First-Generation Faculty and Staff
Supporting First-Gen Students at PNW: Empowering Success and Belonging
At Purdue University Northwest, we’re proud to stand beside our first-generation students—trailblazers who are the first in their families to attend college.
Many of our faculty and staff understand how overwhelming the college journey can feel, because they’ve lived it themselves as first-generation graduates. They’re here to cheer you on, share their stories and walk with you every step of the way.
First-Gen Leaders
Executive Director for First Generation Student Success and Educational Opportunity Programs
Meet PNW’s First Gen Champions
The PNW First Gen Pride Champions initiative connects you with faculty and staff across campus who either proudly identify as first-generation or are passionate allies. They’re here to:
- Offer mentorship, guidance or just a friendly ear when you need it
- Point you toward resources and opportunities designed with first-gen success in mind
- Help you build community and see the powerful network of support waiting for you at PNW
Whether you’re looking for advice, encouragement or someone who truly understands your experience, this page is your starting point.
We believe every student deserves to feel seen, supported and empowered. This space is designed to help you connect with advocates who are ready to support your journey academically, professionally, and personally.
| Champions | Champions | Champions | Champions |
|---|---|---|---|
 Senior Associate Athletic Director talbano@pnw.edu |  Technology specialist / systems administrator, College of Technology Dalt@pnw.edu |  Associate Director, Student Success and Retention yavalos@onw.edu |  Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs ebabcock@pnw.edu |
 Administrator of Honors Student Leadership and Programming bachmand@pnw.edu |  Visiting Lecturer, College of Business sbatista@pnw.edu |  Director, Associate Professor, School of Education and Counseling ckb@pnw.edu |  Richard Bohan Physics Lab Tech, Westvillerbohan@pnw.edu |
 Admission Specialist hcabrera@pnw.edu |  Interim Chair, Department of Psychology gmcasano@pnw.edu |  Financial Aid Representative Westville vaughn36@pnw.edu |  Senior Business Manager christ4@pnw.edu |
Instructor of History cochrajt@pnw.edu |  Web Content Marketing Specialist jcreech@pnw.edu |  Lecturer Delacruz@pnw.edu | Executive Director for First Generation Student Success and Educational Opportunity Programs rdubose@pnw.edu |
Noemi Elizalde Graduation and Records Managerelizalde@pnw.edu |  Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions njelizal@pnw.edu |  Assistant Director of Admissions mille552@pnw.edu |  Assistant Director, TRIO Student Support Services rhaite@pnw.edu |
 Clinical Assistant Professor dhoekstr@pnw.edu |  Director of Alumni Engagement kholderb@pnw.edu |  Director of Belonging & Engagement, College of Business Samantha.horn@pnw.edu |  Visiting Instructor ahoward2@pnw.edu |
 Assistant Professor of Nursing brewer74@pnw.edu | Lisa Kovacs Business Operations and Compliance Administratorlkovacs@pnw.edu |  Assistant Professor of Integrative Human Health mladwig@pnw.edu |  Assistant Vice Chancellor for Campus Planning, Infrastructure and Facilities lenson@pnw.edu |
 Director of TRIO Student Support Services lopez430@pnw.edu |  Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admissions (Parent, Community, and Early Education Outreach) maldon55@pnw.edu |  Director of Development lmannion@pnw.edu |  Assistant Archivist / Secretary of the Faculty Senate ajmccaff@pnw.edu |
 Technology Administrator, College of Technology mclees@pnw.edu |  Coordinator, Students and School Partnerships raweaver@pnw.edu |  Academic Advisor for CHESS navarro@pnw.edu |  Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing Newma131@pnw.ex |
Employee Relations Manager jahaira.perez@pnw.edu |  Director of Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science quallsc@pnw.edu |  Career Management Coordinator kdreed@pnw.edu |  Chair, Department of Chemistry and Physics adamwr@pnw.edu |
 Associate Professor, Coordinator of DNP Program, College of Nursing jlrogers@pnw.edu |  Continuing Lecturer, School of Education and Counseling starks15@pnw.edu |  Student Success Coach and Peer Mentor Coordinator cterrell@pnw.edu |  Assistant Director of Housing Administration ltrosien@pnw.edu |
 Vice Chancellor - Finance and Administration sturner@pnw.edu |  Senior Administrative Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs watsonme@pnw.edu |  Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions Jwiejak@pnw.edu |  Associate Professor of Communication & PNW Faculty Athletics Representative dwilbur@pnw.edu |
Purchasing Agent dwilliso@pnw.edu | Heather Zamojski Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Success Technologieszamojski@pnw.edu |