Dwight Horsey

Q: When did you start working here at Millersville?

A: I’ve been working at the University since 1995.

Q: Where are you originally from?

A: I was born in Baltimore. My family moved to Washington, D.C., and then back to Baltimore. I am a product of both cities.

Q: What is the most difficult part of being the director of financial aid?

A: Meeting with so many students and families who are struggling financially and not always being able to assist them and staying on top of and making sure the University is in compliance with all of the ever-changing federal and state regulations that govern the administration of the financial aid programs.

Q: What are your duties as assistant vice president of student affairs?

I work with the senior management team of the Student Affairs Division to support students in their development and success. This includes assisting with diversity initiatives, working with student veterans, assisting academic affairs with retention and recruitment activities, working with the cultural affairs committee to bring in a variety of different kinds of performance art to campus, representing student affairs on the academic standards committee and working on assignments for the vice president for student affairs.

Q: You also assist in bringing cultural events to campus. Any groups we should look forward to this year?

A: The freshman reading this year is a book titled How Does It Feel to Be a Problem?: Being Young and Arab in America. So the cultural affairs committee has been looking at artists of Middle-Eastern descent or that are different in some way to follow that theme. There are some very interesting acts we’ve seen that we hope to bring to campus next season. I’ll just say prepare to be entertained.

Q: Your office provides one of the most important services at Millersville. How many people would you say you interact with on a daily basis?

A: That’s a difficult question to answer. It really depends upon the time of year. During our peak time, the office gets 2,000 calls a week, which makes for a lot of daily interactions. My conversations happen everywhere on campus every day. Just walking to the SMC, I am stopped by three or four students, and when I get there five or 10 more in computer lab or in the halls. I don’t think I’ve ever counted. I’ll just say a lot.

Q: What is the typical workday for you?

A: There really is no typical day for me. The calendar says one thing, but the reality is always different.

Q: Have you received any accolades or awards during your time here at Millersville?

Yes, but the best one is the thank you I get from students at commencement.

Q: You also facilitate an organization called Millersville Concerned Men (MCM) every Friday throughout the semester? Could you tell us more about what purpose of this group?

A: The purpose of MCM is to give the men on campus the tools they need to be successful both in the classroom and in life. We work on four main principles of academics, brotherhood, leadership and community service. We also participate in workshops and retreats with MCW, Millersville Concerned Women. We’ve had the president’s cabinet speak about their journey from student to president and vice president, as well as dining and business etiquette workshops with Dr. Aminta Breaux. The men have been involved with the Millersville Mentoring Alliance and met with both the University and Millersville Borough police departments. It’s a great learning experience for everyone involved.

Q: As someone who holds a leadership position at Millersville, what do you think the most difficult thing is when it comes to being a leader?

A: Maintaining balance and managing conflicting priorities.

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: Student success.

Q: What is your relationship like with the students here at Millersville?

A: I think it’s a positive one. When you deal with someone’s financial aid, you end up talking about almost every aspect of his or her life. Their family circumstances, classes, living situation, employment, transportation, even food and clothing.  It’s all interrelated. As a result, I get to know students pretty well. If I do not have the type of relationship in which the student feels comfortable sharing that kind of information, I can’t really help them.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

A: Working with someone who has dealt with some really difficult issues that could have and should have prevented them from being successful and watching them persevere and grow into a Millersville alum. Also, having clean audits.

Q: Would you consider yourself to be the role model you would want when you were younger?

A: Not exactly. I never imagined that I would be working with people. I wanted to work with animals. Gunter Gable-Williams, the animal trainer for Ringling Brothers Circus, was the man I most admired and wanted to be. I haven’t quite gotten there yet.

Q: You have taught self-defense classes on campus. What sort of training do you have in this area?  Do you still teach self-defense?

A: I started learning karate when I was 14, and then went on to practice Wu Shu Kung Fu, Aikido, Judo and bits and pieces of other styles. I taught karate for D.C. Parks and Recreation and a women’s self-defense class at Western Maryland College. I don’t have much in the way of free time these days, and as I have matured, getting thrown around isn’t as much fun as it used to be. As a result, I only do a couple of workshops a year.

Ruth Sheetz

Q: Take us through a typical day in your shoes.

A: My day-to-day activities vary depending on what phase the design or construction project might be in. I conduct pre-bid and pre-construction meetings and bid openings. I prepare construction contracts, change orders, process payment applications, issue work orders and review specifications and drawings. I talk to construction managers, contractors and answer questions during bidding. There is always something to do, because we typically have more than 20 maintenance or design projects active at any given time.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?   

A: There is no other job that could be more rewarding than working at Millersville because every part of what I do ultimately benefits our students.

Q: Explain what your goal is as contract specialist for Millersville University.  

