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Work Groups

Before launching the Purpose Center and during the first-year, a variety of work groups, including the Purpose Council were created to help inform planning, programming and evaluation for the Center. Some work groups are no longer active now that the launch has happened while others continue to remain active to work on programming and continued evaluation.

Purpose Council

The Purpose Council is the advisory board for the Purpose Center and Purpose-related programming and activities. Members meet monthly and are expected to provide feedback and suggestions as well as participate in work groups as the Center and its programming is developed.

Members:

  • Jorge Atiles, Associate Vice President and Dean for Land-Grant Engagement
  • Jessie Barclay, Student Experience Manager, WVU Purpose Center, Office of the Provost
  • Kylie Barnhart, Assistant General Counsel
  • Sandra Oerly-Bennett, Assistant Vice President, Student Financial Services
  • Ann Berry, Assistant Vice President for Outreach, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Kevin Berry, Vice President of Alumni Relations, WVU Alumni Association
  • Paula Congelio, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  • Tony Dobies, Executive Director of Marketing, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Corey Farris, Dean of Students, Student Life
  • Jen Fisher, Executive Officer and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Governors, President’s Office
  • Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost
  • Lisa Hanselman, Director of the Mountaineer Parents Club, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Chuck Kerzak, Senior Associate Vice President, University Development and Campaign Management, WVU Foundation
  • Ashley Martucci, College of Applied Human Sciences, Faculty Senate Chair
  • Freddie McDonald, Director of Advising and Recruitment, CLASS
  • Leslie Miele, Associate Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Health Sciences Center
  • Meshea Poore, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Matthew Richardson, Director of the Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership and Project 168
  • Ellen Rodrigues, Services Assistant Professor and Director of the LGBTQ+ Center
  • Tara Scatterday, Executive Director, Communications and Institutional Relations, Health Sciences Center
  • Sarah Seime, Director Employee Relations and Internal Investigations
  • Ted Svehlik, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Business Services
  • Amber Tennant, Director of HR Partners, Talent and Culture
  • Evan Widders, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

Purpose Work Groups

Academic Work Group:

Co-Chair: Jorge Atiles, Associate Vice President and Dean for Land-Grant Engagement

Co-Chair: Evan Widders, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education

  • Jessica Blythe, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Extension Education, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design
  • Jason Gross, Associate Professor, Statler College of Engineering
  • Susan Lantz, Teaching Associate Professor, John Chambers College of Business and Economics
  • Ashley Martucci, College of Applied Human Sciences, Faculty Senate Chair
  • Denis Scott, WVU Extension, Community Engagement and Global Awareness
  • Gay Stewart, Professor of STEM Education, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
  • Kristi Wood-Turner, Assistant Dean, Director, Center for Community Engagement
  • James Wyant, Assistant Professor, College of Applied Human Sciences

Alumni Work Group:

Co-Chair: Kevin Berry, Vice President of Alumni Relations, WVU Alumni Association

Co-Chair: Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, University Relations and Enrollment Management

  • Jessie Barclay, Student Experience Manager, Purpose Center, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Kylie Barnhart, General Counsel
  • Corey Farris, Dean of Students, Student Life
  • Stephanie Taylor, General Counsel

Finance Work Group:

Chair: Paula Congelio, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  • Jen Fisher, Executive Officer and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Governors, President’s Office
  • Chuck Kerzak, Senior Associate Vice President, University Development and Campaign

Health and Wellness Work Group:

Chair: Clay Marsh, MD, Chancellor and Executive Dean WVU Health Sciences

Co-chairs:

  • Leslie Miele, Associate Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, HSC
  • Tara Scatterday, Executive Director, Communications and Institutional Relations, HSC

Members:

  • Colson Glover, Trail Specialist & Volunteer Coordinator, Office of Admissions
  • Nathan Harlan - Executive Director, Office of Student Wellness
  • Court Lanham - Director of Diversity, HSC
  • Olivia Pape – Director, Collegiate Recovery Program
  • Cate Schlobohm – Progamming and Outreach Manager, WVU Purpose Center
  • Courtney Weaver - Director, WellWVU
  • Jessica Wilmoth, Senior Communications Specialist, University Relations-Health Sciences

Marketing and Communications Work Group:

Chair: Tony Dobies, Executive Director of Marketing, University Relations and Enrollment Management

  • Amy Allen, Assistant Director for Cancer Prevention and Control
  • Kimberly Becker, Director of Communications, Office of the Provost
  • Brent Bunner, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications for Strategic Initiatives
  • Tara Curtis, Director of Marketing and Communications, WVU Extension
  • Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Nikki Goodenow, Director, Brand and Trademark Licensing, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • April Kaull, Executive Director of Communications, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Rickie Huffman, Marketing Strategist, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Sharon Martin, Vice President for University Engagement and Chief Marketing Officer
  • Heather Richardson, Assistant Dean for Strategic Communication, Chambers College of Business and Economics
  • Dave Ryan, Senior Marketing Strategist, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Emily Seggie, Director of Enrollment Management Technology, University Relations and Enrollment Management

Prospective Student Work Group:

Co-Chair: Lisa Hanselman, Director, Mountaineer Parents Club, University Relations and Enrollment Management 

  • Brian Bollinger, Program Coordinator, WVU Hub
  • Sarah Glenn, Director, Center for Career Development, John Chambers College of Business and Economics
  • Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost
  • Kim McCarty, Executive Director of Regional Recruitment, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Freddie McDonald, Director of Advising and Recruitment, CLASS
  • Meshea Poore, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Physical Space Work Group:

