Provost's Post

Third-Year Communication Sciences and Disorders Major, Lily Kilgore, Named Miss West Chester University 2026

West Chester University student Lily Kilgore was crowned Miss West Chester University (WCU) during the 27th live competition held Saturday, February 7, in Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall on the University’s campus. Kilgore is a communication sciences and disorders major with a deaf studies minor from Lititz, PA. Gabby Kopczynskie, Miss WCU 2025, completed her final duty by crowning Kilgore.

Kilgore, who is also a member of the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band Color Guard, is prepared to spend the upcoming year advocating for accessible education and representing West Chester University in the greater community. Her Platform was “Every Mind Matters: The Importance of Accessibility in Education.”

“I can’t wait to work with so many organizations on and off the WCU campus to make education more accessible for everyone,” she said.

Ten finalists took the stage at Miss WCU. The event celebrated students across campus, focusing on community service, leadership, and academic excellence. Scholarships totaling more than $4,500 were awarded to the contestants. Participants competed in talent, casual wear, and evening gown categories, and completed an on-stage interview. Joining Kilgore in the Top 3 was Ariana Lane, a third-year media and culture major, and Omnia Tagouma, a third-year communications major.

The event was emceed by Miss WCU 2016, Ashley Lyles, and featured special performances from Under A Rest A Cappella, WCU Dance Team, as well as WCU’s mascot Rammy.

“I’m still in shock and cannot believe I won, but I’m so excited for this upcoming year,” Kilgore said.

Miss WCU is supported annually by the WCU Pageants Student Organization, the Miss WCU Alumni Chapter, local businesses, and numerous volunteers. Miss WCU was created in the 1998-1999 academic year as a residence hall activity at Killinger Hall and has since grown into a full-scale production and show. Since its development, the Miss WCU Scholarship Organization has provided more than $70,000 in scholarships to hundreds of WCU students.

(Courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

University’s Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center Seeks “Big Ideas” for 2026 Idea Challenge

Let your big idea become a reality: Enter the 14th Annual Business Idea Challenge at West Chester University and jumpstart your business. The WCU Business Idea Challenge is now open and all ideas are welcome. Ideas that have not yet been commercialized and can be used as the foundation for a new business are eligible.

The goals of the competition are to foster idea generation and to facilitate commercialization of business ideas. Submissions are due on February 28. Competitors will vie for $11,500 in prize money. Co-Hosted by the University’s Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center, the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic, and The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the WCU Business Idea Competition promotes creativity and idea generation by recognizing innovative ideas for new products, services, and technology.

Once again the Presenting Sponsor of the competition is Meridian Bank. WCU Business Idea Competition partners are SCORE of Chester & Delaware County and i2n, an initiative of Chester County Economic Development Council.

Ideas will be reviewed by business angels and business advisors. The top ideas will move on to the Round 2 Fast Pitch video submission and the top two submissions in each track will move on to final round in-person pitch competition, which will take place on Wednesday, April 15. Business experts, Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic Angel Investors, and members of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce will judge the idea pitch. Winners will be announced and awards will be presented at the conclusion of the in-person competition.

There are four tracks in this competition:

• WCU Undergraduates
• WCU Graduate Students, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff
• Early-stage Startups
• Chester County High School Students

Competitors will be asked to explain their ideas for a product, service, or technology that can be used as the foundation for a new business, focusing on description, uniqueness, and target market.

Prizes include:

• Grand Prize: $2,500
• First Place Prize in each track: $1,500
• Second Place Prize in each track: $750

Pattie Diggin M’96, executive director of the Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center, organizes the Business Idea Challenge. She says it “provides an opportunity for early-stage businesses to test out the market and fine tune their messaging at the final phase of the competition [the in-person pitch].”  Diggin reports that Charles Mbata, founder of MyMonitor and a finalist in the 2025 competition reached out to her in January to update his company’s progress and said that “The Business Idea Challenge played a formative role in helping shape both my confidence as a founder and the direction of the company.”