A: My goal is to maintain integrity in our procurement process and to protect the University’s interests. It is also important to provide positive customer service to our internal customers and outside contractors or vendors.

Q: Did you have a role in the construction for Millersville’s new library?

A: Yes, I worked with the project manager and design professional in putting together the bid documents. I am responsible for administering the construction contracts and change orders. I also assist with updating the project budget.

Q: You are in involved in many different areas on campus. What do you enjoy working on the most? 

A: I have really enjoyed working on student housing renovations. Knowing that the students appreciate upgrades to these facilities makes all of the hard work worthwhile.

Q: What were you doing before you came to Millersville? 

A: I was director of administrative and procurement services for a local engineering company.

Q: Why did you come to Millersville? 

A: The operational functions of the construction and design department and contract specialist position mirrored my previous experience and background.

Q: What do you like doing outside of work? 

A:  I am a sports fan to my boys.  Zach is a junior at Bloomsburg University, and he plays collegiate basketball. I go to all the games and support the team. Greg is a senior at the Boys’ Latin School, and I go to his football and lacrosse games. I like being outside and enjoy gardening and boating. My favorite hobby is shopping, especially for bargains.

Q: Do you have a favorite movie, book or quote? 

A: The new James Bond movie, “Skyfall,” was fantastic.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve? 

A: Drivers who run red lights.

Q: Where are you originally from?

A:  I was born and raised here in Lancaster.

Q: Have you ever traveled outside of the country? 

A: Not yet, but I hope to this summer!

Q: Where are you from?

A: I was born and raised in Lancaster County in the Lampeter/Willow St. area.                 

Q: Where were you educated? What did you study?

A: I went to Lampeter-Strasburg High School, where I graduated in 1995. I then attended Harrisburg Area Community College, where I received my associate’s degree.

Q: When did you begin working at Millersville University?

A: I started here on February 14, 2010. Being that it was Valentine’s Day, it is an easy date to remember!

Q: What are your responsibilities as the groundskeeper supervisor?

A: The grounds department is responsible for the entire campus plus the outside of all the University buildings. We handle all mowing, mulching, trimming, pruning, trash, leaf and snow removal and just about anything else that pops up. But to me, a supervisor or manager does much more than just assign work and make sure it’s completed to set standard. A manager must be a teacher, student, coach, player, mentor, orator, therapist and a disciplinarian.

Q: What does a typical day consist of at the office?

A: We begin each day with morning meetings before we break off into our assigned areas. Much of what we do is dictated by the seasons, so jobs frequently change.  The one constant is trying to keep an overall clean appearance at the campus.

Q: What grounds are you responsible for on campus?

A: As most of you know, we have a very large campus. We manage all the grounds from Centennial Drive over to Cottage Avenue and from George and Prince Streets. This includes all athletic fields and the University owned houses.

Q: Can you list some of the everyday problems you encounter in terms of grounds-keeping?

A:  Student safety is always our biggest concern. But most of our normal problems that crop up have to do with trash and recycling. However, each season brings different problems.

Q: How did you enter this line of work?

A: I started my landscaping career when I was 15 years old. I was looking for work close to my parents’ house, so I could ride my bike to work. The only place close was Meadia Heights Golf Club. One summer there, and I knew working outside was for me. Yet the following summer, I worked in an office setting just to make sure. What I found was, eight hours inside felt like 16, and eight hours outside really felt like four. From that point on, I knew grounds work was in my future.

Q: How many years of landscaping do you have?

A: I have been working in the landscaping field in one way or another for the last 20 years.

Q: What do you love most about groundskeeping? What do you dislike?

A: Because most of what we do is dictated by the seasons, our work is always changing. Each season brings with it new jobs and challenges. So what that means for the grounds worker is that as you tire of doing one job, the seasons change and that brings with it a whole new job that needs to be done. It really keeps things fresh and interesting. The downside to the seasons is the temperature changes we have to work through.  Extreme heat and cold seem to bother me more as I get older.

Q: What is your favorite tool to use?

A: Probably a mower. I enjoy the accuracy in striping the grass with the mower. Also, I like the mower because you use it over every square inch of ground, allowing you to see things in the campus that would otherwise go unnoticed. Plus, it’s just you and the mower, which gives you plenty of time to think.

Q: How do you prepare for potential storms?

A: Depending on the type of weather event predicted, we usually get specific pieces of equipment ready. We also set up work schedules, depending on the time the event begins. After those things are done and in place, we just monitor the situation and wait.

Q: Where did you work before Millersville?

A: I was the grounds superintendant for the Murry Companies for seven years.

Q: When not working, what is your favorite thing to do?

A: Spending time with friends and family.

Q: Do you have any hobbies?

A: Sports! Watching. Coaching. Playing. I have been playing hockey now for 30 years, still play hoops and have just recently taken up golf.  Coaching my children and their friends has been pretty rewarding, as well.

