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Alumni Spotlight
Leah Malavite
Leah (Firestone) Malavite, 39, of Greensburg, attended Westmoreland
County Community College from 2006-2008 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Malavite want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“The college had and continues to have a wonderful hospitality program. It was close to home, affordable, and had the best instructors around. I had the best experience at this college,” says Malavite, who studied to be a dietetic technician.
After graduating, she enrolled at the University of Alabama and obtained a Bachelor's
of Science in Food and Nutrition. Malavite then obtained her Master's of Science in
Food and Nutrition at IUP, and is currently working on her Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition
at Kansas University
Medical School. She is also board certified in renal nutrition.
When looking back at her college days, the memories that stick out the most would be going on the NYC food tour in 2007.
Malavite exclaims, "My favorite memory was going on the NYC food tour in 2007. There
was a fairly large group of us. We toured the Food Network, multiple restaurants,
Times Square, and even went to the top of the Empire State Building. This trip is
something that I still reminisce
over.”
Did Malavite have a favorite instructor?
“Cheryl Shipley. Cheryl had the brightest personality and smile. I enjoyed every moment of her classes. She presented information in a way that made you want to learn more. You could see how passionate she was about her career,” says Malavite.
Malavite was not formally involved in any clubs but would have liked to have been.
Now that she has graduated from Westmoreland, what is she up to now?
“I currently have a few different jobs. I work part-time for DaVita dialysis. Working
in renal nutrition is very rewarding. I love my patients and the company I work for.
I am also an Adjunct Instructor here at Westmoreland, CCAC, Penn State Fayette, and
Seton Hill, where I teach
classes like Nutrition, Nutritional Cooking and Baking, Foods 1, and Intro Principles
to Nutrition. I also consult RD at a skilled nursing facility,” says Malavite.
Once she was finished at Westmoreland, she was able to move into Food and Nutrition
Service related roles such as Nutrition Services Director at a few different long-term
care facilities. Westmoreland prepared her to pursue an entry-level position into
management and equipped
her with the tools to advance her career. It also gave her the confidence she needed
to pursue higher education and move up the ladder within the workforce.
Behind the scenes, Malavite has many supporters that she would like to thank.
“I am surrounded by the most amazing guys anyone could ask for... my husband, Zachary (the most perfect man in this world; I could not be where I am today without his love and support); my sons Jason, Alex, Zebby and Teddy; and my fur cats Eli and Penny.”
Malavite is also active in her community. She is currently involved with the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is also the secretary on the board for the Council on Renal Nutrition through the National Kidney Foundation. In her spare time, she loves baking. Her sons love to help, and taste, all the goodies that they prepare in their kitchen. She also enjoys music, concerts and reading.
Her advice to current college students?
“Never give up. Your dreams are closer than you realize,” says Malavite.
Londe Dandar
Londe (Brewer) Dandar, 58, of Greensburg, attended Westmoreland County Community College in 1997 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Dandar want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“Westmoreland was affordable, had an excellent reputation, my program of interest was offered, and a critical component was the on-site daycare with amazing staff and faculty. I had three children, I was a single mom who also worked to provide for my family. (Note* Daycare services are currently not available at the college). I always felt my children were safe and cared for and this allowed me to concentrate on my studies and be successful,” says Dandar.
While at the college, she studied dental hygiene and liberal arts. She received her associate of arts from Westmoreland. It provided an excellent foundation, especially being a non-traditional student who had been out of school for nearly eleven years. After graduating, she enrolled at St. Vincent College and obtained two degrees: Bachelors of Arts Psychology/Education and Masters of Science in Special Education.
When looking back at her college days, the memories that stick out the most would be all of them.
Dandar exclaims, “All of my memories at the Youngwood campus are wonderful!! I strongly suggest that anyone who wants to earn a college degree start here. I continue to take noncredit courses here as well.”
Did Dandar have a favorite instructor?
“My professors were amazing! They provided me with the skills, knowledge, and tools to be very successful at a four-year college, but this is a tough one because I appreciated all of my professors. If I had to choose, Dr. Uschak for Microbiology and Anatomy and Physiology, and Mr. Denitti for Algebra was first to come to mind,” says Dandar.
Dandar was not formally involved in any clubs but would have liked to have been.
“With three children, studies, and work, there really was no time, but I would have liked to. There were a variety of clubs available,” explains Dandar.
Now that she has graduated from Westmoreland, what is she up to now?
“I currently work as a high school biology teacher at Pittsburgh Public Schools, in addition to 9th and 10th grade learning support. Westmoreland provided me with a strong foundation to be successful at a four-year school and the biology knowledge and skills to instruct students in the subject successfully,” says Dandar.