For more information, e-mail cottrellcenter@wcupa.edu.

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

SUBMIT AN ENTRY HERE

Wellness Promotion Peer Educators Create Award-Winning Public Service Video

The peer education team in the University’s Office of Wellness Promotion has been honored with first place in a contest in which college students nationwide were challenged to create a public service announcement (PSA) as part of the National Red Ribbon Week alcohol and other drug (AOD) awareness and prevention program. The award includes $5,000 in prize money for AOD prevention initiatives on campus.

WCU’s 55-second video submission is titled Life is a Puzzle: Choose the Right Pieces. It features one student offering another student an alcoholic beverage at a party. The second student hesitatingly accepts the drink but is confused upon reaching into the glass and pulling out a puzzle piece. “Some pieces look like they belong,” the narrator says. “But happiness that lasts was never poured from a bottle or packed into a pill. … So if you’re holding onto a piece that doesn’t quite fit, don’t force it.”

The Wellness Promotion Peer Educators used puzzle graphics to piece together a montage of students studying, playing sports, and enjoying other healthier alternatives to substance use before the original two students are shown pouring out the drink’s puzzles pieces onto the floor. Under the leadership of Bridget Looby, assistant director of Wellness Promotion, the team worked to write the script, act in the video, and manage all aspects of production of the video. “We wanted to enter the contest to allow students to gain experience translating a message into consumable content and use their voices creatively to make a positive impact on their own campus,” explained Looby. “Our department is currently utilizing a logic model that focuses on alcohol and other drugs, and this opportunity allows our team to address drug misuse and substance-free choices. “Entering the contest is valuable because it challenges the team to think creatively about an issue that affects our campus community and the importance of sharing this message with other students.”

WCU’s Wellness Promotion Peer Educators are certified by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrator (NASPA) with training in topical areas such as alcohol and other drugs (AOD), mental health, sexual health, and well-being.

(Story courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

WCU to Host Screening of Justice Bell Documentary 

In recognition of Women’s History Month, West Chester University of Pennsylvania’s Women’s Commission presents a screening of the Justice Bell documentary to explore the enduring role of women’s voices in advancing justice, equity, and democratic leadership. Through education, dialogue, and civic engagement, this event invites the campus community to reflect on history, amplify women’s leadership, and consider our shared responsibility in shaping a more just future. The Justice Bell toured Chester County in 1915 to support the women’s suffrage movement. The final stop on the tour was the Chester County Courthouse. There will be a 20-minute documentary followed by discussion led by the woman behind the Justice Bell Project, Amanda Owner. 

To register, scan the QR code in the flyer above or click the button below.

WHEN: Thursday, March 19th @ 12:00-3:00 PM (Stop by as you can - Faculty, Staff, and Students welcome)
WHAT:  20 minutes screening the Justice Bell Documentary and reading of the Declaration of Independence followed by a luncheon & networking event
WHERE:  Sykes 10B

Register Here

Pennsylvania Theatre Institute at West Chester University: A Highly Regarded Summer Program for Young Artists Opens Registration for its 8th Year

Founded in 2018 by married arts educators Charlie DelMarcelle and Katherine Fritz, PTI opens registration on February 5, 2026, for its eighth summer (they were unable to host camp in 2020).  Welcoming approximately 120 students each summer, PTI serves young artists ages 8–18 through two distinct programs: Young Company (ages 8-14 ) and the Pre-College Intensive (high school students). Sessions regularly sell out, and many families return year after year—often enrolling multiple children and watching them grow with the program.

A Young Company typical day balances structure and creativity. Students take morning  classes. In the afternoon, with the help of professional teaching artists, they create and rehearse their very own student-driven final showcase performance, which they perform for their families and friends at the end of the two-week session. The focus is intentionally placed on process over product, emphasizing creativity, ensemble work, and friendship-building, rather than rushing toward a final performance.

