PennWest graduate Leanna Sciabbarrasi has been honored with a 2025 PERC Educator Excellence Award, a distinction presented annually by the Pittsburgh Education Recruitment Consortium (PERC) to recognize outstanding promise and dedication among emerging educators.
Sciabbarrasi, a 2025 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, distinguished herself through her academic achievements, leadership, and service to the campus community. During her time at PennWest California, she was a member of the Honors Program, a Rutledge Scholar, and leader of a campus worship team, demonstrating a commitment to excellence both in and outside the classroom.
Beyond her studies, Sciabbarrasi nurtured a lifelong passion for horseback riding, which she describes as a grounding and joyful part of her life.
This summer, she returned to her hometown of Shenandoah County, Virginia, where she began her career as a first-grade teacher with Shenandoah County Public Schools—the same district that helped shape her educational journey.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community that raised me,” Sciabbarrasi said. “I’m looking forward to helping young learners grow, explore, and thrive.”
Sciabbarrasi’s recognition continues a proud tradition of excellence among PennWest University’s education graduates. This marks the second consecutive year a PennWest student has received the PERC Educator Excellence Award, following Faith Smith, a 2024 graduate of PennWest Clarion.
The repeated recognition highlights the strength of PennWest’s teacher preparation programs and the university’s ongoing commitment to developing compassionate, capable educators ready to make a difference in their communities.
Learn more about alumni success and career opportunities through PennWest’s Career Center, which empowers students to explore, prepare and apply their skills and experiences to achieve their own definition of career and life success.