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Employee Appreciation 2026Building for Tomorrow

WCU’s continued growth through construction, connection, and curriculum is fueled by our dedicated campus community of faculty and staff. We hope that you will participate in Employee Appreciation events which celebrate our collective efforts toward Building for Tomorrow.

We are adding a new tool to your Employee Appreciation toolbox. The “Build Your Day” tool will allow employees to preview events, reserve spots as needed, plan and print your Employee Appreciation Day schedules and share them with coworkers. Get ready to create your blueprints for fun in advance or hammer out the details later.

Build Your Day   Employee Appreciation Schedule

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Dr. Laurie Bernotsky headshot

A Message from the President

I want to express my gratitude and celebrate the dedication, creativity, and energy you bring to our campus every day. You are the foundation of our university, and your work is what builds our collective success.

This year we have begun to challenge ourselves to think bigger about our role at WCU and do better in our pursuit of awesome. Yet, the true strength of our community lies in your ability to foster moments in the daily interactions that make our students feel seen, and our colleagues feel supported.

Thank you for your tireless dedication and I look forward to celebrating with you throughout the week.

- Dr. Laurie Bernotsky
President, West Chester University

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Celebrating Employee Milestones

West Chester University proudly honors our staff who have reached years of service milestones, including retirement, in 2025. The talent and dedication of these employees have helped us to build a strong foundation at WCU. Please take a moment to congratulate them as we celebrate Employee Appreciation 2026: Building for Tomorrow.

Employee Milestone List    Employee Milestone Profiles

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May 13th
Construction, Connection, Curriculum

Time: 11:30 AM – 3 PM
Location: SECC

Bolt out of the office to meet your crew! Dig into a “Build Your Own” inspired lunch menu in The Commons, meet our Facilities Design and Construction subject matter experts and GIS faculty to learn about construction and campus, experience the nuts and bolts of the Duey Immersive Learning Center with our students and faculty, learn about building a winning team from our Athletics Department, check out real world applications made possible by the shear force of WCU Bioengineering students, drill into new ideas with Tracy Davidson’s “Rise Stronger: Building Real World Resilience,” make connections and a bracelet, get briefed on the WCU busy bees and their South Campus beehives, put on a hard hat and a smile at the photobooth, and plan for other fun surprises, including the gift of the day.

Build Your Day

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May 14th
Building Our Community

Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
Location: Tanglewood

Once the home of WCU’s presidents, Tanglewood is now used for community receptions, exhibits, and events. Join us for an outdoor garden party brunch on the beautifully landscaped grounds and pick up your collectable student-designed poster. Be sure to sign up in advance to reserve your spot for employee-exclusive timed tours of historic Tanglewood, build your own garden party bouquet, and explore the innovative student housing at Matlack Court.

Build Your Day

Guest Speaker

Tracey Davidson Headshot
Decorative signature -'Tracey Davidson - here to serve

Rise Stronger:
Building Real World Resilience

Resilience is more than a mindset. It's a set of skills that can be developed. Tracy shares how her journey through live broadcasting and breast cancer taught her to transform adversity into strength.

May 13th
Tracy Davidson

Time: Sessions at 1 PM and 2 PM
Location: SECC Ballrooms
Emmy Award-Wining Journalist  |  Keynote Speaker  |  Community Leader

Join us when Tracy brings her signature clarity, warmth, and evidence-based strategies to West Chester University to help us rise stronger, sustain success, and lead with heart.

Watch Tracy Davidson's Story

 

Campus Bookstore Discount

Stock up on WCU swag and enjoy 30% off all week long at the bookstore. WCU ID required at checkout.

WCU WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY - Employee Appreciation Discount Building for Tomorrow - EXCLUSIVE TO WCU EMPLOYEES - 30%OFF - WCU CLOTHING & GIFTS - IN-STORE ONLY MUST SHOW WCU EMPLOYEE ID - MAY 11-15 - *Excides diploma frames & previous purchases.

 