“We wanted to build the program we wished had existed when we were kids,” says DelMarcelle, who is also an Associate Professor of Theatre at WCU. “Unlike many theatre camps, we don’t try to mount a full-blown musical production in two weeks.”

PTI’s two programs offer distinct experiences tailored to different age groups. The Pre-College Intensive, taking place June 18 – 27, 2026, is designed for motivated high school students considering theatre study in college. It’s a 10-day immersive, on-campus experience. Participants live on campus in Brandywine Hall, dine in WCU’s dining commons, and train alongside university faculty and professional teaching artists. Enrollment is capped at 24 students, allowing for individualized coaching and one-on-one attention. By the end of the program, students leave with audition-ready monologues and songs, professional headshots, and a clear understanding of the college audition process.

Instruction at PTI is led by a team of experienced theatre professionals, many of whom are working artists based in the region. Teaching artists bring real-world industry experience into the classroom, combining professional standards with a deep commitment to mentorship and youth development.

PTI’s impact extends beyond its campers. The program is also committed to the growth of West Chester University students, providing paid summer employment and hands-on teaching experience for WCU students who are also emerging artists and educators. PTI also established the PTI Prize for an Emerging Theatre Educator, a scholarship supporting graduating WCU students pursuing careers in arts education.

For West Chester University, it’s a mutually beneficial partnership. WCU’s College of Arts & Humanities provides the in-kind use of class, production, and performance spaces, allowing the program to remain reasonably priced. And PTI strengthens West Chester University’s role as a cultural and educational hub. College of Arts & Humanities Dean Jen Bacon says, “WCU is proud to support the Pennsylvania Theatre Institute. The faculty and students are creating a dynamic and fun learning environment for these young artists and their families, and it is a joy to see the ways that programs like PTI reflect our commitment to community engagement, arts education, and providing access to high-quality learning experiences on our campus.” 

(Courtesy of WCU Department of Communications & Marketing)

Learn More About PTI

WCU to Host Frederick Douglass Institute/PASSHE Collaborative Conference and Debate Tournament (March 31-April 1, 2026)

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI) Collaborative Conference and Debate Tournament is a signature academic and leadership forum dedicated to advancing equity, social justice, and inclusive excellence across the fourteen PASSHE institutions. Rooted in the legacy of Frederick Douglass, the conference seeks to cultivate intellectual inquiry, critical dialogue, and collaborative action that addresses persistent disparities in higher education and society.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Eddie Glaude, Jr., one of the nation's most prominent scholars. Dr. Glaude is an author, political commentator, public intellectual and passionate educator who examines the complex dynamics of the American experience. His writings, including Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul, In a Shade of Blue: Pragmatism and the Politics of Black America and the New York Times bestseller Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for our Own, take a wide look at Black communities, the difficulties of race in the United States and the challenges we face as a democracy. 

The FDI Conference serves as both a scholarly platform and a professional development space, bringing together faculty, administrators, students, staff, and community partners who are committed to transformational change. The conference is guided by the mission of the FDI, which focuses on promoting multiculturalism, supporting historically underrepresented scholars, and expanding opportunities for teaching, research, and service aligned with Douglass’s principles of education, liberation, and civic engagement.

FDI Conference Schedule

Dr. Tammy James Presented with PSAC’s L.P. Hill Unity in Sports Award 

West Chester University's very own Dr. Tammy James, a longtime faculty member in the Department of Public Health Sciences and now also special assistant to the president for student engagement and retention, was among 17 honorees identified recently by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in its inaugural class for the L.P. Hill Unity in Sports Award. The systemwide award recognizes the contributions of an individual or group on each member campus that, through intercollegiate athletics, epitomizes the promise of Unity, Equity and Access For All. Dr. James, who has championed the success of all students throughout her 25+ years as a beloved faculty member at WCU, was recognized prior to the tip-off of the men’s home basketball game against Lock Haven on Saturday, February 21.

