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?
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When you have a question. Ask your navigator! If they don’t know the answer, they’ll find the answer.
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When you’re having an issue or running into a barrier. Your navigator is there to resolve issues and help to remove barriers.
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When you’re facing a personal challenge. Your navigator can connect you to the help you need.
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When there's a hold on your account. Your navigator can find out what’s going on and how to lift the hold.
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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.
Contacting Your Navigator
Based on your preference, your navigator can be available in person (on or off campus) or via Zoom, email, text, or phone. Reach out any time!
Meet the Navigators
Brett Berquist
724-357-7562
berquist@iup.edu
Book Time with Brett
Graduate student, Literature and Criticism, PhD
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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.
Candice Bolger
724-357-7593
cbolger@iup.edu
Book Time with Candice
Higher Education, MEd
University of Pittsburgh
Critical Social Thought, BA
Mount Holyoke College
From: Boston, MA and Seattle, WA
It is an exciting time to create community and belonging on this beautiful campus with our students. I am excited to be a navigator at IUP, because working with students as they take steps toward achieving their academic and career goals is a true commitment of mine.
Fun Fact: I love to travel and have visited almost all 50 states, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Canada, and some countries across Europe. My goal is to visit each continent at least once during my lifetime!
Yvonne Branan ’01
724-357-7509
ykbranan@iup.edu
Book Time with Yvonne
Geoscience, PhD
Michigan Technology University
Geology, BS
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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.
Emily Briggs
724-357-7559
ebriggs@iup.edu
Book Time with Emily
Sports Management, BS
Health and Wellness, MS
California University of Pennsylvania
From: Washington County, PA
I have 18 years of experience working within Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, specifically in collegiate athletic coaching and administration. I currently reside in Indiana with my son, Haris, and dog, Rosie. I love the outdoors, all seasons. First-generation college graduate. Proud member of the Indiana Women’s Flag Football League.
Fun Fact: Attended Winthrop University on a basketball scholarship before transferring to Cal U in 2006. I completed undergrad and grad degrees at Cal while a member of the women’s basketball coaching staff.;
Marcia Briscoe ’09
724-357-7530
mbriscoe@iup.edu
Book Time with Marcia
Education in Higher Education, MA
Penn State University
International Business, BS
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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
Book Time with Maria
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.
Mysti Dinger ’96, ’99
814-939-3336
mysti@iup.edu
Book Time with Mysti
Office Systems in Business, BS
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Student Affairs in Higher Education, MA
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
From: Rochester Mills, PA
I have been working at IUP helping students for 24 years now. I love getting to know them and watching them thrive. I have basically been doing the job of a navigator all of these years.
Fun Fact: I love to read and I have set a goal to read 75 books this year. I’m almost done!
Brianna Drylie ’09, M ‘10
724-357-3277
bdrylie@iup.edu
Book Time with Brianna
Communications Media, BS, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Adult Education and Communications Technology, MA, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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
Book Time with Sheila
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.
Eisha Holliday
724-357-7547
holliday@iup.edu
Book Time with Eisha
Exercise Science, Human Performance and Wellness, BS
California University of Pennsylvania
From: Blairsville, PA
I understand the importance of having someone support you during your educational journey. My goal is to help students stay on the path to success and achieve their goals.
Fun Fact: I love to travel, and I hope to visit the Maldives and Greece.
Stella Jarmulowicz ’21, M’21
724-357-7516
stellaj@iup.edu
Book Time with Stella
Criminology, MA
Criminology and Psychology, BA
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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.
Laura Jones ’99
724-357-7570
ljones@iup.edu
Book Time with Laura
Master of Science in Library Science
Clarion University
Marketing, BS
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
From: Home, PA
I am looking forward to being part of students’ journeys to success. I am here to be the navigator, not the captain. I want you to take charge of your college career. I can point you in the right direction.
Fun Fact: I was the event coordinator for Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney for five years. I got to know Phil and can tell you all about groundhogs.
Marilyn Kukula ’89
724-357-7579
mkukula@iup.edu
Book Time with Marilyn
Graduate student, Strategic Communication, MS
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Journalism, BA
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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.
Thomas Lyttle ’18, M’21
724-357-7532
tlyttle@iup.edu
Book Time with Thomas
Student Affairs in Higher Education, MA
Communications Media/Media Production, BS
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
From: Marion Center, PA
As an IUP alumnus and proud member of the Indiana community, I’m eager to help future generations of students make the most of their IUP experience.
Fun Fact: I’m an avid musician, songwriter, and audio engineer in my free time.
Kevin McKee M’89
724-357-7543
kmckee@iup.edu
Book Time with Kevin
Health Education, EdD
University of Tennessee
Sport Science, MS
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Psychology, BS
St. Francis University
From: Indiana, PA
It’s rewarding to build relationships with students, providing guidance during an important phase of life.
Fun Fact: I’m the seventh of 14 children, eight boys and six girls. Indescribable fun, indeed!
Bryant Pinder ’17
724-357-7541
bpinder@iup.edu
Book Time with Bryant
Child Development and Family Relations, BS
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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.
Charles Simelton ’12
724-357-7527
simelton@iup.edu
Book Time with Charles
Political Science/Pre-law, BA
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
From: Philadelphia, PA
I want to be of service to the students of IUP by helping them navigate through college life and by being an advocate for them when they are in need.
Fun Fact: I am an assistant football coach for Indiana Area High School and a musician (piano and drums).
Bill Zimmerman ’04, ’21
724-357-2620
wjzimmer@iup.edu
Book Time with Bill
Political Science, BA
Kutztown University
Student Affairs in Higher Education, MA
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Administration and Leadership Studies, PhD
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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.