Q: What are some of your favorite movies?

A: Comedy: Step Brothers. Action: Book of Eli. War: Band of Brothers. Drama: Game of Thrones

Q: Please complete this sentence. People would be surprised to know that I…

A:  I love to read; I love to learn.  

Lydia Yeager

Q: Describe yourself in three words?

A: Organized.  Loyal.  Friendly.

Q: How did attending Millersville for your undergraduate college career make you want to come back and work for the University?

A: Fun fact! I worked all of the student jobs that I now supervise while I was a student at Millersville. I stayed in touch with my old boss after graduating and about a year later, I took over as Ticket Sales Manager. Working for Student Services, Inc., has been a great professional experience because I get to work with several offices across campus to plan and coordinate events. MU is a special place, and I credit my time here as a student and now as a manager for shaping my life, both personally and professionally.

Q: There are a lot of events that happen at Millersville.You and your student staff seem to work all of them. What are some of your favorite events to manage?

A: I love working athletic events because of the fan atmosphere and the people I work with in the athletic department. Major concert events are always a lot of fun because of the backstage access component and working with the artist’s tour managers. Celebrity speakers always create an extra level of importance and excitement to the event. I’ve been very lucky to have been a part of events such as Hillary Clinton during the 2008 Presidential election, Jesse Jackson, Bill Ayers, Temple Grandin and many others. The Ware Center and Winter Centers do great programming, as well, and it allows us to network with the community on a different level.

Q: When did you graduate from Millersville?

A: May 2004.

Q: What is the most memorable experience you’ve had as a student at Millersville University?

A: The friendships. I was lucky enough to have the same roommate for two and a half of my four years at Millersville. I was in her wedding, and her kids call me “Aunt Lyd” when I visit them.  We stay in touch on a regular basis and try to get together as often as possible.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I recently became an aunt so when I can, I try to spend as much time with my nephew and family as my schedule permits. I love anything and everything entertainment – movies, television, books and Twitter! I like to know what is going on at all times…I think I get that from my job!

Q: You have managed outdoor and indoor events. What was the worst weather you have had to work in?

A: You name it, we have worked in it! I can remember standing knee-deep in rain while working a football game, and it poured the whole game. Rain games actually end up being pretty fun because there is nowhere to go, so you just make the best of it! We’ve also worked in snow and 19 degree temps, thunder and lightning, and heat. My staff are troopers!

Q: Working the ticket window has to be intriguing and exciting due to all the events you sell tickets for at Millersville. If you could go to one event (as just a spectator), which one would it be?

A: One great perk about my job is that I get to see all of the events, so I don’t miss too many.  The bus trips for students are a great deal! Student organizations plan really fun and cheap trips.  I am always very envious of the New York City bus trip.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?

A: Inefficiency. I struggle when people try to make things harder than they need to be.  I think my ticket office student workers would say when people walk up to the ticket window and say, “I want to buy a ticket.” We have to prompt them and ask “for what?” On average we have about 5-8 ticketed events a week (sometimes that many in one weekend) and 100+ events during a semester. We appreciate customers who know what they want to buy, but we are certainly there to answer questions too.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working for Millersville?

A: Working with my student staff. I value the commitment that they make to working evenings and weekends with me, and I cannot do this job without them. They are so loyal! My favorite thing (and also least favorite) is watching them graduate, because I know they are going to leave MU and do great things, and to know that I was a small part of that is so gratifying.

With that said, I also work with some truly wonderful people at SSI and on-campus. It is team effort to put on most of our events.

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: I grew up in Carlisle, Pa., which is about an hour from Millersville.

Q: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment in life so far?

A: My education. My mom says that education is something that no one can take from you, which is a great way to look at it. I completed my master’s degree in 20 months, while working full-time here at MU and commuting to Shippensburg for class once a week. It was a little crazy at times, but I’m proud of myself for getting it done.

Q: What is the most difficult thing about being Ticket Sales Manager?

A: My job has evolved over the last eight years as the University changes and grows, and with that so has the event schedule. This can mean working evenings and weekends to make sure events go smoothly, but every day is different, and that is what I appreciate most about my job.

Q: Who is one person who has been an inspiration in your life and why?

A: Definitely my mom. My family has gone through some challenging times over the last few years, but she stays so positive, resilient and supportive of everyone around her. I try to emulate that as much as possible in my own life.

Q: Besides all of the renovations and construction on campus, how has Millersville changed since you were a student here?

A: There is certainly more to do now than when I went here. The campus itself was the major attraction for me when I visited the first time. It’s a gorgeous campus, and the renovation projects are great to keep the campus moving forward. I think technology has changed so much from when I was a student here. Everyone is so mobile now, myself included. I think MU has done a great job trying to keep the students, staff and alumni all connected and aware of what is happening on campus.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter @MUTicketsOnline.

