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About the IUP Navigators

Your navigator is a full-time staff member assigned specifically to you.

They are your go-to person. Their goal is to support you so you can succeed at IUP. They also work with your academic advisor to make sure your academic needs are met.

Your navigator will contact you frequently with important resources, dates, deadlines, and reminders to keep you on track toward graduation.

When should you contact your navigator?

• When you have a question. Ask your navigator! If they don’t know the answer, they’ll find the answer.

• When you’re having an issue or running into a barrier. Your navigator is there to resolve issues and help to remove barriers.

• When you’re facing a personal challenge. Your navigator can connect you to the help you need.

• When there's a hold on your account. Your navigator can find out what’s going on and how to lift the hold.

• When you're not sure what office or person to talk to. Your navigator knows IUP inside and out and can point you in the right direction.

Any time you have a question or issue, just ask. It’s that simple.

Brett Berquist

724-357-7562
berquist@iup.edu

Graduate student, Literature and Criticism, PhD
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Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education, MA
Western Michigan University

English, MA
Clarion University

English, BA and Psychology, BS
Bowling Green State University

From: Massillon, OH

My hope is to aid students in learning about the larger world outside of themselves so that they leave IUP with a stronger sense of the world and how they fit into it.

Fun Fact: I have traveled to multiple countries, including Canada, England, Ireland, France, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Greece, and Hungary.

Yvonne Branan ’01

724-357-7509
ykbranan@iup.edu

Geoscience, PhD
Michigan Technology University

Geology, BS
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From: Indiana, PA

I have always enjoyed education and love working with students to help them navigate this exciting time. I love to learn, and I’m always learning from students here at IUP.

Fun Fact: I’ve studied active volcanoes around the world, and I love reading, hiking, and biking.

Marcia Briscoe ’09

724-357-7530
mbriscoe@iup.edu

Education in Higher Education, MA
Penn State University

International Business, BS
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From: Maputo, Mozambique

I want to be a support for students. I feel like it’s important for students to know that they are cared for and that they have someone on their side throughout their journey.

Fun Fact: Proud to be a first-generation college graduate. I speak Portuguese and English, but I didn’t learn English until I started college.

Maria Fenty Denison

724-357-7502
mdenison@iup.edu

Vocal Pedagogy and Performance, DMA University of Miami Voice Performance and Pedagogy, MM Voice Performance, BM Westminster Choir College

From: New Jersey

I have a lifetime career in education, actively honing skills in advising and student mentorship. I’m thrilled to be a “charter” team member of IUP Navigators, hoping to fully apply my experience to support students and their success at IUP.

Fun Fact: I have been a professional opera singer and have been industry certified in training rock, pop, screamo, and belt singing.

Brianna Drylie ’09, M ‘10

724-357-3277
bdrylie@iup.edu

Communications Media, BS, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
Adult Education and Communications Technology, MA, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

From: Westmoreland County, PA

I was a first-generation college student and experienced a lot of great things but also a lot of challenges, and I want to be someone that students can depend on while they’re at IUP to help them navigate both the enjoyable and taxing moments.

Fun Fact: My favorite things are my two orange cats, my bearded dragon, and live music.

Sheila Boyle Gardner

724-357-7582
sheilag@iup.edu

Business Administration, BS
Bowling Green State University

From: Cleveland, OH

I’m hoping to make the college experience much easier and more enjoyable for our students. I’m looking forward to making students aware of the many resources and opportunities that are available at IUP.

Fun Fact: My two dogs, Clover and Juni, are therapy-dog certified and love to visit students on campus. I love hiking, pickleball, traveling, and reading and was a hang-gliding pilot for 15 years. Also, I lived and worked in Washington, DC, for eight years.

Stella Jarmulowicz ’21, M’21

724-357-7516
stellaj@iup.edu

Criminology, MA
Criminology and Psychology, BA
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From: Denville/West Orange, NJ

I’ve enjoyed working student-centered jobs as an IUP student, orientation leader, peer mentor, and office assistant, and I want to continue helping students as a navigator.

Fun Fact: I love to travel! I have visited 45 out of 50 states and nine countries before I was 20.

Marilyn Kukula ’89

724-357-7579
mkukula@iup.edu

Graduate student, Strategic Communication, MS
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Journalism, BA
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From: Indiana, PA

Going to college can be an incredible experience, with new challenges. I want to help students overcome obstacles that get in the way and guide them to resources that help them succeed.

Fun Fact: I love visiting waterfalls and am the mom of two current IUP students and one graduate.

Bryant Pinder ’17

724-357-7541
bpinder@iup.edu

Child Development and Family Relations, BS
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From: Philadelphia, PA

My desire is to help students of all backgrounds pivot, explore, and be intentional within the university, which will translate into their next phase of life.

Fun Fact: I have worked with people ages 0 to 99 years old and love musicals and sports.

Bill Zimmerman ’04, ’21

724-357-2620
wjzimmer@iup.edu

Political Science, BA
Kutztown University

Student Affairs in Higher Education, MA
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Administration and Leadership Studies, PhD
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From: Pottsville, PA

I came to college as a first-generation student and didn’t have a clue what to expect or how to work my way through the experience. However, I had several individuals assist me during my undergraduate experience. I want to provide that same support to our students.

Fun Fact: I love attending local trivia events in and around the Indiana community.