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INTERN INSIGHT: Casara McCleaf

Posted by Chamber News 
· Thursday, April 16th, 2015 
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Casara McCleaf- Economic Development Intern

Casara McCleaf

Casara McCleaf is a sophomore at Wilkes University double majoring in math and computer science. She is an economic development intern at the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber for the Spring of 2015.

 

Where are you from?

I grew up in a small town between Gettysburg and the Mason-Dixon Line called Carroll Valley, Pennsylvania.  I now live in Sturdevant Hall at Wilkes University, of which I am the Resident Assistant for the school year.

What do you hope to do after college?

After college, I hope to settle down in a small town filled with farms and friendly people.

How about NEPA?

I would settle down and live in NEPA for the rest of my life if I found a good job and my family was happy here.

Why did you choose Wilkes?

I almost went to Duquesne, but decided to go to Wilkes University because they offered a greater number of majors that I was interested in besides Pharmacy.  I also greatly appreciated the small-size of the campus and the close-knit community.  Also, my brother attends Wilkes University, so he was a major part of my decision to go to Wilkes.

I wanted to stay within “short” driving distance of my house, so I only looked into schools in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and choosing Wilkes is what brought me to NEPA.

I chose to change from Pharmacy to a dual major in Mathematics and Computer Science because I have always had a passion for math and knew that my logical reasoning and math skills could pair nicely with the widely sought after computer science major.

What are your impressions of NEPA?

My first impression of Wilkes-Barre was that it was a city, there was a lot of buildings and only a little grass.  This was a stark change from my hometown.

Most people I know from this area talk about the pizza.  When I first told people I was going to go to Wilkes, they all told me “the place to go for the best pizza”.

When I leave here, I will remember this area most for the experiences I have had here and for everything I have learned while I was living here. I will remember the city for the accessibility of its stores, most of which are walking distance from campus, and its frigid winters.

What do you hope to do when you graduate?

When I graduate, my dream job is to work as a cryptographer.  I would love to work for the National Security Agency.

Are there any businesses you wish were in NEPA?

I wish someone would open a coffee shop which delivered coffee and baked goods in NEPA.  If I could create my dream job, it would incorporate math with helping people with special needs or children with bad home-lives.
Want to become a Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber Intern?
Apply NOW for Summer 2015 at internships@wilkes-barre.org

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Intern Insight: Alexis Maroney

Posted by Adam Lubas 
· Friday, April 10th, 2015 
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Alexis Maroney- Marketing Intern

Alexis Maroney- Marketing Intern

Alexis Maroney is a Junior Psychology major with minors in Studio Art and Management at Wilkes University. She is also the Marketing Intern at the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce for the Spring 2015.

 

Where are you from? 

I grew up in Phoenixville, PA, right outside of King of Prussia. I now live in Wilkes Barre, PA

Where are you going?

After college I plan to pursue a career in Industrial or Organizational Psychology and marry my fiance.

Why Wilkes-Barre?

I only applied to Wilkes University and Wilkes alone. I chose to go to college in NEPA because I really enjoyed the location Wilkes U was placed and the community that is developed in Wilkes-Barre. I chose my major because I did a bit of trial and error and realized a combination of psychology and business was the perfect match for me.

What are your thoughts on Wilkes-Barre?

My first impression of Greater Wilkes-Barre is how beautiful the architecture of the buildings here are. Most people I met from this area talk often about the various parks and Sheetz. I will remember this area most for the amazing college experience it gave me.

What are you involved with on campus?

I am currently a Resident Assistant as well as a Orientation Leader for First Year Students, along with both of those positions I am also Parliamentarian of the Psychology Club at Wilkes.

What would allow you to settle down in Wilkes-Barre?

I would settle down and live in NEPA for the rest of my life if there were options for jobs for me. I also wish someone would open a Wawa in Wilkes-Barre.When it comes to working in NEPA, unfortunately industrial and organizational psychology is not a large field.

What do you enjoy in your free time?

In my free time I enjoy reading and writing. When the weather permits I love to go snowboarding. I also have a cat that I enjoy watching Netflix with when I can.

What are your plans after you graduate Wilkes?

I will be graduating  with a Bachelors in Psychology. I will be going to Mesa, AZ to get my Master’s in Business Administration directly after I graduate, and will be able to obtain it in about a year because of the program I am in. Perhaps the field will have grown by then and I will be able to return and work in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

If you could create your dream job, what would it be?

If I could create my dream job, it would be traveling the world and consulting for businesses, which actually is a real thing but it’s so hard to get into. This will be involved with industrial and organizational psychologist as a consultant.

interns

Want to become a Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber Intern?
Apply NOW for Summer 2015 at internships@wilkes-barre.org!