Chair: Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost

  • Ali Anderson, Assistant Director, WVU Visitors Center
  • Ann Berry, Assistant Vice President for Outreach, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Amee Blake, Campus Planner, Planning, Design, Construction, and Scheduling
  • Joel Brown, Director, Brand Experience, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Tony Dobies, Senior Director of Marketing, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Terry Jackson, Director, WVU Visitor Center
  • Shelley Johnson, Interior Design Manager, Planning, Design, Construction, and Scheduling
  • Kallie Nealis, Marketing Strategist, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Steve “Chewie” Stavar, Professional Technologist, InfoStations, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Ted Svehlik, Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Business Services

Retention Programming Work Group:

Co-Chair: Ann Berry, Assistant Vice President for Outreach, University Relations and Enrollment Management

Co-Chair: Matthew Richardson, Director of the Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership and Project 168

  • CJ Belknap, Associate Director, Adventure WV, Outdoor Recreation Center
  • Sabrina Cave, Executive Director of Student Enrichment, Student Life
  • Kristi Wood-Turner, Assistant Dean, Director, Center for Community Engagement

Strengths Work Group:

Co-Chair: Ann Berry, Assistant Vice President for Outreach, University Relations and Enrollment Management

Co-Chair: Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost

  • Jessie Barclay, Student Experience Manager, WVU Purpose Center, Office of the Provost
  • Donald Barnes, Director, Leadership and Organization Development, Talent and Culture
  • Sarah Glenn, Director, Center for Career Development, John Chambers College of Business and Economics
  • Rickie Huffman, Marketing Strategist, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Julie Lockman, Assistant Vice President for Graduate Education, Director of HSC Faculty Affairs, Culture, and Inclusion
  • Kelsie Kittle, Senior Leadership and Organization Development Consultant, Talent and Culture
  • Frederick McDonald, Director of Advising and Recruitment, CLASS
  • Brianna Moyer, Assistant Director of Recruitment, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Kelly Nix, Teaching Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Chambers College of Business and Economics
  • Matthew Richardson, Director of the Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership and Project 168
  • Haley Rosson, Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Extension Education, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design
  • Cate Schlobohm, Outreach and Programming Manager, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost
  • Ashley Watts, Program Director, Honors College First-Year Experience

Week of Purpose Work Group:

Chair: Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, University Relations and Enrollment Management

  • CJ Belknap, Associate Director, Adventure WV, Outdoor Recreation Center
  • Ann Berry, Assistant Vice President for Outreach, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Brian Bollinger, Program Coordinator, WVU Hub
  • Sabrina Cave, Executive Director of Student Enrichment, Student Life
  • Sarah Glenn, Director, Center for Career Development, John Chambers College of Business and Economics
  • Lisa Hanselman, Director, Mountaineer Parents Club, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Kim McCarty, Executive Director of Regional Recruitment, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Frederick McDonald, Director of Advising and Recruitment, CLASS
  • Meshea Poore, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Matthew Richardson, Director of the Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership and Project 168
  • Cate Schlobohm, Outreach and Programming Manager, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost
  • Kristi Wood-Turner, Assistant Dean, Director, Center for Community Engagement

Week of Purpose Programming Work Group

Co-Chair: Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost

Co-Chair: Lisa Hanselman, Director, WVU Parents Club, University Relations and Enrollment Management

Co-Chair: Cate Schlobohm,  Outreach and Programming Manager,  Purpose Center, Office of the Provost

  • Ali Anderson, Assistant Director, WVU Visitors Center
  • C.J. Belknap, Associate Director, Adventure WV, Outdoor Recreation Center
  • Joel Brown, Brand Experience, University Relations and Enrollment Management
  • Sabrina Cave, Executive Director of Student Enrichment, Student Life
  • Leslie Miele, Associate Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Health Sciences Center
  • Meshea Poore, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Anna Riddle, Senior Program Coordinator, Project 168
  • Akeya Simeon, Assistant Director of the Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership, Student Life
  • Kristi Wood-Turner, Assistant Dean, Director, Center for Community Engagement

Week of Purpose, Adventure, Service, Wellness Group

Chair: Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost

  • C.J. Belknap, Associate Director, Adventure WV, Outdoor Recreation Center
  • Sara DiSimone, Care Manager/Behavior Therapist, WVU Carruth Center
  • Leslie Miele, Associate Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Health Sciences Center
  • Kristi Wood-Turner, Assistant Dean, Director, Center for Community Engagement
  • Courtney Weaver, Director, Well WVU

Week of Purpose, Alumni Work Group:

Chair: Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost

  • Ali Anderson, Assistant Director, WVU Visitors Center
  • Geoff Coyle, Director of Volunteer Engagement, WVU Alumni Association
  • Sarah Glenn, Director, Center for Career Development John Chambers College of Business and Economics
  • Jessica McGee, Director of Marketing and Communications, WVU Alumni Association

Week of Purpose, Speakers Work Group

Co-Chair: Whitney Godwin, Director, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost

  • Jen Fisher, Executive Officer and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Governors, President’s Office
  • Kelly Saunders, Director of University Events
  • Robin Yorty, Executive Director of University Events and Liaison to the President

Week of Purpose, Perspectives Work Group

Chair: Cate Schlobohm, Outreach and Programming Manager, Purpose Center, Office of the Provost

  • Meshea Poore, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Akeya Simeon, Assistant Director of the Center for Fraternal Values and Leadership, Student Life