Welcome Jessica Urbanik and Dottie Staffen

Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation (GLPIEF) is pleased to announce that Jessica Urbanik and Dottie Staffen have joined its Board of Directors. GLPIEF is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to encouraging community-wide participation and philanthropy to enrich the opportunities of Greater Latrobe school students. President, Maryann White says, “I am thrilled to welcome these new members as they have unique talents and experiences to bring to the organization. Jessica brings a wealth of experience in institutional advancement and Dottie brings management and business experience along with her involvement as a member of the A+ Campaign Cabinet; she has been a big part of the campaign’s success.”

Jessica Urbanik is a stay at home mom and parent volunteer at Mountain View Elementary School where her twins Jacob and Aidan attend. Jessica most recently served as Interim Vice President of Development and Cal U for Life at California University of Pennsylvania. She also worked as a Major Gifts Officer at Cal U and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation. She was recently appointed by Governor Tom Corbett as a parent representative on the state’s Special Education Advisory Panel. Jessica has a Master’s degree in Corporate Communications from Duquesne University and Bachelor’s degree in communications from California University of PA. Her husband, Bill Urbanik, is a partner at The Second Half Coach, a wealth management firm located on Ligonier Street in Latrobe.

Originally from Springfield, PA, Dottie and her husband, Dr. Robert Staffen, moved to Latrobe in 1994, when her husband joined the staff of Latrobe Area Hospital as a cardiologist. Since 2009, Dottie has served as the District Administrator for PA State Senator Kim Ward. Before moving to Latrobe, Dottie was the manager of law firms in Philadelphia and York, PA. She graduated from IUP with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Business. She has served as a volunteer for numerous community organizations such as the Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society, American Heart Association, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Western PA as well as the Mountain View Elementary PTO. Son Ryan, who attends Lehigh University, is a graduate of Greater Latrobe, while their son, Dan, is currently a junior at Greater Latrobe Senior High.

Jessica Urbanik and Dottie Staffen join the volunteer board of directors comprised of parents, alumni, and civic and business leaders committed to effectively governing the Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation. The board includes Luigi G. DiIanni; Heidi T. Kozar; Raymond W. Mt. Joy; James R. Okonak, secretary; Michael J. Rossi, vice-president; Bradley E.Smith, Esq.; Lester R. Sutton; Judith A. Swigart; Keith M. Visconti, treasurer and Maryann White, president.

The Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation’s mission is to ensure the highest level of education innovation supporting GLSD students, faculty and staff with community involvement in a partnership of lifetime learning through philanthropic and volunteer opportunities. Its first project is the A+ Campaign which is a major, comprehensive capital campaign to seek philanthropic support for the 3 A’s: Academics, Arts and Athletics. The three strategic goals of the A+ Campaign include the following: (1) Comprehensive cutting-edge technology integration in all classrooms K to 12. (2) Assisting with the development of an up-to-date Athletic and Wellness Complex at the Senior/Junior High Schools. (3) The renovation of the Junior High School entrance leading to the main building corridor which will provide a flexible space for the Junior High art collection modeled after the existing unique collection that we have developed at the Senior High School and three Elementary Schools, the Center for Student Creativity and courtyard.

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