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Alumni Spotlight
Sandra Keller, 66, of North Huntingdon, attended Westmoreland County Community College from 1996-1998 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Keller want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“I was set to go to Westmoreland right after high school to study computer technology, but accepted a job offer instead. Fast forward nearly 20 years later, I was being laid off but given the opportunity through a Pennsylvania program where they would help fund my education to further myself. That's when I decided to finally go to college,” exclaims Keller.
At Westmoreland, Keller earned two associates in science degrees: Graphic Design and Printing/Production. She also attended additional classes the summer following graduation to receive a diploma in microcomputer processing.
When looking back at her college days, Keller has fond memories that stick out.
“I remember receiving recognition at an awards dinner for the highest GPA in my field for that year. All of my instructors were great, but I really loved my graphics classes, photography class and public speaking class,” says Keller. “I was also part of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, the National Dean's List, Vision/Media Club and Computer Club.”
Now that she is a graduate of the college, what is she up to now?
Keller states, “A month before graduation, I interviewed and accepted a position as a graphic designer in proposal development with Electronic Data Systems (EDS). The day after graduating, I flew to Dallas, TX, to begin my training. I worked in their Pittsburgh office, eventually being promoted to proposal manager / Northeast regional contact, going remote in 2002. EDS was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2008, where I continued working as part of their global proposal team. In 2016, I accepted an RFP Analyst position with PNC, being promoted to content administrator a year later. I continue working at PNC and plan on retiring in July, 2026!”
Keller adds that she has been very fortunate along the way-- in each company she’s worked for, she was given the opportunity to better herself personally and professionally by self-education; either by learning HW/SW on-the-job, after hours, or by classes offered by her employer or local colleges. She thrives on continuous learning and adapting to an ever-evolving environment. Education is truly a gift.
During her career, she’s earned the following certifications: CFA Institute Investment Foundations level; Shipley Associates: Writing to Win and Winning Proposal Strategies; Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Expert Levels in PowerPoint and Word, Specialist Level in Outlook; APMP (Association of Proposal Management Professionals) Foundation Certification and Micro-Certification in Graphics.
Keller credits her knowledge of graphic software and public speaking from Westmoreland that really prepared her for the positions that she has worked in the past 25+ years.
Keller would like to thank her husband Chuck, son Ian and daughter-in-law Jamie as well as her grandchildren Milo and Evie, and Keller couldn't forget to acknowledge her cats Xena and Millie for staying by her side.
In her spare time, Keller enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and listening to Spotify while working. She’s a daily walker at her town's park. During the warmer months, she bikes on the many trails offered around southwestern PA. She also volunteers at the Westmoreland County Food Bank, packaging food each month for over 1,600 qualified senior citizens in the county. She’s also an active member of her church's decorating committee, which oversees the installation of interior decor based upon the liturgical calendar.
Her advice to current college students?
“Attend your classes, do your assignments and enjoy your time at college!” says Keller.
So what made Gamble want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“Westmoreland offered awesome culinary and food service classes. I was probably about eight or nine years old when I decided what I wanted to do. I was ALWAYS in the kitchen with my mom and when I was younger my dad was a baker. I'm so, so much like my dad, and as they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. As I got older and decided I still wanted to follow my plans, I understood that jobs would always be available in the food industry. On the other hand, my dream to own my own ice cream shop probably started at age seven. I never imagined my dreams would come true! Also, the college being close to home was important as I wanted to stay close to my family and friends,” said Gamble.
While at the college, Gamble studied Culinary, Baking and Pastry, Food Service Management, and Dietary Management. Her fondest memory was when they raised funds and took a Bus Trip to New York and also made ice sculptures.
“We ate at Tavern on the Green and saw the Broadway performance of STOMP. We got to go into the Twin Towers and it was gorgeous inside,” says Gamble.
She also fondly remembers making ice sculptures. “The ice sculptures were a project in Garde Manger class. We had to partner up and we carved them outside of Commissioners Hall (now Health and Culinary Center),” adds Gamble.
Gamble was also on the fast-pitch softball team for a semester. She had played since she was five-years-old, so quitting after high school and not playing was tough. They welcomed her onto the team, but then work got in the way and she unfortunately hung up her cleats.
Did Gamble ever have a favorite instructor?
“Chef Cindy Komarinski and Cheryl Shipley were two of my favorite instructors throughout my years there. They were fun and made college interesting. We are still in contact with each other after 25 years!” states Gamble.
Now that she has graduated from Westmoreland, what is she up to now?
Her business has a mobile Frozen Custard Cart. They attend community events and are as involved as possible. They donate and help many local school sports teams.
Gamble credits all of her classes and instructors at Westmoreland for helping to prepare her for owning her own business.She wouldn’t be where she is today without the ones who helped her out in her academic journey.
In her spare time, Gamble loves watching crime shows and cooking and baking shows. She and her twins love watching Nailed It on Netflix. They have movie nights all of the time. They are huge Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler fans.
Gamble encourages Westmoreland students to DREAM BIG!
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.
Emily Beerbroer instructs culinary students at The “Culinary Corner Cafe” at the Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center.