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Acting President
president@pennwest.edu
Bernotsky assumed the role of acting president on March 1, 2023. She will become interim president on July 1, 2023, when founding president Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson transitions to a new role with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and a national search for PennWest’s next permanent president begins.
Before her appointment by the PASSHE Board of Governors, Bernotsky served PennWest as its executive vice president and chief operating officer, providing guidance and direction in all operational areas. Since October 2022 she has focused on operational excellence, strategic enrollment management, and long-term plans for financial sustainability.
Bernotsky is on loan to PennWest from West Chester University, PASSHE’s largest university, where she has served as executive vice president and provost since 2017. In this role she led the Academic Affairs division, which housed five colleges and roughly 850 faculty, and was responsible for leadership in the areas of budget and labor relations.
A former associate provost and dean of The Graduate School at WCU, Bernotsky has extensive experience in undergraduate and graduate admissions, enrollment management, financial aid, student support services, curriculum development, program review, and assessment.
Education
D.Phil. in Politics, University of Oxford
M.Phil. in Politics, University of Oxford
M.A. in Sociology, Temple University
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
fredette@pennwest.edu
As PennWest’s chief academic officer, Fredette is responsible for assisting the president in achieving the mission, vision, and values of the university. She serves as a strategic leader for the Academic Affairs division through collaboration with other university divisions, serving as a university representative at functions with external constituents and organizations, and creating community relationships.
Education
Ph.D. in Biochemistry, SUNY Buffalo
Ed.M. in Chemistry Education, SUNY Buffalo
B.S. in Biology, Daemen University
Deputy Provost
engstrom@pennwest.edu
Engstrom is responsible for advising the provost on matters within Academic Affairs and directing the individuals within the division. He provides leadership and oversight for operational activities, including working with the deans to create and execute a student-focused academic schedule, implementing and assessing student success and academic support programs, monitoring program enrollments, and engaging in discussions with APSCUF, the faculty union. He also is responsible for monitoring implementation of the synthesized graduate and undergraduate academic programs.
Education
E.D.D. in Instructional Leadership, Duquesne University
M.Ed. in Career and Technology Education, Bowling Green State University
B.S. in Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Affairs
sfenske@pennwest.edu
Fenske collaborates with offices across the university to address institutional effectiveness, institutional research, compliance and audits, assessment, and accreditation. She provides leadership to align those efforts with PennWest’s strategic plans and priorities, drive retention initiatives, assess organizational excellence, and foster a culture that promotes exceptional experiences for students, faculty and staff.
As chief student affairs officer, Fenske advises the university president on all aspects of student life and advocates for students’ non-academic and co-curricular needs. She supervises staff who oversee areas including institutional research; auxiliary, dining and commuter services; student conduct; events services; campus programming; health and wellness; counseling; services for students with disabilities; center for career and professional development; public safety; and student housing/residence life.
Education
Ph. D.in Advancement of Learning and Service in Higher Education, Cardinal Stritch University
M.S. in Student Personnel Administration, Concordia University of Wisconsin
B.A. in Communication, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Vice President for Advancement and Clarion Campus Administrator
jgeiger@pennwest.edu
Geiger provides strategic direction for the university’s comprehensive advancement program, including brand strategy and marketing, communications and public relations, fundraising and donor relations, and alumni engagement. He leads teams responsible for shaping the university’s public image and reputation directly and through the media; marketing PennWest to future students and their families; raising funds to provide student scholarships and support PennWest and its campuses; working with campus-based foundations; and engaging with California, Clarion, Edinboro and PennWest alumni.
As campus administrator for PennWest Clarion, Geiger acts on behalf of the university president, as needed, to oversee campus-specific projects, direct and coordinate emergency operations, provides general oversight and management for Clarion’s Golden Eagles athletics, provide remarks at on- and off-campus events, and act as the university liaison and campus spokesperson when the president is on another campus.
Education
M.H.A. in Health Administration, Ohio University
B.S.C. in Communication Systems Management, Ohio University
Interim Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management
freed_s@pennwest.edu
Freed is responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight of the university's enrollment management efforts related to student recruitment and retention. She leads development of the university’s strategic enrollment management plan, an integrated recruitment and admissions effort that supports PennWest’s strategic goals. She collaborates with offices across the university on initiatives that support the success of recruitment strategies and maximize student outcomes.
Freed provides leadership to the offices of admissions, recruitment, financial aid, and grant-funded programs, including TRIO and TRIO Upward Bound.
Education
M.A. in General Psychology, Adelphi University
B.A. in Counseling and Human Services, University of Scranton
Vice President for Finance
Petrosky oversees the university’s financial operations, facilities management, safety and risk management, and technology services, including information technology, systems and operations, financial planning and analysis, student accounts, and business analytics.
She is responsible for developing the university budget and ensuring fiscal integrity and sound financial reporting incompliance with accounting and auditing standards. Under her leadership, the Fiscal Affairs staff prepares financial and budget statements; coordinates external audits; administers all unrestricted, restricted, agency, plant fund and auxiliary accounting operations; and handles cash management, banking and grants accounting. The university’s liaison to campus-based foundations, Petrosky also works closely with campus leaders, the State System and external auditors to keep PennWest on a sustainable path.
Education
Certified Public Accountant
M.S. in Business Administration and Accounting, California University of Pennsylvania
B.S. in Business Administration and Accounting, California University of Pennsylvania
Chief of Staff and Executive Director for University Affairs
kmoran@pennwest.edu
Repinski is an adviser to the president and serves as a conduit through which members of the community — trustees, students, faculty and staff — can communicate with the president. She facilitates interactions between PennWest and its internal/external stakeholders, including university governance bodies, the Council of Trustees, the State System of Higher Education, and local, state and federal agencies. She leads the People and Culture Taskforce and Presidential Commissions, which promote a culture of inclusiveness, collaboration, and learning and development.
Repinski provides strategic direction and operational oversight for the University Affairs Division which includes the Office of the President, Government Relations and Advocacy, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Education
M.S. in Sport Management: Intercollegiate Athletic Administration, California University of Pennsylvania
M.H.A. in Healthcare Administration, Louisiana State University
B.A. in Communications, University of Maryland University College
Senior Associate Vice President for Human Relations
guiser@pennwest.edu
As PennWest’s chief human resources officer, Guiser provides direction and strategy on issues involving employee recruitment and retention, onboarding, employee and labor relations, benefits and compensation, and performance standards and assessments.
He ensures that all HR plans, programs, communications, and activities are aligned to the mission, strategic objectives and brand identity of PennWest.
Education
B.S. in Business Logistics, Penn State University
SHRM Senior Certified Professional
Special Assistant to the Acting President
heinerichs_s@pennwest.edu
Heinerichs brings more than 17 years of executive leadership in the fields of specialized and regional accreditation and health sciences to his role as adviser to the acting president. He is on loan to PennWest from West Chester University, where he was dean of the College of Health Sciences.
Heinerichs has held in a variety of leadership roles, including interim assistant vice president; faculty associate for teaching, learning, and assessment; interim chair of the WCU Sports Medicine Department; and program director for West Chester’s inaugural entry-level master’s degree in athletic training.
Education
Ed.D. in Higher Education Academic Leadership, Widener University
M.A.T. in Health Education, University of South Carolina
B.S. in Athletic Training, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
