous honors students.  In addition to updating the database, the Alumni Committee hopes to develop an application process for a shadowing pogram between Honors students and alumni, and to promote alumni attendance at Aid to South Africa.

 

Alumni Database

Skye Hisiro is a third year Early Grades Prep major with a minors in Reading and Communication Studies. On campus, Skye is involved with Student Government Association and AmeriCorps, in addition to tutoring MAT 101-102 at the Learning Assistance and Resource Center. As this year's Alumni Database Coordinator, Skye plans to continue updating the database regularly in order to maintain HSA and Alumni relations. With the help of the Alumni Committee, she is also looking into creating social events and receptions exclusively for Alumni members!

 

Awards & Recognition

Marissa Caldwell is a second year student dual majoring in French Education and English Literature Education, with a minor in Linguistics.  In addition to being involved with HSA, she is the Service Chair for Circle K, a director for “Dance for a Chance,” a charity dance marathon, and an Academic Development Program tutor at the Learning Assistance and Resource Center.  Marissa hopes to be able to expand the Awards and Recognition committee’s tasks to include recognizing student members of HSA while continuing to expand on and improve the ongoing work.  She will also be planning and running the Outstanding Faculty Reception, held in the spring.

 

Buddy Coordinator

Jenn Matuza is a sophomore Early Grades Preparation major. In addition to her involvement with HSA, Jenn is a member of the West Chester Association for the Education of Young Children (WCAEYC) and serves as the Team Development Chair for Colleges Against Cancer (CAC). Jenn also enjoys playing intramural volleyball and attending HSA-sponsored events. She looks forward to hosting exciting buddy socials and competitions throughout the year!

 

Community Service

Melissa Christie is a second year Communicative Disorders major with a Spanish minor. In addition to the Honors Student Association (HSA), she is the Vice President of Allegheny Hall's Resident Hall Association and the Treasurer of Autism Speaks U West Chester University. Melissa is also employed as a Desk Assistant at University Hall and a Spanish 101-102 Tutor at the Learning Assistance and Resource Center. As community service chair, Melissa advertises and promotes service events (on and off campus) and keeps track of logging all the service hours completed by students in HSA. This year she hopes to further promote HSA's service to the surrounding West Chester community and collaborate with other service organizations on campus!

 

Curriculum & Community

Dana Fillman is a second year Nursing major in the Honors Core Program. Using the Community and Curriculum Committee, she hopes to continue making improvements of the Honors Curriculum by increasing communication between the professors and my committee. She would also like to increase the attendance at the freshmen celebration and reflection in the spring and the junior celebration and reflection in the fall. 

 

Dance for a Chance

Alexis Stinson is a senior, Pharmaceutical Product Development major and the Dance for a Chance Committee Chair for 2012. Alexis founded the D4AC Dance marathon (along with an amazing team) in the fall of 2011 and is looking to continue to grow the Dance Marathon into a campus-wide service event in 2012. So mark your calendars now for the 2012 Luau themed event on November 17th! Previously Alexis has served as the Vice President of The Honors Student Association and on multiple committees of HSA including CCC, Recruitment, Social, TAG, Community Service, and Aid to South Africa. Across campus Alexis is involved in a variety of organizations from the Neuroscience Journal Club, to the WCU Incomparable Golden Ram Marching Band Colorguard, and most recognizably she is the current Miss West Chester University. Alexis is looking forward to her final year of leadership and service within the Honors Student Association and to an amazing Dance for a Chance 2012!

 

Diversity

Samantha McGinty is a a second year Communication Sciences and Disorders major from Montgomeryville, PA. Along with being the HSA Diversity Committee Chair, she is also a CCIU mentor for students with autism, the Community Service Co-Chair for Autism Speaks U WCU, and a Teaching Assistant at the Goddard School of Montgomeryville. The Diversity Committee promotes diversity and equality throughout the HSA organization, campus, and the community. They will be participating in a variety of service and advocacy events on and off campus, as well as coordinating with other diversity groups to improve the professional skills of our members when it comes to working with people of diversity. 

 

Fundraising

Alissa Conway is a third year Psychology major and the current Fundraising Committee Chair. She hopes to organize and participate in fundraisers for HSA this year. Some of her plans include a fundraiser sports tournament, selling calendars, and holding a second annual date auction. In addition to being the Fundraising Chair, Alissa is also the fundraising chair of Alpha Mu Gamma honors language fraternity and volunteers as part of West Chester Association for the Education of Young Children (WCAEYC) as well as with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Autism Resource Center (SPARC).

 

Graduate School Fair Coordinator

Hannah Velez is a third year student in the Premedical Program, majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology with two minors in Chemistry and Studio Art.  Besides being the Graduate School Fair Coordinator for her second year in a row, Hannah is also an active member of the Pre-Med Club, the Newman Center, and the is the Director of Decorations for Dance For a Chance at West Chester University. Her goal for this year's Graduate School Fair is to solicit the involvement of more graduate schools and encourage the participation of more students so as to provide them with a greater opportunity to learn about their options for higher education.

 

Historian

Elise Lerario is a second year Communication Sciences and Disorders major. She serves as the secretary of RHA in Allegheny all and is the recruitment chair of Autism Speaks. Elise hopes to obtain full photographic coverage of all HSA related events this year, continue to provide photos for the newsletter, and open an online photo album specifically for HSA.