2026 EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION PRESENTER SPOTLIGHTS

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight ALEXA MORAN Respiratory Care Program Program Instructor 'My work as a respiratory therapy program instructor helps 'Build for Tomorrow' by preparing students with the clinical knowledge, technical skills, and professional judgment needed in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. By emphasizing evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and patient-centered care, I equip graduates to adapt and lead in the future of respiratory care.' Meet Alexa at the Immersive Learning Center on Floor 1, IMC on May 13 at 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:00 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight DOUG HIPKINS, AIA, NCARB Facilities Design and Construction Manager of Facilities Design and Construction 'I work with my colleagues and partners to create spaces and places that students, faculty, and university employees enjoy being in. From form to function, and everything in between makes a difference in how one feels and uses a space to learn, educate, and make sure everyday life on campus is comfortable and welcoming.' Meet Doug in the SECC Room 213 on May 13 at 1:00 PM and 1:45 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight JEAN HERB School of Nursing Assistant Professor 'Through classroom teaching, simulation, and community- based experiences, I focus on helping students build the clinical judgment, communication skills, and confidence they need to move successfully from student to professional nurse. I see this work as an investment not only in our students' futures, but also in the future of healthcare. I see this work as an investment not only in our students' futures, but also in the future of healthcare.' Meet Jean at the Immersive Learning Center on Floor 1, IMC on May 13 at 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:00 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight JESSE K. PLACONE, Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering Associate Professor & Chair 'I help supervise and advise capstone projects each year. These capstone projects are generally in conjunction with industry sponsors where are students have the opportunity to engage in addressing an unmet need for a real world application. This allows for us to enable our students to have an experiential learning opportunity that enables them to develop their innovation and engineering skills.' Meet Dr. Placone in the SECC Room 172 on May 13 at 1:30 PM and 2:15 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight KASEY TRILL, EdD, RN, CMSRN School of Nursing Assistant Professor of Nursing 'I help build for tomorrow by preparing nursing students for practice ready clinical care. Through immersive and active learning strategies, I focus on developing strong clinical judgment, adaptability, and professional confidence-skills essential for today's evolving healthcare environment.' Meet Dr. Trill at the Immersive Learning Center on Floor 1, IMC on May 13 at 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:00 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight LAURA MARCHIANO Respiratory Care Program Program Instructor 'I believe simulation is one of the most powerful tools we have in respiratory care education. It provides a safe space where students can engage in critical thinking, test their decision-making, and learn through trial and error without fear. Those moments of error and reflection often become the most meaningful learning experiences and help build lasting clinical judgment.' Meet Laura at the Immersive Learning Center on Floor 1, IMC on May 13 at 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:00 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight DR. MICHAEL HOLIK Department of Nutrition Associate Professor 'I am very Al-forward, utilizing it for building virtual reality learning experiences and nutrition patient simulation. These experiences are providing our students with more access to experiential learning and patient treatment practice that are limited in traditional lectures.' Meet Dr. Holik in the SECC Room 209 on May 13 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight MICHELLE GINSBURG Facilities Division Executive Director of Facility Support for Auxiliary Buildings 'Before we could begin renovating existing housing, it was critical to identify swing space for our current on- campus students. After evaluating several housing solutions, I found a creative solution: temporary modular housing, which enabled us to begin South Campus apartment renovations while maintaining our on-campus bed capacity over the next 5 years.' Meet Michelle at Tanglewood on May 14 at 9:00 AM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight NANCY BARKER School of Nursing Professor of Nursing & Chair 'I believe that we are so lucky to help educate and graduate exceptional nurses who stay and care for those in the Chester County area. We work within the Immersive Learning Center, which allows students to see scenarios similar to what they will see when they graduate. Ensuring they are prepared for what they will encounter when working as an RN.' Meet Nancy at the Immersive Learning Center on Floor 1, IMC on May 13 at 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:00 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight TIFFANY BAILEY, NCIDQ Facilities Design and Construction Interior Designer 'In FD&C, some of our consistent project goals include enhancing the aesthetics and efficiency of current spaces while panning for those spaces to have longevity but also allow for future alterations as the University grows and changes. We opt for furniture and product solutions that can be flexible in use/application, cost effective, and high quality to withstand heavy use over time.' Meet Tiffany in the SECC Room 213 on May 13 at 1:00 PM and 1:45 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight JANINE NEWS School of Nursing Skills Lab Coordinator Knowing that I help students develop essential hands- on skills, critical thinking, and safe practice habits is deeply rewarding. When a student master's a skill, gains confidence, or later applies what they learned to provide safe and effective patient care, it reinforces the impact of my work. Being part of their journey and helping shape competent, confident future nurses gives my role purpose and meaning. Meet Janine at the Immersive Learning Center on Floor 1, IMC on May 13 at 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM, and 2:00 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Performer Spotlight JONATHAN RAGONESE Ensembles and Conducting Director of Jazz Studies, Associate Professor of Saxophone My work with the Criterions Jazz Ensemble builds community at WCU more than any other part of my job. In 2026-27, the band celebrates their 100th anniversary. Every summer for the last forty-five years, alumni get together to play again, and this fall we will have a three day celebration featuring many of them. The current band performs across campus and in the community at festivals, theaters and concert venues. Meet Jonathan at Tanglewood on May 14 at 9:00 AM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight NICOLE WARD Facilities Design and Construction Executive Director Our work helps WCU prepare for the future of education not only by constructing new facilities and maintaining existing ones, but by shaping how the campus functions, adapts, and supports evolving student needs. Our efforts support data-driven, long-term planning and thoughtful design strategies that strengthen WCU's identity and position the university for continued growth. Meet Nicole at SECC 213 on May 13 at 12:30 PM and 2:15 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight TIM FERRIS Extract and Box Head Beekeeper Deliciously tasting honey is only one byproduct of healthy honeybees. E&B's development goals include strengthening food chain resilience and the collaborative development of bio pharmaceutical natural products utilizing all of honeybees potential benefits. There is currently a (student) project being conducted on campus featuring bioreactors, growing nematodes in bacteria. Meet Tim at the SECC Patio on May 13 at 12:30 PM, 1:15 PM and 2:30 PM.

  • Employee Appreciation 2026 Presenter Spotlight STEVE MAZUREK Athletics Head Coach, Aquatics Director West Chester is special because it makes you feel like you can be a person of achievement right now. Student- athletes on this campus have an opportunity to live like champions today, and to conduct themselves like professionals in their fields now. In our program, that discussion begins with character and culture—what we give our attention to, and how we communicate. Meet Steve at SECC 202 on May 13 at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM.

 

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