Chipp Beasley

Q: What are your duties as the coordinator of facilities management for housing and residential programs on campus?

A: I liaison with the facilities and housekeeping departments and some contractors as it relates to the residence halls. Also, I supervise a crew of students and we make some minor repairs in the halls.

Q: Do you have a favorite residence hall?

A: No I don’t have a favorite, especially because each building has a unique personality to me.

Q: Burrowes Hall has been around awhile. What would you say to students who are hesitant about residing in Burrowes?

A: Burrowes’ showers were renovated two summers ago, so that makes them much more appealing—and the furniture is less than five years old.

Q: How many years have you been at Millersville University?  

A: I’ve been working here for 31.5 years and a graduate assistant for three years before that.

Q: Have you always held the same position?  

A: No. I was a residence hall director for the first 20 years.

Q: How did you arrive at Millersville?

A: I went to undergrad at York College, and of course I learned about Millersville University while at YCP. Millersville’s school psychology program was well spoken of at YCP.

Q: Are you from this area? 

A: No. I am originally from Washington, D.C.

Q: What was the biggest crisis situation that you had to tackle in your position?

A: The biggest crisis has been setting up approximately 150 tripled rooms (adding a bed and desk to a two-person room to accommodate a temporary third student) two weeks before the beginning of the fall semester and then having to remove approximately 75 of those sets of tripled furniture in four days. Ironically, I’ve been on vacation during many of the traditional crises, i.e., hurricane Sandy, fire in Hobbs.

Q: How often do you ensure proper maintenance in all of the residence halls on campus (i.e., fire alarms, washer/dryers, drainage issues, etc.)? 

A: Approximately every two weeks I send a list of work orders for the respective buildings to the graduate assistants and then follow up with facilities as needed. I also routinely tour the buildings and inspect areas of concern.

 Q: What’s the best way to start out the day? 

A: During the summer I have students working for me all day/every day and we start with a planning session/current events review and a stretch session.

Q: Do you work normal hours, or is your job essentially “on call?”

A: I work regular hours, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Q: What is the strangest story and/or complication that you’ve had during maintenance rounds?

A: One of my student workers hit a sprinkler head with a mattress causing a massive flood of Burrowes’ Hall basement.

Q: Complete this sentence. I wouldn’t be able to survive without _______.

A: Music and working out.

Q: What are you most excited about in terms of the $180-million housing project?

A: Being able to meet student needs with new facilities that reflect the latest technology!

Q: Do you think this will alleviate any of your job duties at all?

A: No, things will still break and need fixing, and ‘they don’t make ’um like they used to!’

Q: How often are you able to collaborate with the rest of the housing and residential program staff? 

A: As a liaison with the facilities/housekeeping departments, I have to pass information on between the housing department and facilities on a regular basis, every single day.

Q: What’s it like having an office in Hull Hall, so close to all of the residents? 

A: It’s refreshing; their energy keeps me tuned in with the freshman class, since Hull is a freshman hall.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A: Casablanca. I’m a big Bogie fan, but I have a lot of movies I can watch over and over. The Magnificent Seven is my favorite western. But I have favorites in every genre.

Q: If you’re not at work, what can we find you doing? 

A: Golfing, yard work, listening to music, watching a movie or reading a good book, playing with my cat or friend’s pets. 

Q: Do you collect anything or have any interesting hobbies? 

A: Besides the answers to the question above, I also love to travel and photography, and I love studying animal behavior. I’m a big jazz and blues fan so I’m always listening.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I have a sister who is a veterinarian who works for the Department of Agriculture. 

Q: What is the most exciting thing that has happened to you in 2012?

A: I went to Goblin Valley, Utah, which is the most amazing place in the natural environment I’ve ever been. It’s like being on another planet; the rock and clay formations are phenomenal. And, the equally amazing thing was that a lot of children were playing on the rock formations – no phones, no gaming, just good ‘ole fun!!

Q: If you weren’t in your current position, what career would you like to have?

A: A photographer or a sound engineer.

HVAC Manager John Halton

Q: Where are you from?

A: I am from Altoona, Pa.     

Q: Where were you educated? What did you study?

A: My main school was Hollidaysburg Area High School. I went to Altoona Area Vocational School for heating and air conditioning.

Q: When did you begin working at Millersville University?

A: I came to Millersville in August of 2003.

Q: What are your responsibilities as the HVAC manager?

A: I feel the most important responsibility as the HVAC manager is to see that when our customers call for service on their heat or air conditioning they get the best service we can provide. I oversee a preventative maintenance program for over 3,700 pieces of equipment both here on campus and at our downtown Lancaster facility. I also coordinate with our Capitol Construction division to ensure that the HVAC systems are specified and installed correctly.

