Contact the Office of Admissions Staff
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. You can contact us individually via email, or reach out to the office at [email protected] or 570-385-6252.
David Chavira, M.P.A., ’12, ’15g
Director of Enrollment Management
[email protected]
In his role as director of Enrollment Management, Dave Chavira oversees the recruiting, admission and enrollment of new students to Penn State Schuylkill. He also has oversight of the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans’ Benefits, as well as the Office of the Registrar.
A native of San Diego, California, and a two-time Penn State alumnus, Dave has been a proud member of the Penn State community for more than a decade. Professionally, he first served as an admissions counselor at both the Schuylkill and University Park campuses from 2012-15. In 2016, Dave took the role of Assistant Director of Recruitment at Penn State University Park, where he oversaw the out-of-state recruitment efforts for the University as well as the Alumni Admissions Volunteer Program. Dave returned to Penn State Schuylkill in 2018, when he coined the infamous phrase: “Schuylkill. Hard to pronounce; easy to love.”
Gianna Agnello-Porambo, M.P.A., ’14, ’17g
Assistant Director of Admissions
[email protected]
Gianna specializes in assisting:
She also is co-advisor of the Penn State Schuylkill Lion Ambassadors, who are Schuylkill’s student tour guides. She loves working with her students and seeing them achieve success in their academic careers and beyond.
Gianna grew up in the Schuylkill County area and graduated from Penn State Schuylkill in fall 2014 with a degree in Administration of Justice and a minor in Sociology. She began her career with Admissions in 2015. Gianna received her Master of Public Administration from Penn State in fall 2017.
When she isn’t working, Gianna enjoys baking, knitting, and reading. She is a huge Disney fan, and if she could, she would go to Disney World every year. She also enjoys participating in athletic events like Rugged Maniac and RunDisney.
Travis Williams
Admissions Counselor
[email protected]
Travis specializes in assisting:
- First-year, in-state prospective students
- Students interested in Penn State Schuylkill’s two-year Radiological Sciences degree
- Adult students
Travis also coaches the Penn State Schuylkill men’s basketball team. He believes in a simple concept to guide and define his teams: work hard and play smart, tough, and together. Travis encourages staying grounded and being a recognizable figure in the community. His philosophy as a coach and an admissions counselor is that keeping balance is critical to success at the next level.
During his free time, Travis is an avid chess player and indoor cyclist who enjoys rocketry and kundalini yoga. He prides himself in listening to his players, supervisors, and colleagues. Learn to listen and listen to learn.
Katie Zambanini, M.Ed., ’16
Admissions Counselor
[email protected]
Katie specializes in assisting:
- First-year, out-of-state prospective students
- Students interested in Penn State Schuylkill’s four-year Nursing degree
Katie also co-advises the Penn State Schuylkill Lion Ambassadors and loves to see her students interact with prospective students and their families during tours, open houses, and other Admissions events.
As a Penn State graduate herself, she understands the importance and value of a Penn State education. Katie graduated from Penn State Berks in spring 2016 with a degree in Communication Arts and Sciences, along with minors in Professional Writing, English, and Psychological Sciences. During her college years, she was very active with student organizations including Campus Activities Board, Lion Ambassadors, and Berks Benefitting THONä. Katie earned her Master of Education in Student Affairs and Higher Education Administration from Kutztown University.
When she isn’t traveling out of state for high school visits and college fairs, Katie enjoys reading, photography, crocheting, playing with her cats Perkins and Daisy, hiking, and watching TV.
Nancy Blankenhorn
Administrative Support Assistant
[email protected]
570-385-6252