“Dr. James excels at making students realize their potential, so they can activate their success,” said Director of Athletics Terry Beattie. “She inspires students’ hopes and, as an advocate, is their strongest ally. Dr. James deserves this statewide recognition, and West Chester University is especially proud of her and her continued commitment to all students. Every student should have a Dr. James in their corner.”

Dr. James’ career centers on helping students from all academic entry points. Among her many success-related duties, Dr. James also represents the Division of Academic Affairs on the CARE team to ensure that concerns for students’ well-being are properly routed and addressed. Prior to her current role, Dr. James was faculty associate for student engagement and retention. Beginning at WCU in 1994, Dr. James has overseen the development of the highly successful Athletic Mentoring Program, which provides personal and academic support for all WCU student athletes. She applied this model to develop a thriving program entitled COMPASS, which provides academic mentoring support to multicultural students throughout campus. Dr. James continues to provide leadership to the COMPASS program. 

“I’ve learned so much about our students by leading two very telling programs,” she said in a recent interview. “I feel honored that students have let me into their lives to see what their needs are, what the barriers are, and what will enable them to not only succeed at our University, but to thrive. I love applying what I have learned to all of our students.”

Dr. James was a finalist for the Pariser Faculty Mentor Award by the PSAC in 2018, which was created by the Division II Student Athlete Advisory Committee to honor an institutional faculty member who has demonstrated dedication, support, and guidance to student-athletes and the institution's athletics program. The award was posthumously named for the inaugural winner of the award in 2013, Dr. Dave Pariser of Bellarmine University, who passed away January of that year.

More About PSAC’s L.P. Hill Unity in Sports Award: PSAC’s L.P. Hill Unity in Sports Award is named after Leslie Pinckney Hill, the first president of Cheyney State Teacher's College. From 1913 to 1950, he was the principal of the Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia and oversaw its establishment as Cheyney State Teachers College.  The Phi Beta Kappa, Harvard-educated son of a father who had once been enslaved taught at Tuskegee Institute. Mr. Hill was a renowned educator, writer, poet, and community leader. In 1927, a year after the first documents that created the Pennsylvania State Normal School Athletic Association, he argued for the inclusion of Cheyney in the Association's bylaws which had been left out in the initial drafting.  The Board of Principals immediately rectified this error, and all 14 state-owned institutions were then included in the Association's initial governing documents.

(Courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

Employers’ Trending Move to Skills-Based Hiring Will Give 1,000+ WCU Students an Advantage at Job & Internship Fair on March 4

Spring semester is officially on for college students, and that means the hunt is on for jobs following graduation and internships slated for the summer/fall. At a time when the job market is considered fair, WCU students remain in a favorable position for the Job & Internship Fair that will take place on MARCH 4, from 12-4 p.m., in the Student Recreation Center, located at 275 North Campus Drive in West Chester. That’s because there has been a steady increase over the past year in employers turning more and more to skills-based hiring — 70% of employers are now using the approach. 1,000+ WCU students will get “extra credit” with employers for demonstrating examples of situations where they used problem-solving skills, tied their coursework and extracurricular activities to professional skills used while working during college, etc. The 130 employers in attendance at the fair will range from nonprofits to small, mid-size and large corporations. WCU’s Twardowski Career Development Center organizes WCU’s annual Job & Internship Fair.

There’s other good news; more college recruiting is happening in the spring. The fair will provide the landscape for productive student-employer engagement. By speaking one-on-one with employers, students’ goals will be to secure job and internship interviews for later dates. What will most likely land an interview?

“Some skills employers are looking for include problem-solving, teamwork, written communication, emotional intelligence, and a strong work ethic,” shares Jennifer Rossi Long, career expert and executive director of WCU’s Twardowski Career Development Center.

Reflecting on today’s job market for entry-level positions, Rossi doesn’t think that AI is the boogeyman. “AI can assist an employer, but it can’t solve a problem ethically. AI is not a team player. AI does not take initiative. These are all inherently human attributes, and they are a great benefit to our students because they gain these skills inside and outside of the classroom. Also, these are skills that don’t point to specific industries; they amplify to all areas of the workforce.”

