New Faculty & VPs Announced

Marywood University deans, Shelby W. Yeager, M.Ed., LAT, ATC, CSCS and James J. Sullivan, M.Arch, RA, AIA, recently announced new faculty members for the 2023-2024 academic year. By program, new faculty include: 

Art

Christina Taylor, Assistant Professor of Practice and Director of the Art Therapy Program. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Art Education from Sam Houston University, Huntsville, Texas. She holds a master’s degree in Art Therapy from The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, N.Y. Ms. Taylor has also completed a post-master’s certification through Sandplay Therapists of America and is currently in the process of becoming a Registered Sandplay Therapist.

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Jenny A. Havlovick, Ph.D., Tenure-track Assistant Professor. Dr. Havlovick earned a Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio; a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in Stevens Point, Wisc. 

Matthew Devivo, Instructor of Practice. Mr. Devivo earned a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa.

Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, and Healthcare Administration

Nadine Burton, Instructor of Practice. Ms. Burton earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing Education from the State University of New York at Delhi in Delhi, N.Y., and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. 

Nutrition and Dietetics

Stephanie Bender, instructor of practice. Ms. Bender is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in leadership and administrative studies at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. She also earned her graduate and undergraduate degrees in nutrition and dietetics from Marywood. 

Physician Assistant 

Lindsey Cohen-Whitaker, assistant professor of practice. Ms. Cohen-Whitaker earned her master of science in physician assistant studies from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early and Primary Teacher Education, summa cum laude, from the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pa. 

Psychology and Counseling

Cheryl Banull, Ph.D., Per Annum Instructor (half-time). Dr. Banull earned her Ph.D. in School Psychology and her master’s degree in Educational Psychology from Loyola University-Chicago in Chicago, Ill. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology at the Pennsylvania State University and is a Certified School Psychologist in Pennsylvania.

Gail Clark, M.A., Per Annum Instructor. Ms. Clark earned her Master of Arts degree in Psychology and Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, at Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. 

Leah Popple, Psy.D., assistant professor of practice. Dr. Popple earned her Psy.D. and master’s degree in clinical psychology from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa., and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pa. 

Jeff Rutter, Psy.D., Professor and Director of Clinical Training. Dr. Rutter earned his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, his M.T.S. in Theology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and his B.A. in Psychology/Religious Studies from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn. 

Jenny Wildrick, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Practice. Dr. Wildrick earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Capella University, in Minneapolis, Minn.; a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pa.; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Keystone College in La Plume, Pa. 

School of Architecture 

Arturo Pavani, Ph.D., Assistant Professor. Dr. Pavani earned his Ph.D. Stipendiary Fellowship, M.Arch scholarship, and B.ArchSc at Politecnico di Torino (Polytechnic University of Turin). 

Ryan Scavnicky, M.S., Assistant Professor. Mr. Scavnicky earned a Master of Science degree in Design Theory and Pedagogy from the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, Calif., as well as Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Architecture degrees from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio.          

School of Business and Global Innovation

Loreen Powell, Ph.D., Professor. Dr. Powell earned a Ph.D. in Information Systems and a Master of Science degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as well as a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Accounting from East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, Pa.

School of Education 

Suzanne Galella, Ed.D., Associate Professor and Director of the School of Education. Dr. Galella earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership in Higher Education from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She earned a master’s degree from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa., and a bachelor’s degree in English/Criminal Justice from the University of Scranton in Scranton, Pa. 

School of Social Work 

Kaitlin Anderle, M.S., Assistant Professor of Practice and Director of the BSW Program. Ms. Anderle earned her Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work degrees from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. 

Michelle Ostroski, Ed.D., Assistant Professor of Practice. Dr. Ostroski earned a Doctor of Education in Education and Leadership in Healthcare from Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha, Neb.; a Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in Behavioral Health from Marywood University in Scranton Pa.; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, Secondary Education, and English from Temple University in Philadelphia Pa. 

Susan Lettera, M.S.W., Instructor of Practice and MSW Lehigh Valley Program Coordinator. Ms. Lettera earned a Master of Social Work degree from Widener University in Chester, Pa., and a Bachelor of Social Work from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa.

Science, Math, and Computer Science

Kimberly Stanek, Ph.D., Per Annum Instructor. Dr. Stanek earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., and her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, N.Y.

New VPs

In addition to the new faculty members, Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., President, recently announced the new tenures of a Vice President for the Student Experience and an Associate Vice President for Mission Services, including:

Jeffrey Kegolis, Ph.D., Vice President for the Student Experience. Dr. Kegolis holds a Ph.D. degree in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University. He also is a graduate of Marywood University, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education with Secondary School Certification. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a Neuroscience Concentration from King's College.

Sister Rachel Terry, IHM, M.A., Associate Vice President for Mission Services. Sr. Rachel is a graduate of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago where she earned her Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies. While at CTU, she studied under some of the nation’s premier Scripture scholars and theologians and participated as a practicum student in adult faith formation.