Division of Student Affairs

Denise graduated with a BA in political science, international relations. She went on to receive her law degree in 1997 from Villanova University. Additional education included studies in international economics at Oxford University in England and work in accounting and business at Northern Virginia Community College. She is a member of the bar in three states plus the District of Columbia.

Her professional life has included positions as senior legal counselor for a variety of companies where her responsibilities have been complex and varied and comprised a wide spectrum of legal issues. She is currently working at Pepco Energy Services as assistant general counsel.

As a student, Denise served as vice president of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority and president of InterGreek Council. In 1993 and 1994 she was Greek Woman of the Year. She was also awarded the "Kick Him in the Ass" Award, although she thinks that might have been created just for her!

Her activism continued during her studies at Villanova where she received scholarships and worked as executive editor of the Villanova Sports and Entertainment Law Journal.

She currently lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband, Stephen, a federal police officer, their children, Finian (3) and Maeve (1), and their two dogs. While her job as assistant general counsel for Pepco Energy Services and her family keeps her busy, it is important to her that she remains active in community activities such as Habitat for Humanity, Breast Cancer Awareness and Phi Sigma Sigma national sorority. Both she and her husband also take part in a number of charity races throughout the year.

Brian, a graduate of WCU, earned a BA in political science and public administration. He later attended Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government earning a certificate in Strategic Leadership for State Executives.

Brian is director of corporate development for Chesapeake Energy Corporation's Eastern Division, where he leads the company's regional efforts in community engagement, public education and communications.

Prior to joining Chesapeake, Brian served as chief of staff to Pennsylvania State Senator Lisa Baker, where he worked on issues ranging from public health and welfare to economic development and emergency management. He is the former executive director of Back Mountain Recreation, Inc., were he worked to develop regional recreation facilities and green space. Brian served as a junior staff member of former Governor Tom Ridge, later becoming deputy director of operations and then rising to a cabinet-level post as director of the Governor's Office of Public Liaison, where he later continued to serve under Governor Mark Schweiker.

While at WCU, Brian was vice president of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity. He served as vice president and then president of the InterFraternity Council and was vice president of the Northeast InterFraternity Conference.

He is currently on the board of directors of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, the United Way of Wyoming Valley, Memorial Hospital in Towanda, Pennsylvania Environmental Council and an advisory board member to the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development in Scranton.

Brian is married to Dr. Renee Grove, a pharmacist at Tyler Memorial Hospital. They reside in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania with their two children, Anna and Jack.

Kim has worked for the past five years at Upper Merion School Distinct as the college counselor for over one thousand students. She guides them through the college application process which includes counseling the students through college preparatory classes. She coordinates both advance placement testing and the dual enrollment program. Kim is also the faculty sponsor for the Black Student Services.

Previously, Kim was assistant director for student support services at WCU where she worked directly with students with disabilities, training student tutors, coordinating student activities and providing reports to secure funding for the various programs.

As a student, Kim was extremely active in both Greek life and residential activities. She was president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a founding member of Chi Alpha Epsilon Honor Society. She was on both the Black Greek Council and the Black Student Union. She worked as a resident assistant at Ramsey Hall, an intern at PRIDE Center (Peer Responsibility in Drug Education) and as an ADP graduate assistant. She was honored as Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.

Before returning to work at WCU, Kim served in a number of positions at Mary Washington College in Virginia. Including, assistant dean for residence life, director of the James Farmer Scholars program, and assistant dean of academic services. She also worked as an academic advisor for the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Washington, D.C.

Kim has three daughters, Jada (12), Alexis (6) and Savannah (1). She met her husband, Arnie , at WCU. Kim is proud to say that her immediate and extended family includes many WCU graduates.

Dr. Lepore has been working and teaching at WCU for over 25 years and has become nationally and locally known as a leader in the field of adapted physical education programming. She is known for both her academic writings and work as well as the hands-on teaching she imparts to both her students and to those who can benefit from adapted education programming. Her work has also included extensive advocacy on behalf of those who use the programs she designs and teaches.

Monica has published extensively, including a DVD on "Introduction to Adapted Aquatics." She has also been very active in spreading the knowledge and message of adapted physical education throughout the Delaware Valley working with college and high school students. Among her many awards are the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR) 2009 Honor Award and induction into the International Swimming Hall of Fame Adapted Aquatics Award.

Dr. Lepore is also active in the WCU community working with Phi Epsilon Kappa, the disbanded Synchronized Swimming Club, Newman Catholic Club and the newly formed Adapted Physical Activity Club. She has conducted the WCU Adapted Physical Education Community Program for 24 years which has blended WCU students with students of all ages in community schools. She is the winner of the WCU Civility Award, PA Adapted Physical Education Professional of the Year award, and the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation Outstanding Professional award.

Monica's contributions to her field, her students, people with disabilities, the local community and the WCU family have been immeasurable. Monica has one daughter, Maria.