Q: For those who are unaware, could you explain what HVAC systems are?

A:  HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. We operate and maintain all of the central heating and air conditioning systems on campus. The HVAC shop also maintains walk-in refrigerators and freezers, ice machines, window air conditioners, exhaust fans, cooling towers, building automation systems, pumps, chemical fume hoods and a wide variety of other equipment.

Q: What does a typical day consist of at the office?

A: I am out of my office a lot during the day. I am helping the team members of the HVAC shop, sitting in project meetings and getting together with contractors that work on some of our equipment. Late in the afternoon is when I finally get to take some time in my office and catch up on emails, order parts for the department and talk to customers.

Q: How many buildings are you responsible for on campus?

A: The HVAC team takes care of almost 100 buildings on campus.  

Q: What do you love most about Millersville University?

A: Millersville University is a great place to work. I really love interacting with the wide diversity of customers we serve here. 

Q: Which system causes the most complications on campus?

A: All the systems that HVAC teams work on can have a mind of their own. I believe the most challenging units are the big chillers for the buildings. It never fails that they break down on the hottest days, and the team is on the roofs fixing them. I always ask that our customers please be aware that, as hot as they are in their workspace, the members of our team are probably up on the roof working to get them comfortable.

Q: How do you prepare for potential storms?

A: The management teams sit down as a group. We look at what type of storm is coming and what we think might be impacted by the storm. We work hard to make sure that all students and staff will be safe. We try and anticipate possible problems and have solutions planned and ready to implement.

Q: Where did you work before Millersville?

A: I started my career in Maryland. I was a HVAC service mechanic for over 20 years, providing service for a variety of commercial and industrial customers over a wide geographical area. I moved back to Pennsylvania in September of 2000.

Q: When not working, what is your favorite thing to do?

A: My favorite thing is spending time with my family. I have a wonderful wife and daughter that are great to see after each day at work. I do volunteer work for Toys for Tots. I enjoy knowing that there will be some happy children out there at Christmas time that might not have a toy to open without this wonderful organization. I am also trying to finish remodeling my house.

Q: Do you have any hobbies? If so, what are they?

A: My hobby is model railroading. I have a big model train layout in my basement. I call it my stress relief room. I have always been a train fan.

Q: What are some of your favorite movies?

A:  I am a “Stars Wars” fan. I also like action movies.

Q: Please complete this sentence. People would be surprised to know that I:

A:   I did a lot of service work in federal government buildings (including the White House) before I moved back to Pennsylvania. I was very lucky to meet President Ronald Reagan.

Valerie Good

Q: Where are you from? 

A: I’ve lived in Lancaster County since I was five years old.

Q: What college/university did you attend? What did you study?

A:  I attended Millersville University for my undergraduate degree, where I received a bachelor’s in speech communications with a public relations option. I later earned my master’s with a marketing and communications emphasis from Alvernia College in Reading, Pa.

Q: When did you begin working at Millersville?

A: I began as an adjunct professor in August 2006.

Q: What is one major difference you have noticed since you attended Millersville?

A:  One major difference in Millersville is the Student Memorial Center building now covering what used to be the road leading to Harbold Hall. It really looks different when you drive down N. George Street!

Q: What classes do you teach at Millersville?

A: I’ve taught “Personal Selling,” “Advertising,” “Principles of Marketing” and “Retail Marketing.”

Q: What is your favorite part about teaching Advertising?

A: I enjoy seeing students’ creativity sparked and their passion for advertising come alive through real-life application of textbook concepts.

Q: When you are not teaching at Millersville, what do you do?

A: I primarily do freelance copywriting and marketing strategy for clients.

Q: How and when did you start your advertising company?

A: I was working as a marketing manager for a very busy local advertising agency right up until I gave birth to my first son. He had major health issues, which necessitated me being home full-time. I began to work from home for the same company but as a ‘freelance’ writer. And, I enjoyed it so much that I began taking on additional clients. Later I started my website and built my brand, etc.

Q: What is something you learned at Millersville that you use for your real-life advertising campaigns?

A: There were many classes that I took that helped me in my career. Two that stick out to me now are “Public Relations Writing,” to fine tune my business writing skills, and “Desktop Publishing” (graphic design).

Q: What are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of working for yourself?

A: The biggest advantage of working for yourself is that you get to pick your hours. The biggest disadvantage is that I feel like I’m working around the clock because I have to set boundaries for my time. You don’t get to leave at 5 p.m. like most jobs.

Q: Where else have you worked?

A:  In the past, I’ve worked as a marketing manager for a local advertising agency, a product manager for a credit union, a publicist for another local agency and a sales and marketing coordinator for a local hotel.

Q: Who has influenced your career the most?