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Presidents of Wilkes University and Kings College Join Together for Distinguished Speaker Luncheon

Posted by Adam Lubas 
· Monday, March 2nd, 2015 
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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ​Rev. John Ryan, C.S.C., Ph.D., President, King's College; Wico van Genderen, President and CEO Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber; Peter Danchak, ‎Regional President, PNC; Michael E. Dennen Senior Vice President, PNC; Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D. President, Wilkes University​

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ​Rev. John Ryan, C.S.C., Ph.D., President, King’s College; Wico van Genderen, President and CEO Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber; Peter Danchak, ‎Regional President, PNC; Michael E. Dennen Senior Vice President, PNC; Patrick F. Leahy, Ed.D. President, Wilkes University​

Breaking new ground for the downtown, Dr. Patrick F. Leahy, President of Wilkes University and Rev. John Ryan CSC, President of Kings College gave insight into their institutions’ ventures for improving the city of Wilkes-Barre. On Thursday, February 19, 2015, at the Westmoreland club, more than 50 community and business leaders met to hear about the improved relations between the two schools. This dialogue, hosted by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Speaker Series, gave many local business leaders and opportunity to ask the presidents questions in an open panel. The panel allowed both school presidents to make an impact on the businesses in the downtown area. Talking about the improvements and the expansion of the schools allowed the local businesses leaders to see the direction the schools will be going.

It is clear that mutuality and teamwork is a cornerstone to the relationship between the schools leaders. When asked about the event, and what Rev. John Ryan took away from it he happily stated;

“I think this dialogue reinforces good feelings and good ideas. Our destinies are linked. The well being of the city is what brings us all together.”

President Leahy felt that a mutual commitment with Father Ryan will lead to success.

“I am delighted alongside Father Ryan in stating our continued sustained mutual commitment in the redevelopment of the downtown, which can honestly be one of the great college towns in the US.”

President Leahy had spoken on a positive outlook for the area.

“Our efforts in the future will be a benefit to all the residents of Luzerne County and the benefit of our two colleges. It will be much more attractive for the students from our schools to come downtown.”

Moderating the panel was Wico van Genderen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber is excited to connect academic, business, and community leaders to hold important discussions.  We must leverage the capital that exists – right here at home – to bring bold, exciting advancements that improve our region through strategic investment and partnerships.  Dr. Leahy, Fr. Ryan, and their respective institutions are prime examples of this practice,” said van Genderen.

Opening the event was Peter Danchak, Regional President of PNC. PNC sponsors the Distinguished Speaker series and is an active member of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce. The Diamond City Partnership co-sponsored the event.

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INTERN INSIGHT: Britton Heim

Posted by Chamber News 
· Tuesday, February 24th, 2015 
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Britton HeimBritton Heim is a Sophomore Entrepreneurship Major and a leadership studies minor at Wilkes University. He is also an intern at the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber for the Spring of 2015.

So tell us a little bit about you Britton…

I’m a Ford guy, I like to be outdoors, I love music (mostly metal and rock, but all music), and I enjoy tattoos.

Where are you from?

I grew up in Rebuck, PA, which is in the middle of nowhere Northumberland County. After college I plan to start my own businesses and become a serial entrepreneur. I work for my father’s company, Heim’s Disposal, I am an independent marketing consultant with Ambit Energy, and I am also part of a group of students in the process of starting a business. I am also the President and Co-Founder of the Entrepreneurship Club at Wilkes University.

Why Wilkes-Barre?

I almost went to college at Montana State University because I have relatives there and I love it out there. I chose to go to college in NEPA could see myself at Wilkes University more than Montana State. I love it at Wilkes and I can’t imagine being at any other school.

How did you choose your  major?

I was originally going to go for management and take over the family business, but I came to realize that what I really wanted was to create something of my own, not just take over what was built. So I chose Entrepreneurship to learn some of the skills I’d need in the business world in hopes of preventing some mistakes along the way of creating my own businesses.

When you look at Wilkes-Barre, what are your impressions?

Greater Wilkes-Barre is a nice little place that is slowly improving and seems to get better every year. I had two teachers in high school that attended Wilkes, both talk about how it was then compared to now. Both attended before Wilkes-Barre had its “downfall”, so they often talk about the stages Wilkes-Barre went through and what was there then that’s not now and what we have that they wish they would have had.

What do you hope your future looks like?

I want to get up everyday and do what I love, which is what ever business venture I have myself set on at the time. I would love to open a few different businesses and help economically develop not only Wilkes-Barre, but other areas like it.

If you could create your dream job, it would be…?

Owning a business based around creative problem solving and innovation. I would love to be hired by big companies to think outside the box for them and come up with new, fresh ideas to help them innovate and reach new markets, which most managers and executives have a hard time doing.

What do you hope to do when you graduate?

I would like to have a business established and be prepared to step into the real world with confidence, and I believe I am on the right track!

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