Staff Bios

MATTHEW G. SHAFFER:

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Matt, along with working with the staff in this area and overseeing the Gemmell Student Center, works as the chair for the Behavioral Assessment Referral Team (BART), serves as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Deputy Right to Know Officer, serves on the Presidential Commission for Sexual Harassment, and is a Co-Advisor for the Student Senate.  Matt also serves as chair for the Judicial Work Group within the State System to assist with data collection related to alcohol and other drugs. Matt Shaffer has been with Clarion University since August 2008 working primarily with Judicial & Mediation Services while working with Residence Life to assist with the hiring, selection, and training of student staff.  Matt now serves as the Director of Student Engagement & Development. 

Prior to joining Clarion University, Matt’s career in higher education began in 2000 as a residence director and as an assistant director in campus activities and also worked as an area coordinator and assistant director of residence life.

Matt holds an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Writing from Juniata College and a Master’s of Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 

In his spare time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, working outside, and sporting events.

Barb funk:

Administrative Assistant for Student Engagement & Development

Barb Funk is the Administrative Assistant for the department of Student Engagement and Development. Her role is to assist the Director, Assistant Directors, and most importantly, the students, with whatever they need with their organizations. Barb supervises the student staff at the Gemmell Info Desk as well. You will always find a helping hand in her colorfully decorated office. Students are always welcome anytime for anything. If she can't help you, she will make sure that she will find someone who can. The candy jar is never half full....... literally!

Barb is a Clarion University Alum and a forever sister of Delta Zeta Sorority.

In her spare time, she loves hosting gatherings of friends and family at her home, especially summer porch parties. She enjoys gardening, decorating, and traveling as much as possible. Her favorite place to be is anywhere with her husband of almost 30 years, Eric, their two adult "kids", Jessica and Eric and their family dog, a chocolate lab named Seger.

 

 

Brian Hoover:

assistant director of Student Engagement & Development

Weighing in at 268 pounds, Brian is the heaviest member of the Student Engagement and Development staff. He credits his love of doughnuts with his a.m. coffee as the key to this achievement. As luck would have it he is also the tallest member of the staff, and because of this fact, he is relied on for up to date weather updates for the area.

Brian was an undergraduate student at Clarion in the ’90s (yes he is getting old), left for a few years for graduate work, then returned in January of 2000 to work with Residence Life. In the Fall of 2010, he started working with the University Activities Board and has been with them ever since.

Brian has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Clarion University. He also holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs and a Master of Labor and Human Resources from The Ohio State University.

When he is not at work he enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball, music performance, and DJ’ing with his favorite wife Marcie.

Sarah Zerfoss:

 

Assistant Director for Student Conduct & Community Development

Sarah Zerfoss started at Clarion University in the Fall of 2019. She currently serves as the Assistant Director for Student Conduct & Community Development. Additionally, Sarah serves as the advisor for LEAD, Leadership Engagement and Development. Sarah also oversees the Mary Walter Leadership Series, which is a leadership program that challenges students to increase their knowledge of key leadership skills. Lastly, Sarah serves as the Co-Chair for the CU Engaged Coalition, which works to promote bipartisan civic engagement through the All In Campus Challenge.

Sarah has a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Clarion University. She recently attained her Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from West Virginia University.

When not at the office, Sarah enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her two dogs.