After completing his bachelor's degree in business management, Kendrick received his MS Ed from Southern Illinois University in 1994 and Ed.D in educational leadership at Wilmington University in 2007. His dedication to education is evident throughout his work and life.

Kendrick has focused on empowering students to achieve in all facets of their educational lives. Whether working directly with students or teaching colleagues how to help students be their best, he combines academic research with practical knowledge he has gleaned throughout his career.

He is currently working as the director of first year experiences at Delaware County Community College. His responsibilities include bringing students into the college experience and guiding them on how to thrive. Prior to working at DCCC, Dr. Mickens worked at WCU as a business school program director and as the associate director of Multicultural Affairs. He also worked in student affairs at SUNY before coming home to West Chester.

He has spoken and written extensively on a variety of issues, such as diversity, multiculturalism, the African-American and Latino male student achievement and the black Greek system.

As a student at WCU, he was president of the Black Greek Council and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In January, he received the MLK Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award.

He continues extensive volunteerism including serving as a board member for the Melton Community Center and the YMCA of Lansdowne and as a volunteer coordinator for Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

He married his college sweetheart, Dr. Sherrell Mickens ('93), a past recipient of the Legacy of Leadership honor. Along with their two children, Kenae and Kendrick, Jr., they have adopted and raised their nieces, Amanda Christopher and Amelia Washington (a current WCU scholarship recipient) and their nephew Adam Washington.

Tom has worked at WCU since 1987 when he began his West Chester career as the director of residence life. He served for two years as the interim dean of students and was promoted to assistant vice president for student affairs in 1997. His responsibilities which have grown over the years encompass residence life, housing services, Greek life, new student programs, student leadership and involvement and recreation services. He works closely with WCU's dining program which is serviced by ARAMARK.

He has been responsible for strategic planning, outcome design, and acting as a liaison for both on and off campus committees and special projects. Tom has also been very involved in encouraging partnerships with academic affairs to create opportunities to increase student success.

Before coming to WCU he worked in residence life at Adelphi University and SUNY Alfred. This work, although at the beginning of his career, laid the groundwork for his many contributions at WCU which have covered the spectrum from operations, budgeting, student empowerment and overall achievement.

He has served as an advisor or member to a long list of committees and projects that cover all aspects of campus life. He was awarded Advisor of the Year two times and is a National Residence Hall Honorary. He was the advisor to the Residence Hall Association and is currently the advisor to Circle K. He is an honorary member of the Friar's Society and of Phi Sigma Pi.

Tom lives in West Chester with his wife, Mame, who is a faculty member in the Francis Harvey Green Library. They have one daughter, Lindsay, who lives in New York City.

Andy received his B.S. in Education from WCU in 1997. Following graduation, he attended a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer course which led him to a career in the computer arena. After some specialized training, he began work in a small local firm. Like many others, his income was affected by the dot.com problems which led to taking on four additional jobs. He began working for a company in 2001 that struggled for a couple of years before the hard work of Andrew and his colleagues began to pay off and the CEO took the company public. His responsibilities grew when he was named the project manager to deploy a large wireless network to the School District of Philadelphia. He is now vice president of the company, has offices in Philadelphia and West Chester and a staff of ten.

While at WCU, Andrew was an active student leader. He was involved in the Student Government Association, first as secretary and ultimately as president for two years. He was part of the provost executive search committee, a member of Theta Chi Fraternity, public relations chair for IGC and was a member of the PASSHE Board of Governors. He also worked as an orientation leader, as staff for Innovations (a non-alcoholic nightclub in Sykes Union), and as a Sykes Union staff member. He was voted Greek Man of the Year in 1997.

Andy has two children. His son, Mason, is in kindergarten and receiving "excellent" grades. Daughter, Marlena, a student of karate and guitar, just turned three. Andy and his children enjoy life in West Chester so much, they never left the borough.

After leaving WCU, Kim went on to receive her M.Ed. from the University of Delaware in college counseling/student personnel administration. She worked for two years as a hall director while pursuing her degree. She then went to Ursinus College to serve as assistant director of residence life/area coordinator. She also worked as the assistant softball coach.

Building on her interest in sports, Kim started a women's sportswear company, She Plays Sports, Inc., where she and her colleagues created a line of innovative and motivational sports apparel for the female athlete.

After nine years in business, Kim decided to return to the world of education and went back to Ursinus College where she serves as the assistant dean of students/director of campus safety. In this position she oversees Greek Life and LGBTQA Services.

When Kim was a student at WCU, she was president of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, a member of the marching band, a participant in intramurals, a peer educator at the PRIDE (Drug and Alcohol Prevention) Center and an orientation leader. She also was a university ambassador, a desk assistant, and a student supervisor in the Ram's Head Deli.

In 2004, she and her partner created "Chip In Golf," an annual golf outing to benefit breast cancer research. To date it has raised over $150,000. Kim and her partner, Deb, split their time between their Mantua, NJ home and a college-owned home in Collegeville. They share their home with their two Vizslas, B.J. and Summitt.