SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
POLITICAL SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
The Penn State Behrend Political Science Advisory Board formed in 2009 and consists of prominent community leaders and alumni. The Board meets twice a year with faculty and current students to discuss community support and publicity for political science program teaching and research initiatives and events, career and internship opportunities for political science majors, and public engagement for faculty members and students with the community.
The Political Science Advisory Board consists of the following members:
Timothy Bevevino is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Swanson, Bevevino and Gilford, P.C. in Warren, Pennsylvania, concentrating his practice in the areas of municipal and business law. Mr. Bevevino received his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from The Pennsylvania State University, Behrend College and his J.D. from The University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Bevevino has also served as an instructor for the Jamestown Community College in NY, teaching courses in business law and the judicial system.
Joseph P. Conti is an attorney and partner in the McDonald Group, LLP law firm in Erie, Pennsylvania concentrating his practice in the areas of criminal law and family law. He served for eight years as an Assistant District Attorney and was elected District Attorney of Erie County in 1995. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and Corrections from Penn State University, a Master of Science Degree in Professional Counseling from Gannon University and his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Akron School of Law.
Judge John R. Falcone is an attorney and a former judge for the Erie County Court of Common Pleas. He is a Penn State University alumnus who began his undergraduate work at the Behrend campus and was the recipient of the Erie County Bar Association Chancellor of the Bar Award in 2005.
Christopher P. Mong is a life-long resident of Erie who has always been active in civic and political affairs within the community. He holds a B.A. Degree in Political Science from Penn State Behrend with post-graduate work in Communications at Edinboro University. He and his wife, Christine, have four children. Mr. Mong brings a host of political experience to the advisory board. Under long-time Erie Mayor Louis J. Tullio and his successor Mayor Joyce Savocchio, Mr. Mong served 12 years in various local government positions. He also served for 6 years as the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Director for Community & Economic Development for Governor Edward G. Rendell. He is currently a close political advisor for current Erie Mayor Joseph E. Sinnott, as well as various local and state campaigns.
Melissa Shirey received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from The Pennsylvania State University, Behrend College, her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Gannon University and her J.D. from The Ohio State University. Since completing law school, she has practiced law in Erie County and has focused her practice in the area of family law. Melissa has served as an adjunct lecturer in the Political Science program at Behrend since 2006.
Sheila Fitzgerald Sterrett holds a BS degree in Communication from Clarion University as well as a Masters’ Degree in Public Administration from Gannon University. She has two children and resides in Harborcreek. Sheila began her career as a Legislative Assistant for the late State Representative Karl Boyes, and she is currently Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Manager for US Senator Pat Toomey, after serving many years as Director of Government Affairs for the Manufacturer & Business Association. In addition, she also represents Erie County on the Republican State Committee for Pennsylvania and has worked on countless campaigns at the local, state and national level. Sheila is also a graduate of the Anne Anstine Excellence in Public Service series as well as Leadership Erie.
Judge John Trucilla serves on the Erie County Court of Common Pleas, to which he was first elected in 2001. He received his undergraduate degree in political science and his law degree from the University of Dayton. He is also a former Assistant United States Attorney for the western district of Pennsylvania.
Barbara Welton is an attorney who received her B.A. degree in Political Science from Penn State Behrend and her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She is also a member of the Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows and serves on the Board of Directors for the Penn State Behrend Alumni Association.
Matt Wiertel received his B.S. degree in Management with minors in Political Science and Economics at Penn State Behrend. He also completed a M.B.A. degree at Penn State Behrend and currently is the Director of Business Development at Velocity Network. In his role at Velocity Network, Matt works on business planning, acquisitions, and technology projects to grow the company’s information technology and Internet service offerings in Northwest Pennsylvania. Matt also serves as the president of Young Erie Professionals and is a member of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership’s Board of Directors.
We also thank Sister Joan Chittister, Beth Frederick, and Troy Frederick for their previous service to the Advisory Board.
April 2011 meeting of the Political Science Advisory Board at Logan House