Isabelle Lee

Isabelle Lee is an 18 year old freshman student majoring in History at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. She graduated in May, 2019 from Laurel High School in her hometown of Laurel, Maryland. Laurel is located halfway between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland. Although it is about a six hour drive to get to Mercyhurst from her hometown, her decision to come here was based primarily on the AIM (Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst). The AIM program provides students on the Autism Spectrum a unique opportunity to experience college life in a way that is least stressful and most beneficial for them. Other factors that she considered in regards to choosing Mercyhurst University over other schools was the strength of the History department and the opportunity to join the school band.

When I asked if she played a sport, she at first said no but then she asked, “Does band count?” I have to agree that it counts big time! Watching the marching band on the field during football games appears to be as rigorous as some of the sports that are played. They practice long and hard and they can work up quite a sweat.

Regarding her personal history, Isabella has three siblings, all boys. There is no question that when she was raised in that kind of home environment, she needed to toughen up. That’s why it is not surprising that she told me that she loves watching all kinds of sports. For football, she particularly likes the Washington Redskins, in hockey there are the Washington Capitals, for baseball, her favorite team is the Baltimore Orioles and in basketball her allegiance is split between the Washington Wizards and the San Antonio Spurs. I’m surprised that the 2019 World Series Baseball Champions, the Washington Nationals were not part of the equation. But then again, who am I to judge?

Kolleen Sullivan

Kolleen Sullivan is a staff member and currently the Assistant Director and Career Path Coordinator for the Autism Initiative at Mercyhurst and is from Buffalo, New York. She has worked for Mercyhurst from 2013 – 2017 as a Career Development Counselor in the Career Development Center at Mercyhurst. She left for a short period of time but found herself back on the hill to make a difference in students’ lives. She graduated from Hilbert College in Buffalo, New York with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services with a minor in Rehabilitation Services and received my Masters of Science degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from SUNY Buffalo State in Buffalo, New York. She currently does not play a sport but was very active in athletics growing up. She started at a young age playing soccer, basketball, volleyball and softball but by the time I attended high school, she was only playing softball not only for her school but for a traveling team as well. She also played softball during her undergraduate career but retired after getting hurt.

The reason she first chose Mercyhurst is because when she first became employed at Mercyhurst in late 2013, she was ecstatic to work here. Mercyhurst’s traditions, values and mission tired directly to my career goals and my personal endeavors. Mercyhurst faculty, staff and administration made you feel at home and empowered you to work towards making a difference. She enjoys every minute of my experiences here and mostly the impact students have on her.

Some things she wanted to share is that she has three dogs, Bella, Cooper and Sassy and foster dogs whenever she can help. She also loves to travel and has been to a lot of places domestically and internationally. She also loves to bake and cook. She even almost went to culinary art school after she graduated from high school but realized that it was something she loves to do but did not want to make a career out of it. 

Dr. Kris Gossett

Dr. Kris Gossett is a 45 year old faculty member in the Business Administration Department at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is also the club advisor for the Mercyhurst Modern Cinema Club. Originally he is from Muncie, Indiana. I had him as my professor this semester for his 21st Century Cinema class. He graduated from Delta High School in Muncie in 1992. Following graduation from highschool, Dr. Gossett attended Otterbein College where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1996. He furthered his education by attending Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky and acquiring a Masters in Business Administration in 2000. Further studies at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana earned him a Doctorate in Business Administration in 2011.

He was attracted to Mercyhurst University because he always wanted to teach at a small, liberal arts school. Other schools that Dr. Gossett considered when searching for a teaching position were Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, but got the job at the University when he was recruited by one of his fellow classmates from Anderson University.

Although he enjoys teaching in the Business Administration Department, Dr. Gossett has many other interests that he was willing to share with me. He enjoys playing golf and tries to go out every chance he gets. He also plays basketball and it’s no wonder because he is quite tall and muscular in build. He is apparently surrounded by women in his family because he has no brothers and no male cousins. A fact that really surprised me was that he has watched approximately 825 movies at movie theaters since 2004. It is a passion of his. Every year for the past 3 - 4 years, Dr. Gossett has arranged campus trips to Toronto, Canada for the annual T.I.F.F. (Toronto International Film Festival). My family and I had the pleasure of joining him this year and we look forward to going again next year. 

Jieny Dour

Jieny Dour is a senior majoring in Political Science with a concentration in international relations and minoring in Pre-law and Sociology. Jieny was born in South Sudan but grew up in Buffalo, New York. Jieny runs the club Afrobeats, teaching dance to other students. She ran on the Cross Country team from her freshman through her junior year.

Jieny and her family came to the United States in 2000; as a result, to escape the war in Sudan. She is the second youngest of seven children, and she and her family are still close to their African roots and culture. She founded Afrobeats as a way to connect her culture to Mercyhurst. The club teaches dances from different cultures, helping bridge the gap for students wanting to learn about different genres of music and ethnicities.

Jieny did not run in high school; she played basketball. She wanted to remain active, so she decided to join the Cross Country team. Her senior year, she chose not to continue to run so that she could focus on her academics. She still socializes with her former teammates and finds ways to stay active.

Before Mercyhurst, Jieny attended a trade school, receiving a degree in criminal justice. While going to school as a student-athlete and trade school, Jieny also helped her mother with the daily chores around the house. Her culture values respect and hospitality, so Jieny was taught to be respectful and courteous to guests and anyone she meets. Jieny's culture also valued Earth, and this led to Jieny's become an environmentalist. As an environmentalist, Jieny advocates for the protection of Earth and animals, she's still an advocate for Mother Earth. She fights for the protection and preservation of the Earth and all its living creatures.

As well as being an environmentalist, Jieny is also a humanitarian and hopes to incorporate it into her career. Jieny wishes to use her degree as a way to help those less fortunate and push for equality. Jieny isn't afraid to fight for what she believes is right because her mother told her always to be proud of what she stands for.

- Isabel C. Merriman