Dandar is also active in her community. She helped launch/ coordinate the Lead Safe Westmoreland Program for Westmoreland County, which helps families remediate unsafe lead paint from their homes to prevent learning disabilities, heart, liver issues, and miscarriages. In her spare time, she likes making pottery, reading, watching movies, listening to music, and helping others in need.
She has two daughters. While attending Westmoreland, she tragically lost her four-year-old son in an accident and the college was very instrumental in not letting her give up on her education. She is so very grateful to have attended an institution who really cared about her and her family in such a difficult time. This meant more than she can express in words.
Her advice to current college students?
“Make the most of your education. Take advantage of all your opportunities to grow. You never know what you will utilize in the future,” says Dandar.
John Dale Hartman
John Dale Hartman, 70, of Penn Township, graduated from Westmoreland County Community College in 2021 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Hartman want to attend Westmoreland?
“I wanted to further my understanding of cyber security, which was my area of study. In addition to my investigative practice, as a prior Chief of Police, I was developing a software program to assist police departments in the investigation of cybercrime, a platform we worked with considerably in the Southwest Regional Police Department. To better understand the construction of such a software, I went to Westmoreland to learn more about technology,” says Hartman.
Hartman’s training is continuous. He works with Cisco, as well as Udemy, both online platforms.
While at the college, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) was very important to Hartman. PTK is the only nationally acclaimed honor society serving America’s two-year colleges and associate degree-granting institutions. He even developed a fund to assist students who could qualify for PTK but did not have the funds to apply.
Hartman did have a favorite instructor when attending Westmoreland.
“Mike Caglia was my favorite instructor. He teaches a wide spectrum of IT courses. He is a true professional who sincerely cares,” states Hartman.
Hartman is currently self-employed; his business is John Dale Hartman Private Investigations,
which specializes in legal, insurance and corporate investigations. Likewise, he is
CEO of Razor Enterprises, LLC, the company which is developing the software program.
Westmoreland
prepared Hartman for his current career by furthering his understanding of cyber security
issues.
Outside of work, Hartman is the past District Governor of Rotary District 7305 and currently a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Licensed Investigators. He is completing a book on his work in the capture of a child murderer fleeing Oklahoma and attempting to reachPhiladelphia. It is titled “Good Cop. The Police Work that Derailed a Monster.” He has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 11 years.
His advice to current college students?
“Take a hold of the greatest opportunity available to you, your education. Thanks for all the college provided to me and all who graduated from the college,” says Hartman.
Leslie Savisky
Leslie (Miller) Savisky, 44, of Jeannette, attended Westmoreland County Community College in 1998 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Savisky want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“I attended Westmoreland because I obtained a scholarship for graduating in the top 10% of my graduating class. I paid $2 a credit and the cost of my books. It was one of the best decisions I ever made - leaving community college debt free. I was able to save money and, with the help of my parents, my financial contribution, and bonds from my grandparents, I started out in life with no student loans. I also loved learning (still do!) and I wanted to see what options were out there for me, career wise. I started working when I was fourteen, and I knew that I'd need to further my education in order to financially support myself,” says Savisky.
While at the college, Savisky studied criminal justice, but also had a love of creative and professional writing and psychology. After receiving her A.A.S. Degree in Criminal Justice, she went on to obtain her B.A. degree in sociology from Seton Hill University.
When looking back at her college days, the memories that stick out the most would be the people.
“I loved meeting new people. I am very chatty and always enjoyed getting to know people,” says Savisky.
Savisky states, “My favorite instructor was Dr. Tom Soltis. I just thought he was so cool with his long ponytail and colored jeans. He reminded me a lot of my dad, and Soltis was very easy- going and had an open mind. Taking his sociology class made me think about things that I either took for granted, or never really considered before. Tom Soltis's class taught me how to think, not what to think, which I believe, is the goal of higher education.”
Savisky was not formally involved in any clubs but wished she had been.
“I was not involved in any clubs, but I wish I had been. I lived on my own, so I also worked full- time and had a busy social life, as most kids do at that age.”
Now that she has graduated from Westmoreland, what is she up to now?
“My career has been very eclectic! After graduating from Westmoreland and Seton Hill, I worked in the social service field for close to15 years. But I always had this yearning to write - I wrote a lot of short stories, songs, poems and cartoons from the time I was a kid. After a few traumatic events, I decided to write a story, which was fictional, but was a way for me to get out what was going on in my head. It was a very cathartic process. I self-published that novel, Other People's Words, just shy of 40-years-old and right before the pandemic began in February 2020. I went on to self-publish another novel, Almost Too Late, in 2023 and will publish my third book, These Broken Pieces, on August 10, 2024.
