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Alumni Spotlight
Dennell Hines
Dennell Hines, 30, of Fort Washington, Maryland, attended Westmoreland County Community College from 2015-2017 and is our featured alumnus.
With Hines living out of state, how did he hear about Westmoreland?
“I went to Allegany College of Maryland in 2013. I tried out for their D1 basketball team," he says.
"My first year, I felt like I should have gotten picked up, but I didn’t. The second year, I felt like I probably didn’t do enough but halfway through the season, we were playing Westmoreland, and my teammates and I said to ourselves that we could definitely play for that school. So myself, Jordan, and Caleb walked up to the coaches and said, ‘We want to come to your school and play basketball.’ I knew I could do some great things at Westmoreland. The coach told us that there were open tryouts in March and to come up. We made the team and the rest is history,” explains Hines.
Hines chose liberal arts as his major because the business path at Westmoreland seemed a little too tedious for him, plus it would mean fewer math classes. After graduating, he obtained his bachelor’s of Business Administration degree at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. He is currently a tech coordinator at Eastern High School but is mainly a business coach. As the CEO of Secure Consulting, LLC, he teaches people how to leverage their assets and credit and improve their adult report card (i.e. their credit score).
For Hines, Westmoreland provided more than just an academic learning experience; it provided a lifelong learning experience, too.
“I give a lot of props to Westmoreland and Coach Stu and my teammates,” says Hines. “When I started, I was really uncomfortable. New home. New demographic. I was away from my twin brother and just ended a serious relationship. I knew I had to change my mindset in order to become comfortable. But I realize if I can do this, I can do anything. I realized that I was enough. I was a go-getter. Westmoreland was six hours away from home and I was able to conquer it. I went from a kid who had nothing to a kid who didn’t want to leave Pennsylvania; but reality set in and I knew I had to go back home after graduation. I felt like I didn’t have a lot of shots at life, but I took this chance at Westmoreland, and when I came back home, I came back a changed person. I’m proud to say I’m an alumni of Westmoreland County Community College.”
But just as life happens, so do some setbacks.
Hines reflects, “I unfortunately hit a huge financial setback which led me into a dark place. I was able to secure a mentorship with someone I believed in, and who taught me three things: you can’t run a business without having your credit in order, never use your own money to run your own business, and create an LLC to protect yourself and assets. This has all brought me to where I am today. I am a risk-taker. I am the true epitome of ‘If I can do it, you can do it, too’.”
When looking back at his college days, Hines has a particular memory that stands out.
“My fondest memory was when I was on stage as a guest speaker for a Westmoreland County high school,” he recalls. “My basketball coach chose me and two other teammates to speak to them about being an athlete in college, transitioning from living in Maryland to moving to Youngwood, and the challenges that I faced. I like public speaking and do it now for a living. My goal one day is to speak in front of 40,000 people.”
Hines gives credit to the important people in his life.
“My teammates: Jordan Johnson, Marcus Mullen, Jalen Stevens. My boys were my bromates and I went through a lot with them. They helped me grow up. We lived in Hempfield Heights while we were at college and I still talk to them today. I’d also like to mention Coach Stu Silverberg, and my science professor, Rick Oliver,” says Hines.
He’d also like to thank his twin brother for inspiring him with the poem, “See It Through” by Edgar Allen Poe. He sent it to him when he was outside of Founder’s Hall (now the Student Achievement Center). He kept telling him that he better not leave. That if he stays, it will change him forever. This was his test. He’s proud to say that he passed with flying colors.
His advice to current college students?
“If I could go back and talk to a twenty-year-old me, I would tell myself to focus on me and not others. I would have told young Dennell to see the resources around him and that I didn’’t have to keep going all over the place to find help that I had the whole time. Don’t give up on yourself so fast. Just because today it doesn’t seem like it’s working doesn’t mean that tomorrow won’t. Learn. Find opportunities. Work as hard as you can. Be proud of what you have done so far,” concludes Hines.