A: My husband comes to mind because he’s believed in me and has given me the freedom to pursue what I enjoy.

Q: Do you have children?

A: Yes, my husband and I have been blessed with three boys: Joshua (age 6), Caleb (age 4) and Ryan Josiah (age 18 months). They are busy and full of life!

Q: When not working, what is your favorite thing to do?

A: In no particular order, I love to run, play the piano, blog, read Bible studies, play with my kids, spend quality time with my husband and workout at the gym.

Q: Do you have any advice for students entering the world of public relations, advertising or marketing?

A: Look for a calling rather than just a job. Don’t take a career path based on salary alone when you’re just getting started. Instead, do something you love and get experience in it, even if you’re scraping to get by. Eventually, your experience and skills will help you earn what you need and you’ll still be enjoying what you feel you were meant to be doing.

Q. What college did you attend? What did you major in?

A. I was attracted to a small college experience and attended Washington College in Chestertown, Md., where I graduated with a degree in political science and a minor in history.  I later received a master’s degree and Ph.D. from American University in political science.

Q. What is something you absolutely need to get through your day?

A. I absolutely could not get through the day without reading one or more New York newspapers – The New York Times for “real” news and commentary and The New York Post for a daily update on the Mets, Knicks and Rangers.

Q. What is your favorite sport to play or watch?

A. My favorite sport to play is soccer. Even though I never played soccer growing up in N.J.,  I still play year-round in a variety of adult leagues.  As for watching, my favorite sport is baseball.  I am so old-fashioned about baseball that I even enjoy listening to a baseball game on the radio, just as my dad did when I was growing up.

Q. I understand you are president and coach for the Hempfield Soccer Club. How long has soccer been a passion of yours?

A. Soccer has been a big passion of mine ever since my daughters got involved back in kindergarten.  I became really interested and have been coaching girls’ soccer for 13 years, adding additional coaching licenses along the way.  I just completed a four-year term as president of Hempfield Soccer Club and Penn Legacy Soccer and remain involved as a board member.

Q. What interests you the most during election season?

A. I am a “junkie” of all aspects of presidential elections and watch every minute of the presidential debates (since the 1980 Reagan-Carter debates) and the party conventions.  I must also admit to watching most weekend political talk shows and am regularly flipping between channels.  However, the best part of election season is the political humor on Saturday Night Live each week!

Q. Why would you say it is important for students to vote?

A. If young people are to become educated and enthusiastic voters of the future, it is important to get them excited about being civically engaged during their college years.  It is wonderful to see young people engage in the political process and for them to understand how much their voice matters. Our goal should be to inspire a habit of civic participation that lasts a lifetime.

Q. Were you involved in student government when you were in college?

A. I was involved in sports (cross country and crew) and fraternity life in college. I also did two internships in the Maryland General Assembly.  I learned so much from those legislative experiences and left with a deeper love of politics and a broader understanding of what it means to serve the public.

Q. Have you ever considered going into politics?

A. I was actively involved in community politics when my wife and I lived in Texas and Massachusetts, serving on many appointed boards and commissions, but I have never run for political office at any level and likely would not do so. I also worked as a campaign consultant and pollster for many years in Massachusetts.  Truth be told, my wife is much braver than I am and has run for the local school board.

Q. You have been teaching at universities for more than 15 years. What has been your favorite subject to teach and why?

A. My teaching background encompasses many areas of political science and public administration, and I have enjoyed teaching both graduate and undergraduate students.  My favorite course to teach was “Leadership for the Public and Nonprofit Sectors.”  I was very excited and eager to teach my first class at Millersville this semester, “Introduction to Public Policy.”  My students are awesome, and I truly look forward to our discussions each week.

Q. What have you enjoyed the most about leading the organization CCERP?

A. I am fortunate to have a meaningful role in helping to inspire the next generation of leaders.  Watching students connect with big ideas such as sustainability and international security or meet influential speakers at our CCERP conferences and events is an honor and privilege.  I am grateful for those unique times when I can see the “aha” moment through their eyes.

Q. What was your favorite part about attending the Walker Center Washington, D.C. trip?

A. Easily the best part is the end of each day when you are driving or walking back to the hotel, and the students begin sharing the best parts of their day.  The discussion is so genuine and just seems to go on forever.

Q. The college of graduate and professional studies at Millersville has only been around for a few years. As dean, how do you believe creating the college has addressed the need for an improved structure in the graduate programs at Millersville?

A. Millersville has always enjoyed a strong reputation as a great undergraduate institution.  My challenge from the first day has been to create a strong message for graduate studies at Millersville that complemented the existing brand image.  We want Millersville to be recognized as a great destination for graduate school with excellent programs and a graduate “experience” second to none.