Additionally, I am a contributing writer for Pittsburgh Parent magazine and the Tribune Review, specifically Monroeville Times Express. I also mentor a student who will be attending Westmoreland next year and wants to be an author. I present self-publishing talks at local libraries and, as if that's not enough, I also substitute teach and do billing for a therapist office. Above all, writing is my true passion. I have started a fourth book, which is based on a cartoon I wrote as a teenager,” states Savisky.
The college has prepared Savisky for her current career by teaching her to think for herself. She loved that all of my professors had different personalities and backgrounds. She enjoyed all of her classes and never once regretted a course she took at Westmoreland. She learned something from all of them.
Savisky is also involved in her community.
“Along with a fellow author, I began Dream Chasers, which is a group for indie authors, artists and entrepreneurs. We network, brainstorm, create goals and hold each other accountable. In general, we just have a good time getting together to discuss ideas. We meet monthly at the library where my friend works. I also belong to another writing group, which is more for critiquing each other's work. That group of women there... brilliant, amazing writers. I love getting feedback on my writing and being able to help others. I am also on the welcoming committee at our church, which I began with a friend and fellow parishioner,” says Savisky.
Savisky has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 13 years and has one daughter, Leah, age 6 (going on 16). They have two dogs; Satchel (16) and Sadie (13).
Savisky exclaims, “I wouldn't be where I am - writing and doing what I love every day - if it wasn't for my husband, Jeff, who is truly my rock (I know, so cliche). He is very grounded and has always been so supportive. My parents have always been so very supportive. They continuously tell people that their daughter is an author, and they are just so proud of me - I'm happy that I've made them proud!”
In her spare time, she loves to read! She enjoys writing, so it doesn't feel like a job to her. She enjoys traveling and loves the beach or a quick trip to Lake Erie. The water is very soothing to her. She enjoys swimming and hiking.
Advice to current college students?
“Do what you love. Have fun, but study and work hard. You are setting the foundation for the rest of your life... no pressure!” says Savisky.
Author’s note*
Savisky’s books are available for purchase online on Amazon. Her first book is also on Barnes & Noble’s website. Locally, she sells her books at Feathers Gift Shop in downtown Irwin and at West Yough Shoppe in Scottdale. She also has her books in three other independent stores: Werner Books & Coffee - Erie, PA, Bookends Bookstore & Homeschool Resource Center LLC - Grove City, PA, and The Cracked Spine - Buffalo, NY.
Savisky will be at Norwin Library’s Author Book Fair on September 7th. She will be conducting two self-publishing talks in October. One on Oct. 10th at Penn Area Library in Penn Township and one on October 15th at the Monroeville Public Library.
Female chefs, like Westmoreland alum Julia Jumper, are finding sweet success in a
male-dominated industry. Read the Trib story here.
Amy Hixson
Amy Hixson, 43, of Scottdale, attended Westmoreland County Community College starting in 2001 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Hixson want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“I began my college career after graduating high school. When I first started, it was because it was close to home. I didn't really like college and felt out of place since I was such an introvert, so I quit and began working full time at an early learning center,” Hixson said.
“Years later, I was encouraged to start my educational journey again and the TEACH program would help me to accomplish that. Due to working full-time, as well as outside activities and other obligations, I only took one class a semester. However, after many years, I finally graduated with my associates and graduated with honors,” says Hixson.
While at the college, Hixson studied Elementary Education with a focus on PreK - 4th grade. She is currently in her third semester at Carlow College, working on a degree in Elementary Education.
When looking back at her college days, Hixson does have a fond memory that sticks out.
“ Graduation... it was so special, especially after attending for so long and having so many obstacles. The early childhood education classes were memorable, too. They prepared me well for my time at Carlow,” says Hixson.
Hixson states, “It’s hard to choose a favorite instructor. First, there was Professor Brandi Slider. She encouraged me every step of the way! Then, Professor Wielbruda-Mayhew. He helped me find a love of math and helped me understand concepts I couldn't even understand when I was in junior/senior high school.”
The college has prepared Hixson for her current career by making her a stronger, more professional teacher. It has helped how she creates her classroom.
Hixson is married to her husband, David and enjoys attending church and gardening, and works at Frock Childcare Learning Center, LLC.
Advice to our current college students?
“Stay committed! You can accomplish what you started... even if it takes you WAY longer than a traditional student,” she concluded.