Office of Marketing and Communications

Office of Marketing and Communications

Marketing and Communications team


The Office of Marketing and Communications is composed of dynamic storytelling professionals dedicated to sharing the university’s distinctive Franciscan heritage, timeless core values and transformative education model to a wide range of internal and external audiences.


As dynamic problem solvers and campus partners the office leverages news and media relations, marketing, branding, photography, videography trademark and licensing, website and social media to help the university accomplish its strategic priorities.


Mission Statement: Through the execution of strategic, creative and collaborative initiatives, the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Office of Marketing and Communications (OMC) advances the university’s mission through the curation, stewardship and elevation of the Alvernia brand.

Meet the Team

Kristin Eck 2024

Kristin Eck

Senior Marketing & Communications Specialist Office of Marketing and Communications
| 610-790-1938
Jon Fassnacht 2023

Jon Fassnacht

Director of Website and Editorial Content Office of Marketing and Communications
| 610-796-8208
Lynn Gano 2023

Lynn Gano

Senior Director of Creative Services Office of Marketing and Communications
| (610) 796-8240
Sarah Matarella 2025

Sarah Matarella M.A. ’22

Senior Associate Director of Communication and Social Media Office of Marketing and Communications
| 610-796-8344
Adam Pivirotto 2025

Adam Pivirotto

Multimedia Marketing Manager Office of Marketing and Communications

Our Work:

State awards Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program (RACP) support for Alvernia’s American House

Funding strengthens community health partnership and expands experiential learning in downtown Reading

RACP 2026 American House

Central Penn. Business Journal, Lehigh Valley Business name Alvernia's Giannini to Most Influential Leaders List

Organizations to honor the senior leader on Aug. 18 in Reading

Gaetan Giannini Lehigh Valley Business Award

Alvernia students develop patent-pending nursing education technology, win regional business plan competition

Learn2Inject transforms classroom innovation into award-winning healthcare startup with support from the O'Pake Institute

Learn2Inject O'Pake INstitute Fellows, Engineering Students Win Business Plan Competition

National rankings and local recognition highlight Alvernia's commitment to student success and values

University recognized by Colleges of Distinction, Money magazine and Berks County Living's People's Choice Awards

2026-27 COD
Bridget Donachie

MSAT grad receives national recognition

Bridget Donachie MSAT '26 received the 2026 Bobby Gunn Student Leadership Award, a national recognition from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation, at the 77th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo ...

  • College of Health Sciences
  • 2026
Brady DeGroodt Fire Museum

Firefighters museum enjoys revival thanks to O'Pake fellow

PHOTO: Bill Sheeler, from left, John Trimble, and Brody DeGroodt '24 MBA '25 at the Reading Area Firefighters Museum. In a way, the Reading Area Firefighters Museum was facing a three-alarm fire. It needed a strategic plan to keep the 16-year...

  • 2026
Michael Barnwell

History major, an Air Force veteran, relishes in-person connections

Most adult students prefer the flexibility of online courses, which allow them to tailor learning to their schedules.Michael Barnwell ’26 sought the opposite, seeking the interaction he thrived on during 20 years in the U.S. Air Force.“I wanted th...

  • College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
  • 2026
Brody DeGroodt

O'Pake Institute work helps MBA student stockpile experience for future career

In his years at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, Brody DeGroodt ’25 has had many rich experiences — four years as a baseball player, academic excellence that included the History Achievement Award at the Honors Convocation, and deep friendships.But perhaps th...

  • College of Innovation, Discovery, and Enterprise
  • 2026
Brett Berger ’22, Dr. Rodney Ridley, Joern Tinnemeyer and Leah Kemper ’21 work with engineering equipment in an Alvernia lab.

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Magazine

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's Office of Marketing and Communication produces Alvernia's annual alumni magazine.