Waynesburg University has expanded its staff and has recently welcomed Jena Prokopchuck as the newest member of the Waynesburg family. Prokopchuck has joined the university team as the Director of Development.

Prokopchuck believes she is a valuable addition to the university, thanks to her extensive experience in the field of program development. That extensive experience includes 25 plus years working for various organizations that included being the director of the Rosenbaum Family House and Director of Volunteer Services for West Virginia University (WVU) Medicine.

As a graduate of West Virginia University, Prokopchuck has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, while she specializes in public relations and also has a minor in business administration.

“I’ve found everyone here to be so kind, supportive and helpful. I really love interacting with my coworkers and working in a historic and beautiful campus,” Prokopchuck said.

For Prokopchuck, the appeal of Waynesburg University and the opportunity it presented was too much to pass up.

“I’m very excited to be joining a team of such talented and dedicated professionals. I am really looking forward to working at and contributing to the development efforts,” Prokopchuck said, “And building upon the strong tradition of faith, learning and service that this university offers.”

Even though Prokopchuck has only been on Waynesburg’s campus for a few weeks, the small campus has already had a “huge impact” on her.

“I still can’t get over just how friendly the people here are, and how genuine,” Prokopchuck said, “Because it’s smaller it’s easy to see how friendly and supportive people are towards one another and how service oriented Waynesburg is, beyond the excellent academic standing.”

Despite currently living in Morgantown, West Virginia, Jena Prokopchuck is originally from the town, home to the famous weather-predicting groundhog: Punxsutawney Phil. Even though she lives in Morgantown, West Virginia Prokopchuck still finds ways to make the time to travel back home to visit her family, who still live there, a few times a month.

Because she lives in West Virginia, Prokopchuck must endure a somewhat long commute to and from work each day, however, she’s found ways to enjoy the drive.

“The commute to work each day gives me time to call my mother on the drive up, it especially helps because I have hands free calling, and it has become a part of my daily routine,” Prokopchuck said. “Plus, I get to check in with her before work instead of trying to talk to her while settle in at my desk like I used to have to do.”

The commute home also has its fair share of positives, according to Prokopchuck.

“Driving home and having a little bit farther to go has actually been really nice because it gives me time to think and decompress from work before I get home to my family,” Prokopchuck said.

After only a short time as a member of Waynesburg University she’s excited for the future.

“I’ve only been here a few weeks, but I really like it so far and I look forward to what’s to come,” Prokopchuck said.