Career-readiness is central at WCU and it doesn’t wait for the Job & Internship Fair to take place. Much is currently being done in advance by those at WCU’s Twardowski Career Development Center to help students become comfortable with the process of interviewing, including providing a Career Closet that features free professional clothing for the big day. Another popular feature is the use of “Big Interview,” where students can do a mock interview on their own by recording an interview and playing it back to hear what they said, how they said it, as well as watch their non-verbal gestures.

Some WCU professors are even incorporating “Big Interview” in their classrooms by choosing sets of questions specific to their subject areas. “This tool is proving to be a great way to integrate career-readiness in the classroom,” says Rossi Long. “The platform puts the power of the interview in the hands of the student whenever the student needs to access it the most.”

 The fair is as supportive as it is intentional. The following are just some of the many innovative features that will be helping students feel their most confident when connecting with employers on MARCH 4:

• Ear plugs to help with those who have sensitivities to noise.
• Dedicated quiet spaces for those who need to regroup or take a break from the fair’s energy.
• Alumni volunteers who will offer encouraging words to students and check-in to see if they have questions or need support (i.e., practice a handshake, practice their pitch, find an employer)

Learn More About the Career Center
List of Employers Available on Handshake

(Courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

Lunchtime Lectures Offer Nuggets of Sustainability Information

Every Wednesday at lunchtime, the University’s Office of Sustainability (OoS) hosts informative programs that explore how WCU scholars, staff, and students explore and apply principles of environmental, social, and economic sustainability in their research and practice.

Sustainability Research and Practice Seminars take place Wednesdays from 12 to 12:50 p.m. in person in Sykes Student Union Room 255 A/B and via Zoom (https://wcupa.zoom.us/j/95413261652, meeting ID: 954 1326 1652, passcode: 880242). Seminars are free and open to the public. The in-person audience can enjoy free cookies and coffee.

The Spring 2026 series opened on February 4 with Dr. Casey R. Schmitt, Interdisciplinary Studies and Exploratory Studies, discussing Tuko Pamoja: Climate Perspectives from East Africa and Fulbright-Hays.

Sustainability Research and Practice Seminars are sponsored by the Office of Sustainability, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and the Sustainability Council’s Scholarly and Creative Activities Committee.  The schedule of lunchtime lectures is as follows:

February 18 - Nadine Boukhari, graduate student in WCU’s Industrial/Organizational Psychology master’s program, and Lisa Smart, Post-Landfill Action Network: Return on Investment Analysis of Reusable To-Go Containers

February 25 - Dr. Ellie Brown, Psychology: Can Environmental Chaos Get “Under the Skin” to Influence Child Development? Implications for Policy and Practice

March 4 - Kristopher Benedict, Art + Design: Landscape Painting and Contemporary Landscapes

March 18 - Bruce Brockman, Vice President of Operations, Goodwill Keystone Area: The 4 P’s of Sustainability: Prosperity, Planet, People, Perpetuity

March 25 - WCU graduate students lead a North Campus Bird Walk: Led by Paige Jones (School Counseling master’s program), Ariel Whaley, (Geography master’s program), Lea Rubenstein, Music Education master’s program).  In-Person Only: Meet in Sykes Lobby, no Zoom for this program. 

April 1 - Dr. Devin Arne, Music Theory, History, and Composition, and Silvana Cardell, Creator of TERRA: Bodies + Territories on TERRA: Bodies + Territories

April 8 - Dr. Carlos A. Morales-Ramírez, Geography and Planning: Protecting Gentle Giants: Sustainability Challenges in Whale Shark Ecotourism

April 15 - Dr. Amir Golmohamadi, Nutrition: Organic and Non-Organic Foods, Pesticide Residue, and Sustainability

April 22 - Dr. Margaret Hudgings and Molly Hanford, West Chester Green Team: West Chester Porchfest and Sustainability

April 29 - Dan Spracklin, Founder and CEO, SoMax: Transforming Waste into Resources: An introduction to Hydrothermal Carbonization. For this date only, meet in Sykes 210. 

(Courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

LEARN MORE ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AT WCU

Warm Up This Winter with WCU’s Science on Tap Talks

 The University’s free monthly Science on Tap talks by WCU experts continues this semester at Barnaby’s Restaurant (15 South High Street, second floor). Programs take place monthly on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Each session features a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and research, new information, and discoveries. The program invites audience participation with opportunities to ask questions, spark discussion, and connect with fellow science enthusiasts. And of course, the audience can order from Barnaby’s food and beverage menus for a full dining and learning experience. 

The University’s Science on Tap series is modeled after similar programs that pair scientific presentations with a restaurant atmosphere. WCU’s series aims to make scientific concepts accessible; connect the public with approachable, knowledgeable scientists; and overcome mistrust/misunderstanding of science. It is directed by Dr. Christopher Roemmele, associate professor and assistant chair of the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, who wants to “bring science out of the labs and the halls of academia and share it with the public in an informal setting.  “My goal is to promote science and science literacy. My colleagues here at WCU do wonderful and thought-provoking science in their diverse respective fields. And I want the greater West Chester community to be made aware of that. We do a lot of teaching, but we also do great research here, and that should be communicated.”  For a complete schedule click the button below.

For additional information, contact Dr. Roemmele. 

(Courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

Science on Tap Spring Schedule

WCU Professors Co-Executive Produce Documentary Exploring the Impact of Guaranteed Income for Educators

West Chester University is proud to announce the release of The Hands That Shape Tomorrow, a new documentary co-executive produced by two WCU faculty members: Professor of English Laquana Cooke and Associate Professor of Digital/Global Media Jeremy C. McCool.

 The Hands That Shape Tomorrow offers a powerful, intimate look at how guaranteed income initiatives can transform the lives of early childhood educators. Directed by Emmy Award–winning filmmaker Kyra Knox (Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia, executive produced by Allen Iverson), the documentary follows early childhood educators participating in an 18-month guaranteed income program. Through candid interviews and personal stories, the film examines how financial stability affects those who nurture our youngest children—both inside and outside the classroom—and reveals the ripple effects of economic security on their families, schools, and entire communities.

Cooke is also the Program Director of West Chester University’s iCamp, a free week-long camp for High School students from Philadelphia that provides immersive experiences in digital media and promotes self-expression and social justice. McCool is one of the camp’s faculty experts.

“This film allows audiences to witness the real-world consequences of financial insecurity among educators—and what becomes possible when that burden is lifted,” said Cooke and McCool.  

“By centering the voices of early childhood educators, we hope to spark meaningful conversation about how investing in those who care for our youngest learners ultimately benefits us all.”

The Hands That Shape Tomorrow will debut in a series of screenings beginning in mid-February, bringing together legislators, educators, nonprofit leaders, and community stakeholders. Several screenings will take place in locations close to West Chester, offering the regional community a unique opportunity to engage with the film and its themes.

(Courtesy of WCU Communications & Marketing)

VIEW FILM TEASER

How to Submit Your Event to Online Campus Calendar

The WCU Calendar is populated by events submitted in 25Live, WCU's room reservation and calendaring program. Faculty/Staff may submit events to the calendar by selecting "WCU Featured Events Calendar" in the "Resources" section of the 25Live Event Form.

WCU Event Calendar How to Submit your event to wcu calendar

TLC Resources for Faculty 

As a new resource to prepare a course for a new semester, the Teaching & Learning Center has developed a Course Set-Up Checklist that includes many useful links.

Course Set-Up Checklist 

AI continues to revolutionize teaching and learning. In recognition of the myriad ways that faculty may utilize AI in their courses, there is no university-wide policy on AI use in coursework. Instead, faculty should clearly articulate their own policies on AI use in their syllabi. Depending on your discipline, it may be worth specifying acceptable uses of AI on an assignment-by-assignment basis, so as to make sure students are clear on when and how they can use AI, it at all. 
The Teaching & Learning Center has a robust set of resources to assist in this area including example syllabus statements that reflect a variety of different perspectives and positions.

