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Waynesburg welcomes four new staff members to campus

By Kimmi Baston And Teghan Simonton staff Report 5 min read

At Waynesburg University, faculty and staff members carry a variety of skillsets and professional experiences. 

In the past year, several new professionals have been added to the repertoire, in multiple departments.

Joshua Beppler started working in University Relations in December. After graduating from Waynesburg University in 2010 and spending several years in sales, Beppler decided he wanted to return to his background in communication.

“I graduated in 2010 with my degree in communication,” said Beppler. “I wanted to come back to Waynesburg because I love the school…It becomes a second home to you and I had such a great experience as a student, and I knew it was a great place to work…”

Beppler said that his new position in University Relations, dealing primarily with social media and website content, is unique from his previous position as a business development director at Miller Engineering Inc. 

“There’s a lot of things to consider,” said Beppler. “…In University Relations, you’re dealing with reputations and that is so abstract that it can be difficult to handle properly. So it’s a challenge. You have to take what’s been done before and adhere to tradition…while also looking to break new ground-finding new ways to connect with people and present the university in exciting new ways.”

Despite the adjustment to working in higher education, Beppler said that the job transition was seamless.

“You don’t ever lose that sense of belonging and that feeling of home,” he said. “Walking on the campus for the first time as an employee, I had that same excitement in my stomach as setting foot on it for the first time as a freshman…this campus is so inviting and so welcoming that there wasn’t necessarily anything difficult about that transition.”

Waynesburg University also welcomed a new resident director in August for Thayer Hall, Matthew Pioch, as well as his wife, Heather Pioch, as an academic support specialist.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, the Piochs were drawn to Waynesburg University because of its elements of faith and service.

“We both grew up in Chicago and we figured we didn’t have kids yet, so now would be the time to take an adventure, move across the U.S.,” said Matthew Pioch. “What drew me to Waynesburg was the service initiative as well as the faith component. Personally, my undergrad is in youth ministry, and I have a master’s [degree] in religion, so finding a school that appreciated that part of who I am was important to me.”

Matthew Pioch said he was well-prepared for life as a resident director, having previously run a boarding house for Chinese high school exchange students in Chicago.

“Live-in positions, being around people all the time, it’s just kind of what I’m used to and I think kind of where I thrive,” he said.

Despite the challenges that accompany working with residents, he is excited to be in his current role.

“I think anytime you bring a bunch of people together and have them live in a small, confined space, there’s going to be issues,” said Matthew Pioch. “But at the same time, it opens the door for opportunity to create community in a way that doesn’t really happen, especially after the college life. I think the relationships that can build in a dormitory or Res Hall are something you don’t find elsewhere.”

Heather Pioch recently began serving as an academic support specialist for the university.

She will be taking temporary leadership of the Knox Learning Center, as Tutor Coordinator Pam Abbe recovers from an injury sustained this summer.

As tutoring services recommence for the semester, Heather Pioch is tasked with updating tutor lists and devising a system that connects tutors with students who request tutoring. 

In their former home, Heather Pioch was a high school science teacher for two years before serving as director of residence life and student support at Chicago’s Culture Exchange Academy. 

She loves that her current role at Waynesburg allows her to continue her history of interacting one-on-one with students.

“Since day one, everyone’s been very welcoming and inviting and a lot of positivity,” said Heather Pioch. “I’ve been emailing tutors and introducing myself and they’ve been encouraging, so it’s been great.”

Laslty, after teaching in Biblical Ministry Studies as an adjunct professor in 2015, Josh Sumpter joined the university Aug. 1 as a full-time assistant chaplain and instructor of Biblical Ministry Studies. 

Sumpter will assist the Rev. Jim Tinnemeyer, university chaplain, in leading weekly Chapel services, providing oversight to campus ministries such as Upper Room and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serving as a spiritual resource for students. 

Sumpter is transitioning to Waynesburg University after serving in a youth pastoral role at the First Presbyterian Church of Waynesburg. 

There, he had frequent interactions with college students, so he said it’s a natural progression to working at the university.

“I’m just really excited to be a part of the lives of our students and to see how God’s working in their life,” said Sumpter. “The students here are really talented kids that are going to do great things in the world, and I want to be a part of that journey with them and see them use their gifts.”

As a member of the Waynesburg University faculty and a member of the administrative staff, Sumpter is excited to balance his two roles and get to know as many people as possible across campus.

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