 

Housing

Rachel Polgardy is a second-year English B.S. Ed: Writings major and I am the chair of the HSA Housing Committee. During the summer, I assembled the ‘Welcome Buckets’ for the Honors students who currently live on the 7TH floor of Allegheny Hall. My goals for this year are to purchase a collective “HONORS” Netflix account for all to use during free time, as well as acquiring a rolling whiteboard for Math and Science majors. Finally, I would also like to collaborate with RHA, delegating one member of my committee to attend all RHA meetings and get the Honors voices heard. In addition, this will strengthen the bond between our students and those who maintain the building in which we live.  I would love to see more involvement in RHA socials and fundraisers along with overseeing the usual concern of dorm life here on the 7th floor!

HSA Happenings Editor

Ashley Murphy is third year student majoring in both Secondary English Education and Special Education. Her goal is to keep the university at large, as well as parents of the members of HSA informed of the events and accomplishments within Honors. In addition, she wishes to produce an “Arts Edition” featuring creative works from members of HSA.

 

Library Resources

Olivia Kenney is a third year English Literature major with a History minor.  She is looking forward to expanding the Library Resource Committee, through various events and programs, while strengthening the partnership between Honors and the FHG Library.

 

Music & Performing Arts

Dominick (DJ) Matsko is a senior vocal performance major, and aside from being committee chair in HSA, he serves as the President of the West Chester University Concert Choir. Last year, he assumed the position as the music director of the Honors Choir, a vocal ensemble comprised of various students from the Honors College. Last year, they performed at the Outstanding Faculty Reception, Aid to South Africa, and the Honors Banquet. This year, DJ plans to expand the Honors Choir and look at other ways to incorporate all of the Arts. Through the ideas and active participation of new and old committee members, the committee will expand to encompass the ideals of leadership and service through the Visual and Performing Arts.

 

Public Relations

Tony LaFratte is a second year Accounting & Finance dual major. Public Relations serves as a vehicle for "getting the word out" about the Honors College, HSA-sponsored events, and organization/member accomplishments. Tony's goal is to get the word out in an effective and efficient manner through various mediums, including members' local newspapers, campus media, and online videos and statements.

 

Recruitment

Kristina Lail is a second year Middle Grades Education major with concentrations in math and science.  She is treasurer of the West Chester Association for the Education of Young Children (WCAEYC) as well as a cheerleader for the Golden Ram Football and Basketball teams.  Kristina has high expectations for this committee and would like to see it continue to recruit quality and diverse student leaders that will help HSA grow stronger in years to come. 

 

Seminar Recruitment

Nicole Medeiros is a third year Nutrition and Dietetics major. She is also a member of the Student Dietetic Association and University Ambassadors. Through this committee chair position, she hopes to bring Honors Seminar awareness to the campus community as well as create cohesiveness between the Honors College and the Honors Seminar program. Nicole also aspires to create an information session for interested West Chester students as well as meet with current Honors Seminar students for feedback on the program and how it can improve.

 

SGA Representative

 

Social

Hailing from Allentown, PA, Kim Bydlon is a second-year Communication Studies Major. She is also an executive board member of WCU’s Fashion Organization, "Precise." Kim is employed by Campus Recreation as a Climbing Wall Monitor. As chair of the Social Committee, Kim plans monthly socials such as movie and game nights, holiday-related outings and many more events with the help of the committee members. Specifically, she hopes to facilitate new experiences for HSA members through this year’s socials and events. Kim is also responsible for planning the Semi-Formal  at the end of the academic year with her committee.

Sports & Recreation

Steven Roscioli is a second-year Pre-med major, and the Sports and Recreation Committee Chair for the Honors Student Association. His duty as committee chair is mainly to coordinate the intramural program that is run through the Recreation department at the University. This position entails gathering recruits for the various sports offered, collecting everyone’s information and correctly signing up teams, as well as handling the payments of said teams. Though that is where my ‘required’ duties end, Steve will not stop there; He believes that the sports and recreation committee should not stop at just being a liaison between the school’s intramurals and the students of the Honors College.  Many who have achieved the academic excellence that West Chester’s Honors students have inevitably make sacrifices to avoid stretching themselves too thin. Unfortunately, I’ve seen first hand that physical fitness and nutrition are two areas that get unrightfully slighted. For this reason, he wants to create a sustainable subsidiary goal of the committee; that is, striving to promote health awareness to all Honors students. Whether it means sending out weekly nutrition-based newsletters, or gaining one more player at our weekly nighttime ultimate Frisbee game, Steve wants to at least attempt to aid in promoting balance to everyone’s flourishing education while helping all achieve a happy and healthy body as well.

 

Technology

Taylor Holt is a sophomore Accounting and Finance double major. His goals for this year are to keep the Honors Website up to date with current HSA Newsletters, videos and testimonials about the Honors College’s service and workings in the local West Chester Community.

 

TAG

Emily Polefka is a second year English BSED & Special Education dual major. She is also involved on campus as a Public Speaking Tutor at the Learning Assistance & Resource Center, the Secretary of Autism Speaks U, and the Tournament Coordinator for the Residence Hall Association. As the committee chair for Traveling Across Generations (TAG), she hopes to start a letter writing system/pen pal program, create more socials and create successful buddy pairings with the residence of the Barclay Friends Nursing Home in West Chester.