Vision
The Career Development Center will be positioned and valued as an innovative campus-wide strategy that completes the university's mission by democratizing access to resources, knowledge, connections, and opportunities for diverse students, alumni, and employers.
Mission
The Twardowski Career Development Center serves as the bridge connecting students and alumni to the professional world, introducing them to who they can become.
Commitment to inclusion
We invite students, alumni, and employers to bring their full identities, and express themselves without fear of judgement, to every interaction with the Career Development Center. We strive to be a space where those with which we work feel seen, heard, respected, and provided every opportunity to be successful.
Team Values
Communication | The Twardowski Career Development Center views communication as being transparent, cooperative, and accountable. Therefore, we will approach all interactions with an intentional asset-based mindset.
Acceptance | The Twardowski Career Development Center is committed to understanding, respecting, and accepting individual and collective purpose and capacity.
Fun | The Twardowski Career Development Center values finding joy and humor in what we do and how we deliver our services, whether strengthening the bonds of the team, or engaging students and alumni in their career development.
Empathy | The Twardowski Career Development Center prioritizes building a foundation of trust and understanding across the university, extending grace and compassion to ourselves and to others.
Staff Directory
Jennifer Rossi Long
Director
jlong@wcupa.edu
(610) 436-2511
Liaison to
- The Alumni Association
- The Office of Admissions
- The West Chester University Foundation
- Student Success and Retention
- Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Parent & Family Relations
- University Marketing
- External Affairs
Phyllis Schoen
Associate Director for Employer Engagement
pschoen@wcupa.edu
(610) 436-2934
- Leads employer initiatives, including the Campus Recruiting Program, Career Fairs, Meet Ups, and other employer-related programs
Department Liaison
- Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact
Kate Shellaway
Associate Director
kshellaway@wcupa.edu
(610) 436-2540
Academic Liaison for
- College of Arts and Humanities
- University College - Pre-Major Academic Advising & Academic Success Program (ASP)
Department Liaison for
- Athletics
- Student Leadership & Involvement
- Center for Women & Gender Equity
- Wellness Promotion
Amber Pleasants
Associate Director
apleasants@wcupa.edu
(610) 430-5880
Academic Liaison for
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Science & Mathematics
Liaison for
- Veterans Center
- Office of Services for Students with Disabilities
- Counseling Center
- Transfer Students
Amanda Baker
Assistant Director
abaker2@wcupa.edu
(610) 436-2522
Academic Liaison for
- College of Business & Public Management
Department Liaison for
- Center for Trans & Queer Advocacy
- Global Engagement Office
- The Graduate School/Graduate Student Association
- Fraternity & Sorority Life
Yessica Gutierrez
Assistant Director
ygutierrez@wcupa.edu
(610) 436-2758
Academic Liaison for
- College of Education and Social Work
- Wells School of Music
Liaison for
- The Dub-C Autism Program
- The Dowdy Multicultural Center
- New Student Programs
- The Philadelphia Campus
Mekiyah Pernell
Recruiting & Events Coordinator
MConey@wcupa.edu
(610) 436-2502
- Member of the Employer Engagement and Events Team
- Oversees the On Campus Interviewing Program, Information Tables, and logistics for recruiting and networking events
Student Staff
Cooper Rothman
Graduate Assistant
Joe DeLibero
Graduate Assistant
Adrianna Castillo
Career Ambassador
Gemma Giuffrida
Career Ambassador
Jodeane Ashman
Career Ambassador
Morgan Culbreath
Career Ambassador
Ryan Steffe
Career Ambassador
Vanessa Rodriguez Segovia
Digital Marketing Intern
Molly Cooper
Employer Engagement Intern
About Our Name
The Twardowski Career Development Center was named on May 6, 2000 to honor the legacy of its founding director and West Chester alumnus Dr. Edward T. Twardowski, known as "Dr. T." An endowment was created through a leadership gift from the Twardowski family and others who knew Dr. T to support programs and services that assist students and alumni in securing employment and rewarding careers.
Dr. Edward T. Twardowski, Class of 1942, served West Chester University for more than 25 years as an alumnus, teacher, counselor, coach, mentor, and colleague. After receiving his bachelor's degree from West Chester, he received a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a doctorate from Temple University.
Dr. Twardowski was a member of the health and physical education faculty and made a major contribution to the lives of many future teachers and to West Chester sports history. He was the popular coach of championship swim teams from 1952 until 1960 and served for several years as a tennis coach and as the first-year students football coach.
Dr. Twardowski was also a Fulbright scholar in Columbia and received the Distinguished Faculty and Meritorious Teaching awards while on the faculty of West Chester. As one who was especially concerned for students' welfare, Dr. Twardowski founded the Career Development Center and served for 11 years as its first director.
Annual Reports
The career center provides a range of services and programs that actively engage students, alumni, and employers each year. The annual report provides a summary of appointment volume, presentations and workshop attendance, and job and internship recruiting activity.