Q. What do you like to do in your spare time?

A. Spare time is generally spent with my wife, Melanie, and three daughters, Rebecca, Samantha and Katharine.  As the only male in my house, life can be both a challenge and an adventure at any given moment.   Fortunately, they are very patient with me and I am learning all the time about being a husband and a dad.  I also spend a considerable amount of time as a community volunteer working with the Hempfield Soccer Club and with the teen ministry at Hempfield United Methodist Church.  During the summer months, relaxation time (well sort of…) is spent on the Chesapeake Bay with a great little boat aptly named “Out of Control.”  Truthfully, it was already named that when we purchased it, but it still fits.

Q. What was your dream job growing up?

A. When I was young, I wanted to be a lawyer and envisioned myself arguing cases from coast to coast in the courtrooms of America.

Q. What is your greatest accomplishment?

A. My greatest ongoing accomplishment is the young people that I try to positively impact in my everyday life:  helping to raise three caring and compassionate young ladies that understand their responsibilities to the world around them, and helping to coach, mentor and encourage dozens of young people so that they can realize their goals whether they be on the soccer field, in their spiritual life or in a university classroom.

Q. If you could have dinner with any famous person (dead or alive) who would it be?

A. If I couldn’t have the Miracle Mets of ’69 over for a backyard barbeque, I would definitely host a small dinner party and invite two of our founding fathers, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.  I would love to hear their discussions about our constitutional design and get their perspective on how far the grand experiment in democracy has come.  Interestingly, they both died on the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50^th anniversary of American independence.

Dr. Oliver Dreon

Q: Are there any significant moments that happened during your lifetime that inspired you to become an educator?

A: I received my undergraduate degree in physics with plans to focus on research upon graduation. During my sophomore year of college, I began tutoring math and science courses at a local high school and caught the teaching bug. After graduation, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in teaching instead of going to graduate school for physics. After teaching in public schools for 15 years, I began working on a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with the hopes of working with pre-service teachers someday. That someday came a lot sooner than I had expected!  

Q: What was your first job after receiving your college degree?

A: My first job after finishing my master’s degree was teaching middle school math and science and high school physics in a school district in Western Pennsylvania.

Q: What about Millersville University left a lasting impression on you, which in turn made you want to teach here?

A: I was a student at Millersville. I completed the Supervisory Program in 2000 before starting my doctoral program at the Pennsylvania State University. When I first came to Millersville, I was struck by the dedication and commitment of the faculty. Everyone is absolutely committed to student success and learning. I experienced it firsthand as a student and I’ve tried to live up to these same expectations as I’ve moved into a faculty position myself.

Q: You teach several courses in the educational foundations department that relate to technology.  How has technology shaped how student teaching is conducted at Millersville University?

A: Technology can be a powerful catalyst for change in education, especially in teacher preparation programs. We’re already seeing signs of this at Millersville. In the Professional Development School program, pre-service teachers (called interns in the program) are using iPads as reflective tools during their field placements. Interns use the devices to record themselves teaching and then reflect on how they’ve taught. The videos and reflections are shared on a secure server to be viewed by other interns and Millersville faculty. The devices not only help to foster reflection but they help to build a collaborative learning community with faculty and students.

Q: How much of a role do you think technology will play in classrooms in the upcoming years?

A: Some technologists predict that traditional institutions of higher education will be completely replaced by online programs offered by large educational conglomerates. While we’re seeing some of these entities emerging in the educational arena (i.e. Coursera, Udacity, EdX), I still believe that face-to-face learning environments will exist. We’ll just incorporate more technologies to engage, assess and educate students.

Q: Do you believe that students are at a disadvantage if they take an online course versus a face-to-face course?

A: I try to avoid making sweeping generalizations regarding the quality of online instruction. As a student, I’ve had some great online classes and some really poor face-to-face ones. I don’t think the delivery method itself is the deciding factor. Students benefit from having courses that are designed with their learning in mind and structured to support their conceptual development. That can happen effectively in both face-to-face learning environments and online ones as well.

Q: What do you want students to take away from your classes?

A: I hope they understand the role that technology can play in the learning process. While I’m often labeled as “the tech guy” or as a “gadget geek,” I’m fundamentally someone who values learning and someone who sees technology as an educational tool. I hope that my students see this both through the content I teach and through the modeling I do in my courses.

Q: Do you think it’s important for potential teachers to learn to “not take their work home with them,” or do you feel an educator should be immersed in the field 110 percent?

A: New teachers will always bring “their work home with them.” When they’re fresh out of Millersville, our graduates are some of the most caring and dedicated individuals and they want the best for their students. The key is to help them bracket these emotions so they can have productive personal lives without losing their passion for teaching.   

Q: Are you involved in any organizations or current efforts at Millersville University?

