Fifteen New Full-Time Faculty Members Join Point Park University

Point Park University is pleased to announce that 15 new full-time faculty members have joined the group of experienced professors of various disciplines at its Downtown Pittsburgh campus. These new faculty members bring their industry expertise and real-world professional experience into the classes they teach.

Darla Timbo, Psy.D., who is joining Point Park as the director of the master's program in psychology and an associate professor, shared why she's excited to be at the university.

"I feel like I’m coming into a space where I can bring all of the different parts of my professional journey together," Timbo said. "I’ve spent years as a clinician, educator, supervisor, business owner, consultant and community advocate, and I’m excited about being able to pour those experiences into the next generation of counselors and psychologists."

Timbo continued, "At this stage of my career, I’m also thinking a lot about legacy. I’m not just interested in what I can accomplish personally, but how I can pour into other people and how they feel when they walk away from an interaction with me."

Josh Sektnan, Ed.D., who is joining the School of Education as an assistant professor, also shared his enthusiasm for training the next generation: "I loved my time as a fourth-grade teacher, but I wanted to broaden my impact by preparing the next generation of educators. Point Park’s focus on students, relationships and real-world experiences made it the right fit. I often think of educators as lighthouses: when the storm comes, we remain a steady, positive light. I hope to prepare my students to be that light for every learner they serve."

Chad Roberts, Ed.D., director of the Sports Communication and Public Relations, Advertising and Social Media and an assistant professor of Sports Communication and Public Relations, said the small class sizes at Point Park are part of what drew him to the university.

"I am looking forward to teaching at Point Park because of the small class sizes here," Roberts said. "Being at an institution of this size really gives a chance to hear ideas from all students of different backgrounds, and that is how we grow and learn as a society."

With a faculty-to-student ratio of 13:1 and an average class size of 15 to 20 students, professors at Point Park can work closely with their students, engaging them in career-oriented, hands-on learning and professional mentoring.

Learn more about our new faculty on their bio pages linked below.