Meet Our Staff

David Thomas headshot

David J. Thomas, Ph.D.

Dr. David J. Thomas has been at West Chester University since the beginning of 2020 and has been in the field of disability advocacy and support for more than a decade. Before coming to West Chester and alongside his disability work, he was a member of the English faculties at Temple University, University of the Arts, Virginia Wesleyan University, Old Dominion University and City University of Seattle.

He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education, an M.A. in Applied Linguistics, and a B.A. in Dramaturgy from Old Dominion University in his hometown of Norfolk, VA. He completed additional graduate work at the Linguistic Society of America Summer Institute at Stanford University and the Institute on Disability at Temple University. 

Dr. Thomas is the Vice President of Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society, which recognizes high achieving college and university students with disabilities. He also serves the wider disability community as the Treasurer for the Board of Directors of Disability Rights Pennsylvania, where he also chairs the Mental Health Advisory Council.

He lives in Delaware County with his family and enjoys spending his time going to concerts, gardening, doing needlecrafts (especially Blackwork) and exploring neighboring towns and villages.

Gabriellia Hartz

Gabriellia Hartz, M.S.

Hi, Y'all! My name is Gabriellia Hartz. I go by Gabbi for short. I am a two time alumna of West Chester University (MS 2022 - Higher Education Student Affairs and Policy program (HEPSA) and BS 2020, where my focus was on education). I have a kitten name Meave, love taking care of plants, and my favorite color is purple!

Susan Durkovic Headshot

Susan Durkovic, RPR, CRC

I joined WCU in 2000 as a CART Captioner. CART stands for Communication Access Realtime Translation, which is a speech-to-text interpreting service for anyone who needs communication access. As an advocate for those who are d/Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, I am passionate about making the spoken word accessible through providing and advocating for accurate, quality captions to those who rely on it.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, especially, at the beach, and playing ice hockey.

Linda Laskaris

Linda Laskaris

I joined WCU and have worked in the OSSD since 2012 and enjoy connecting with students.  I am married and have three children.  I enjoy spending time with family (especially my grandson), baking, scrapbooking, Broadway shows and TRAVEL!  I’ve been to 35 states (including Hawaii several times), several Caribbean islands, a few destinations in Canada and Mexico, Switzerland and Hong Kong.  I have no pets but I do claim a "granddog" named Sabrina!  

Bryan Jones & Dante

Bryan Jones

Dimitri Angelis

Dimitri Angelis

  • Graduate Assistant

Hello, my name is Dimitri Angelis and I am a second-year graduate student in the HEPSA program. Through my first year, I met so many wonderful people and was a part of many great experiences that helped me get to where I am now. I still have a ways to go but I want to continue to build upon what I've learned so far in OSSD so I can help students to the best of my ability.

Elena Rece

Elena Rece

  • Graduate Assistant

Hello! My name is Elena Rece. I am graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2018 with a Bachler’s in Psychology. I am currently pursuing my masters as a student in Higher Education Student Affairs and Policy program (HEPSA). I love a good true crime show, traveling, gardening, and collecting crystals.

Chris Popielarz

Chris Popielarz

  • Graduate Assistant

Christopher is a first-year MS in General Psychology student in the College of the Sciences and Mathematics. Christopher received his Bachelor of Arts from La Salle University in 2019 majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice and minoring in History and Economics while playing collegiate D3 rugby.

He has experience working with children and families as a former Social Work Case Manager at the Philadelphia Department of Human Services and as a current Victim Assistance Coordinator at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Child and Youth Protection. He serves as a member of the Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy where he helps to develop strategies in outreach and victim advocacy in Philadelphia. Christopher is interested in various aspects in clinical psychology such as the progression of trauma-based psychopathology, differences in personality in the progression of psychopathology, and cognitive appraisal and feedback lops systems.

Proctoring Center Staff

  • Email Proctoring Center Staff 
  • Proctors are unable to take/make phone calls while proctoring, but you may contact our office (610-436-2517) to speak with a proctor

Graduate Assistant/Academic Coach Office

 
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