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Alumni Spotlight
Jeff Mayo
Jeff Mayo, 61, of Greensburg, attended Westmoreland County Community College from 1983-1986 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Mayo want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“What made me decide to attend the college was the location and the price. I was not sure if I had the financial means to attend college, so I took a gap year (before that was even a thing). I worked in a restaurant in Greensburg for one year before I decided to attend the college. The price and location of Westmoreland were very important to me since I didn’t receive a scholarship and I had to pay for college myself,” Mayo said.
While at the college, Mayo first started by majoring in Computer Science. This was at time when everyone thought that computer science was a major of the future. Once he started classes, he found that computer science wasn’t for him. He had always wanted to be a Pennsylvania State Trooper since he was young and decided to major in criminal justice.
After graduating, he went to IUP to study criminology since criminal justice was his major at Westmoreland.
Did Mayo have a favorite instructor?
“Dr. Lemuel Molovinsky was my favorite professor. He was extremely enthusiastic and would jump on top of his desk and run around the room when he wanted to make a point. I found his class interesting and enjoyable because of his style,” Mayo said. “I just really liked him as a person and felt he enjoyed what he was doing. He was also the first professor that made me feel smart and that used blue essay books for tests, which I did better on than multiple choice. He was a good man and I love history.”
When looking back at his college days, the memories that stick out the most would be playing intramural basketball and football. Those were the two sports that he remembers being offered so he just did them both. There were no coaches, just a bunch of friends having fun playing. That’s what he liked about it.
Since graduating from Westmoreland, what has Mayo’s journey been like?
Mayo states, “I am retired from the Federal Air Marshal Service. But before that, I attended IUP and earned my bachelor's degree. After graduating, I worked a short time as an Adult Probation Officer with Westmoreland County. I then accepted a position with the U.S. Secret Service on March 14, 1989. I worked with the USSS for 13 years. After September 11, 2001, there were many positions with the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) opened. I was now married and had a family. I accepted this position as a FAM so I could return to the Pittsburgh area to raise my children close to our families. I worked my last 12 years of my federal law enforcement career as a FAM in the Pittsburgh Field Office and retired on May 31, 2014. Currently, I am the head coach the Hempfield Area High School Cross Country Team. I am also an assistant coach with both the Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Teams at Hempfield Area. This has been the most fun that I ever had working. I really enjoy working with young people.”
How did Westmoreland prepare Mayo for his career?
Mayo said that the college prepared him the most with his writing and oral communication skills which are skills that you can use at any job.
Behind the scenes, Mayo has some supporters that he would like to thank.
“I’d like to mention my wife Pam; my daughter Tori (physician assistant-PA); my son Gavin (entrepreneur); my other son Lukas (student); and my dog Kona,” said Mayo.
Mayo is also active in his community. He is involved in his church, coaching and the Police Rod & Gun club. In his spare time, he enjoys running, bicycling, hiking, gardening and reading.
His advice to current college students?
“I’d consider double majoring or minoring in another major. Things change in life and it is good to be able to make career changes,” said Mayo. “Also, you can save a lot of money attending a community college and it may also give you time to figure out what career path that you would like to take. I was not ready to attend college right out of high school, so I sat out a year. Westmoreland gave me a chance to try out college at a reasonable price.”
Author's note* Jeff Mayo was Westmoreland County Community College's Distinguished Alum in 2014.
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.