A: I am the faculty advisor for the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association organization at Millersville. This student group supports pre-service teachers through a wide range of community programming including the Study Buddies program with local school districts. I’m also the director of the Center for Academic Excellence, which organizes professional development activities for faculty on campus.

Q: Where are you originally from?

A: I grew up in the Pittsburgh area. Though I’ve been working on it for years, people can still hear a slight accent in my voice, especially when I say words like wheel, towel and iron. I’ve purged the word “pop” from my vernacular but the accent remains. 

Q: Where is the most unique place your job has taken you?

A: While I travel a good bit to present at national and international conferences, I think one of the most unique places this job has taken me is online. I’m an avid blogger and my blog (the8blog.wordpress.com) allows me to communicate and interact with people from around the globe. Even though I study the power of social media, seeing people visit my blog from Uganda or getting comments from people in India still continues to amaze me. The blog has been online for three years and more than 35,000 visitors have read one of my posts.   

Q: What do you like to do for fun?

A: I like to spend time with my family. I have two active children who keep me very busy. Besides chasing them around, I enjoy traveling and helping them develop into well-rounded individuals.

Q: What’s your favorite book?

A: In terms of scholarship literature, “Legitimate Peripheral Participation” by Lave and Wenger shook my educational foundation and helped me to see the world differently. In a completely different realm of literature, “The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak was really powerful and moving. Books are like children, it’s hard to pick a favorite one.

Q: If you were given the week off from Millersville, how would you spend it?

A: I would start to tackle the growing list of books on my “to read” list. To be honest, it’s not a written list. I have a stack of books on my desk that beg for my attention daily. Given a week off, I would give them the attention they deserve.

Q: What’s the best way to start out the day?

A: I usually start my day off with a hot cup of coffee and a newspaper. Despite being labeled as the “technology guy,” I still like the smell of newspaper ink and the sound of rustling paper each morning.  I’ve tried to move to reading news online but I miss the routine and pageantry of retrieving the newspaper from the front porch and unfolding it on the kitchen table.

Q: Complete this sentence. I wish that I had _______________.

A: I wish that I had kept my original computer from the 1980s. It would be a cool physical metaphor for evolution and innovation.

Laura Micciche

Q: When did you begin working for Millersville University? 

A: January 2007.

Q: Take us through a typical day in your shoes?  

A: A typical day for me would be to arrive at the Ware Center, go through the events calendar and make sure the details of all events are handled for the day. This is usually anywhere between one and eight events per day. I also handle phone calls and emails requesting event bookings at the Ware Center. At the end of the day, our goal is to make sure everyone feels at home here.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job? 

A: I enjoy the process of coordinating the events; from the initial phone call all the way through completion. 

Q: What range of events do you coordinate at the Ware Center?  

A: A little bit of everything. I coordinate classes and events for various Millersville departments to corporate receptions, fundraising galas and weddings.

Q: Have you always been interested in coordinating events?

A: I have always loved coordinating events. Even when I was growing up, I loved planning family gatherings.

Q: What are your favorite kinds of events to organize at the Ware Center?

A: I really enjoy First Fridays. The entire staff gets involved in putting it together. It always involves many different types of art: Visual, music, food, etc. It’s great to see and hear visitors’ reactions when they come in to the building for the first time.

Q: Do you participate in the arts outside of work? 

A: I enjoy going to see independent films, concerts and visiting museums.

Q: How does the center benefit the community? 

A: The Ware Center gives an opportunity for the local community to come together and experience the arts, while at the same time offering local organizations a place to connect.

Q: Recently the Ware Center waived the fee for Millersville students to attend any Literary Guild lecture at the Ware Center. Why is this a good opportunity for students? 

A: The Literary Guild brings high quality authors to Lancaster County, which offers students that personal connection to an artist or author that they may not necessarily have the chance to experience otherwise.

Q: What were you doing before you came to Millersville?

A: Producing large scale events for national corporations, nonprofits, golf championships and private individuals.

Q: Why did you come to Millersville?  

A: I moved to Lancaster County from Florida to be closer to my family.

Q: What do you enjoy to do outside of work?

A:  I love spending time with my husband and my two dogs.

Q: Have you won any honors or awards? 

A: In 2010, I was honored by Millersville University with the Living the Promise Award for my work on the University’s capital campaign public launch event at the Ware Center. In 2005, I received the U.S. Open Championship USGA Appreciation Award.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve? 

A: Walking into spider webs!

Q: Where are you originally from? 

A: I grew up in Cliffside Park, N.J.

Q: Have you ever traveled outside of the country? 

A: Yes, I have been to Europe, Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean Islands.

Q: If you could book any artist of any kind for the Ware Center, who would it be?

A: If I had a choice of anyone in the world, I would choose Andrea Bocelli. He is an inspiration, his voice is timeless and he is a legend. Can you imagine that voice in Steinman Hall?