Welcome New Staff Members

Hunter Conrad, Facilities Management

Hunter comes to Pitt-Johnstown with significant work experience as a Cleaner at the University of Pittsburgh and Server/Bartender at Pour on Center restaurant in Ebensburg.  Hunter also has a background agriculture and customer service after graduating from Penn Cambria High School.

Shane Valko, Athletics

Shane Valko returns to Pitt-Johnstown as the Head Women’s Wrestling Coach after serving as an Assistant Men’s Wrestling Coach from 2010-2016.  He also is the owner of Silent Victory LLC, an athletic training and development company since 2019.  Shane, a 3-time NCAA All-American, was a highly decorated member of the Pitt-Johnstown Wrestling Team winning a NCAA Division II National Championship in 2010.

Pam Conrad, IT-Mailroom

Pam Conrad joins the Pitt-Johnstown IT Department in the role of Mail Room Services Assistant after serving as a temporary employee since 2022.  Pam was previously employed at Leonardo DRS and worked in Cambria County government.  Pam treats our UPJ students very well in her daily interactions at the Mail Room.

Kile Zeller, Athletics

Kile Zeller joins Pitt-Johnstown as the Head Men’s & Women’s Swim Coach and Aquatic Director after serving as the Assistant Women’s Swim Coach  and Swim Lesson Coordinator at Saint Francis University since 2022 along with other swim coach experience while serving on the USA Swimming LSC Development Committee since 2018.  Kile graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in Sociology.

Madalyn Ankney, Admissions

Madalyn Ankney joins Pitt-Johnstown as an Admissions Counselor after serving in several student capacities in the Pitt-Johnstown Admissions Office, including most recently as a Senior Student Ambassador after graduating with a degree in Business-Marketing and minors in Communication and Information Systems. Madalyn also served as a Social Media Marketing intern for the Little Fox Foundation and as a Floral Designer in a local flower shop.

Ethan Dabbs, Conference Services

Ethan Dabbs comes to Pitt-Johnstown as a Conference Manager after earning a M.Ed. in Higher Education: Student Affairs and a B.A in Sociology from the University of Virginia.  While at UVA, Ethan was a highly decorated member of their Track and Field team earning NCAA First Team All-American status, an ACC Championship, and qualified for the USA Olympic Trials in javelin. Ethan coached javelin and has worked in UVA’s Office of Engagement and for the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies.

Jacob Ealy, Athletics

Jacob Ealy returns to Pitt-Johnstown as an Assistant Men’s and Women’s Wrestling Coach after graduating with a degree in Business-Marketing in 2024. Jacob was an outstanding member of the Mountain Cat wrestling team as he was a 4-time NCAA Division II All-American and a 2024 National Champion. Jacob most recently served as an assistant wrestling coach at Ashland University and as Physical Trainer at Five Points Sports Training and Fitness.

Julie Petro, Purchasing

Julie Petro comes to Pitt-Johnstown as the Campus Purchasing Manager. Julie was most recently a teacher in the Shanksville-Stonycreek School District after severing several years in purchasing roles at Center Rock, Inc. in Berlin, PA and Lincoln Contracting and Equipment Co., Inc. in Somerset. Julie also serves as the Director of the Highlands Volleyball Club in Berlin, PA.

Michael Wehler, Athletics

Michael Wehler joins Pitt-Johnstown as the Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance and Student-Athlete Services. Mike was most recently the Head Wrestling Coach at Mercyhurst University from 2007-2025 where he coached the Lakers to a 188-90-2 record and had multiple NCAA Division II champions, all-Americans and regional champions. Mike has a B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Lock Haven University and a M.A. in Physical Education from UNC-Pembroke.

Anthony Dean-Neil, Athletics

Anthony Dean-Neil comes to Pitt-Johnstown as the Head Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Coach and Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Coach. Anthony most recently was the Head Track and Field Coach at Conemaugh Township High School where he coached several state champion athletes. Anthony has an extensive Track and Field background including competing at Kennesaw State University, serving as the State Chairperson of Track and Field for the Georgia Games, and serving as the Assistant Track Coach at Monmouth University.

Patricia McVicker, Nursing

Patricia McVicker joined Pitt-Johnstown as the Administrative Assistant and Clinical Placement Manager in the Nursing Department. Patricia has previously served as the Administrative Assistant for the Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Fine Arts Department at Saint Francis University for 10 years and as a Secretary to the Academic Dean at Mount Aloysius University. Patirica attended Cambria Rowe Business College where she majored in Legal Assistant.

Laura Corbett-Contorchick, Health & Counseling Services

Laura Corbett-Contorchick was hired as the Executive Director of Health & Counseling Services at Pitt-Johnstown. Laura has a B.A. from IUP in Political Science /Pre-Law and a M.A. from IUP in Community Counseling. She most recently served as a Coordinator of Counseling Services at Saint Francis University and has served as a Behavioral Specialist Consultant for Assist, Inc. in Johnstown and has also worked with Cambria County Probation Bureau. Laura also has been an adjunct instructor at Pitt-Johnstown and IUP.

Barbi Vena, Athletics

Barbi Vena joined the Pitt-Johnstown Athletic Department as an Athletic Trainer this fall. Barbi comes to UPJ as a Science teacher in the Harmony Area School District where she also served as an Athletic Trainer for the school district. She has served in many Athletic Trainer roles with schools like PSU-Altoona, Mount Aloysius and University of Texas-San Antonio where she also served as a lecturer. Barbi has B.S. in Kinesiology from Penn State and master’s degrees from the University of Alabama (Exercise Physiology) and UT-San Antonion (Educational Leadership).

Gabriel Helsel, Conference Services

Gabriel Helsel joins our Conference Services Department as a Financial and Events Assistant.  Gabriel comes to UPJ after working at Staples as a Tech Services & Sales Associate for the past several years.  Gabriel has a B.S. in Business Administration from Seton Hill University and a A.S. in Applied Science in Accounting from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

Departures

Samantha Decker, Facilities Management

Janet Grove, Facilities Management

Kimberly Mabon, Information Technology

Nick Ramirez, Athletics

Lydia Snyder, Conference Services

2025 Staff Job Promotions and Changes

Margaret Borodach – Administrative Assistant, Business & Enterprise Division

Kathleen Clawson – Executive Director of Operations & Services

Michael Drahos - Associate Vice President of Student Affairs & Athletics

Abby Gearhart – Director of Athletics

Kyrsten Joseph – Head Strength & Conditioning Coach

Jessica Marines – Administrative Assistant, VPAA Office

Suzanne McIntosh – Director, International Programs

Dawn Miller – Executive Assistant to the President

Sherri Rae – Director of Campus & Community Engagement