Meet the Admissions Team
Our team of professionals are available throughout the entire admissions process to
answer any questions you may have. We are involved with all aspects of the recruitment
process, from visiting your high school to reviewing your application for a timely
decision. We also serve as liaisons to academic departments, student financial services,
athletics and more! Our goal is to ensure that you have the best experience possible!
Undergraduate Admissions Office:
314 Becht Hall
Mailing address: 840 Wood St., Clarion, Pa. 16214
GPS address: 909 E. Wood St., Clarion, Pa. 16214
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Phone: 814 393 2306
800 672 7171, ext.1
Fax: 814 393 2030
*Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic we are working with limited staff on site Monday-Thursday and all others working remotely. Admissions staff can still be reached via email and phone. For up to date Admissions information please refer to COVID-19 Admissions Updates.
David P. Dollins
Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management
Hometown: Tempe, AZ
Hobbies: Trail Running, Photography, College Football
Favorite thing about Clarion: The beautiful campus and area. Also, how genuine and friendly the people are.
CARRIE (LOPUH) THOMPSON '02 & '12
DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
Call/Text 814-227-9967
Hometown: Mercer, PA
Territory: Mercer and Lawrence counties.
Hobbies: Spending time with my husband and kids, singing and playing the piano.
Favorite thing about Clarion University: I loved the hands on experience that I had through the Communication program, and
the time that the faculty spent with me. It was great being a name and not a number
in the class.
Merrilyn Dunlap '93
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Territory: Clarion and Centre counties.
Hometown: Clarence, PA
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, especially at the beach. I enjoy reading and being
outdoors, as well.
Favorite thing about Clarion University: I love the people at Clarion University and in the Clarion area. It is a great family
to be a part of!
Lacy Nettleton '13 & '19
ASSOCIATE Director of Admissions: COMMUNICATION & EVENTS
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA
Territory: Allegheny, Beaver and Ohio.
Hobbies: Going for runs in Cook Forest, kayaking, pretty much anything outdoors!
Favorite thing about Clarion University: How much Clarion feels like home.
Diane (Benn) Kahle '92
Assistant Director of Admissions/ Transfer Counselor
Hometown: DuBois, PA
Territory: Butler, Clearfield, Columbia, Elk, and Jefferson Counties and PA community colleges
throughout the state.
Hobbies: Overseas travel, reading sci-fi and murder mysteries, beach vacations, spending
time with family and friends.
Favorite thing about Clarion University: I love the close knit, family atmosphere on campus.
Diane is a 9 month employee and is available during the academic year.
Isaac Leonard '11
Assistant Director of Admissions/ Multicultural Recruitment
Hometown: Bensalem, PA
Territory: Eastern PA (Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Franklin, Lebanon,
Lehigh, Lycoming, Montgomery, Northampton, and Philadelphia counties), New Jersey,
Maryland, and Virginia.
Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends. Anything involving music, traveling and football,
especially the Philadelphia Eagles!
Favorite thing about Clarion University: The family of friends that I made at Clarion.
Jarrett Coleman Boxley '16
Assistant director of admissions
Hometown: New Kensington, PA
Territory: Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana, Washington, Westmoreland and Maryland.
Hobbies: Attending my home church, basketball, traveling, camping, and cooking. I also enjoy
listening to music and spending time with my family and friends.
Favorite thing about Clarion University: The people! My undergraduate degree at Clarion caused me to burst out of my shell
and form friendships that are substantial, valuable, and lasting. Definitely a university
with a warm, family environment.
Shawna Lind, '10
undergraduate/transfer admissions counselor
Call/Text 814-319-6010
Hometown: Houtzdale, PA
Territory: Blair, Cambria, Centre, Erie, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Northumberland,
Perry, and Tioga counties
Hobbies: Watching sports, listening to podcasts, reading, traveling, and spending time with
my family and my dog!
Favorite thing about Clarion University: The experiences and opportunities Clarion University and the surrounding community
provides to students. It is truly a place to find who you are and what you want to
be!
LaTrobe Barnitz '91
Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Hometown: Lancaster, PA
Hobbies: I enjoy listening to music, playing jazz and blues on guitar, and spending time with
my wife and three kids, one who is also a Clarion alum and another who is a current
Golden Eagle!
Favorite thing about Clarion – Venango: The strong personal connections made here last a lifetime. The Clarion family is
a great one to be a part of!
Casey McVay '09, '17
Assistant Director of Admissions
Call/Text 814-227-9305
Hometown: Altoona, PA
Territory: Venango, Crawford, McKean, Warren, and southeastern NY.
Hobbies: Participating in FLEX (Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs Exchange) and the Franklin
Civic Operetta Association Board of Directors, volunteering at the Barrow-Civic Theatre,
singing 90's and 00's music, and kayaking French Creek and Allegheny River.
Favorite thing about Clarion – Venango: The community and the people! It is easy to engage on and off campus, and to find
opportunities that make life fulfilling. Venango is a place to be!
David McFarland
Director of Scholarships
Hometown: Indiana, PA
Hobbies: Traveling, biking and collecting HO Scale Model Trains.
Favorite thing about Clarion: Clarion is a great college town with many things to do in the area and on campus.