For tips on financial literacy, you can visit Secureconsulting.info or on Instagram @Dennellwillwin
Emily Beerbroer instructs culinary students at The “Culinary Corner Cafe” at the Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center.
Justin “JT” Guy, 21, of Pittsburgh, attended Westmoreland County Community College from 2022-2024 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Guy decide to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“With coming to Westmoreland County Community College, I had one goal in mind and that was to become the first one in my family to graduate college. I wanted to break a generational curse in my family of not graduating/finishing college,” says Guy. “Westmoreland allowed me to take my general elective classes now and save money, too.”
At Westmoreland, Guy studied liberal arts. He states, “I chose liberal arts as my major. That came from wanting to save up some money because as we know, college is not cheap, even if you get financial aid. Also, I wanted to go further with my education, so choosing liberal arts as my major has helped me with my business classes that I am now taking.”
After graduating, Guy had plans to attend St. Vincent College, but an unfortunate event took place.
“I had plans to attend St. Vincent College but then I actually never got to step foot on the campus. There's reasoning behind why that is. On July 23, 2024, which is my birthday, my grandma passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly. It was a very hard and tough time for me because me and my grandma were very close. So after going through all of that and thinking it over, I decided that it wouldn't be good for me to go in person to college with that weighing so heavily on my mind. I am now attending Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and I am loving it there. I am still a business administration major with a focus on organizational leadership. My anticipated graduation date would be in the Spring 2026. I am planning to honor my grandma whenever I graduate from SNHU,” says Guy.
When looking back at his college days, Guy can recall two fond memories.
“Two of my most fondest memories at Westmoreland County Community College would include Westly’s Giving Tee that we did around Christmas for children in Westmoreland County. The second memory would be graduation day because that generational curse was finally broken after receiving my diploma,” exclaims Guy.
Not only did Guy have a favorite instructor, he had two.
“My two favorite instructors would include Dr. Reamer and Professor Zappone. They are both extremely helpful and very informative in their lectures. They want to see the best out of their students and they always come in with a smile on their face. That, in return, makes the class and their college journey a good and enjoyable experience,” says Guy.
During his time at the college, he was involved in the TRIO program. (TRIO is a federally funded support program that strives to help students succeed in college, continue to enroll in courses and either graduate or transfer to a senior institution.)
Guy states, “It is often said that in college you will meet people who will become so influential, not only in your college journey, but also in your life. TRIO was the biggest influence in my college journey. I participated in a couple activities, like the Christmas cards that go to Saint Ann's Home. The TRIO Program has some fantastic staff, including my advisor, Jesse Somers. He was a wonderful advisor and helped me out a lot.”
Now that he has graduated from Westmoreland, what is he up to now?
He started off working with the Pittsburgh Steelers in their merchandise department for training camp during the summer and then at the stadium for their home games. He is currently employed at JCPenney's and on his way to becoming a leader on duty. He plans to stay there for his future career by trying to become a district manager.
Guy has been involved in his community.
He was a part of the Westmoreland Community Action’s Advocates 4 Change board, which is a group of individuals who are trying to end the stigmas around youth homelessness and homelessness all together.
“I was homeless when I started my college journey but I never let anything or anyone stop me from my goal of being the first college graduate in my family. So never give up! I loved my time at the college,” Guy shares.
In his spare time, Guy likes to cheer on the Pittsburgh Steelers and is also a fan of MTV’s, The Challenge.
There are certain people during Guy’s journey that he would like to mention.
They are his mom, brother, sister, dad, grandma, great grandma, uncles, Jesse Somers, Maria Loffredo, Julie Zappone, Dr. Reamer, his donor and everyone who has walked alongside him throughout my journey.
His advice to current college students?
“Don’t let your past define your future. Your current situation doesn’t mean it’s your future situation. Give 100 percent in everything you do and enjoy every minute of the journey,” says Guy.
Westmoreland robotics student, Katie Lynn, is the first female machinist at her company. Click here to read more about Katie and her story.
Click here to read a Tribune-Review article featuring Westmoreland alum, Victoria “V” Jennings.