Artificial Intelligence Resource Page

The Academic Calendar is available on the Registrar's website.  The Spring 2026 Final Exam schedule is available at this link: Spring Final Exam Schedule .

Academic Calendar

FREE Campus Shuttle Transportation Available to Faculty, Staff, & Students

WCU Shuttles are free to WCU students, faculty, and staff and are a quick and easy way to travel around campus, West Chester Borough, or to the Exton Train Station.

An accessible bus containing a wheelchair lift is available for students and employees with permanent or temporary mobility issues. Details on how to access this service is available on the Accessible Transportation webpage.

On Campus Shuttles:
The University provides shuttle service between North and South Campus during the fall and spring semesters as well as limited service during the winter and summer sessions. The Gold Route runs daily from 7:15 a.m. - 2:15 a.m. on weekdays and from 10:00 a.m. - 2:15 a.m.  on weekends (during fall and spring semesters).  For more information on shuttle schedules, click the button below.

**Students using the shuttle service should be advised that it is impossible to provide timely transportation between North and South Campus within the standard 10-minute class break. Therefore, students should plan and develop class schedules that allow time to be transported between the two locations through the use of open class periods.**

Campus Shuttle Information

New! WCU Training Directory Launches

The WCU Training Directory serves as a centralized “storefront” for training opportunities across the university.  Users can search for trainings by name or keyword, or filter offerings by department to quickly find opportunities that meet their needs. While the directory brings these trainings together in one convenient location, it does not host the trainings themselves. Selecting a training title will direct users to the hosting department’s webpage, where the training is managed and delivered.

Trainings featured in the directory are designed to benefit a broad audience of faculty and staff and are not department-specific.

WCU Training Directory

Professional Headshots Available via Iris Photo Booth at Twardowski Career Development Center

Students, Faculty, and Staff now have access to the Iris Booth, a free professional photo booth located in the Career Development Center (Lawrence 225). Students, Faculty, and Staff can stop by anytime Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4pm to get a photo taken, no appointment needed.

FAST Schedule & Offerings

Check out what IS&T has on tap for the semester! The Faculty and Staff Training (FAST) unit supports WCU faculty and staff in becoming proficient in various applications, in addition to providing best practices in trending platforms (e.g., OneDrive, D2L, RamCloud). Courses are designed to accommodate all levels of learning and allow users to build on acquired skills. Click below for the full schedule or take self-paced options.

FAST Schedule

FREE LinkedIn Learning Content Available to WCU Faculty, Staff and Students

LinkedIn Learning with Lynda.com content is an industry leader in online training, with a digital library of over 180,000 videos, covering a wide range of technical, business, software, and creative topics. West Chester University faculty, staff and currently enrolled students have unlimited access.

Access LinkedIn Learning

Sykes Student Union Launches 2026-2027 Advance Reservation Process

Sykes Student Union is eagerly planning the 2026-2027 Advance Reservation process. Advance Reservation is the process that Sykes Union and Student Activities implemented in 2022 to assist student organizations and university departments reserving space within Sykes Student Union for future events. The form will open on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 8:00 am – Friday, February 20, 2026, at 4:30 pm. To prepare, we invite you to review ⁠the FAQs on our website and note the tentative timeline below.  

This year, we're offering Drop-in Consultation Hours with our Assistant Directors! Speak with a member of the Sykes Student Union staff for personalized, one-on-one support in preparing your Advance Reservation form. 

• Monday, February 16 from 12:00 PM- 1:00 PM in Club 1871, SECC  
• Monday, February 16 from 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM in CSI, Sykes Student Union
• Wednesday, February 18 from 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM in CSI, Sykes Student Union 

The start of a new semester brings a fresh opportunity to support your exciting events and programs in Sykes Student Union and The Commons. We look forward to doing that together with you!