We want to feature YOU! Please contact:
Brittany Martin
Donor and Alumni Engagement
martinbriFREEWESTMORELAND
Office: 724-925-4040
Alumni Spotlight
Daniel McCormick
Our featured alumnus, Daniel McCormick, 23, of Greensburg, attended Westmoreland County Community College from 2021-2022 for general education credits and then returned in 2024 for Real Estate courses.
So what made McCormick want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“After graduating from Hempfield, I always knew I wanted to further my education but wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do. Westmoreland gave me the financial freedom to be able to take different classes without spending tons of money,” McCormick said. “I had always been interested in real estate and love home decor and older style architecture. My parents always had HGTV on and we used to randomly stop at open houses and so I always had an affinity for realty. We had moved a few times and I always really found interest in the home buying and selling process.”
“When I decided that I wanted to pursue real estate I began to look up where to take classes. I had previously taken some general credits at the college and was happy to see that they had a Real Estate program,” he said. “I reached out to an advisor and was set on the right path.”
At Westmoreland, McCormick earned his real estate certificate. After he finished the program, he was then able to sit for the licensing exams and earn his real estate license. He is now training through a mentorship program at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: The Preferred.
When looking back at his college experience, McCormick has fond memories that stick out.
“Any interaction with Rob (the student life coordinator) on campus was a great memory! I also loved the private study rooms for being able to crank out a few hours of work with a coffee or two from Westleys. My favorite instructor was Julie Zappone. She is in charge of the real estate program and created wonderful lectures for the classes. I was worried about having to take the program online and she was always available for questions and the lectures made you feel like you were in a proper class,” he said.
Now that he is a graduate of the college, what is he up to now?
McCormick states, “I am a licensed Real Estate Agent for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: The Preferred Realty. I was able to take my licensing test after finishing the program and then was able to meet with BHHS: The Preferred Realty and discuss signing with them. I am now currently working with buyers and helping them find their dream home and am helping sellers get ready to list their homes this fall. I am also a part of the Westmoreland West Association of REALTORS© which helps set standards and rules for agents and provides us with many helpful resources. I am very happy with my decision!”
How did the college prepare McCormick for his current career?
“The real estate program covered topics in real estate such as proper practices, law, property management and finance which laid solid groundwork in order for me to take the licensing exams. After some additional study guides and books I found online, I was able to pass both the national and state exams on my first try. There is a lot of on-the-job training with being an agent but the program did provide me with good base knowledge,” explains McCormick.
In McCormick’s spare time, he likes to cook and sing. He also likes to get a coffee and hit the antique and thrift stores. He would like to especially thank his family and friends for their support, with a special shout to his three cats: Joey, Sunny and Jax; and his one Shih Tzu, Bear.
His advice for current college students?
“Study hard and enjoy taking classes while you can. WCCC is a wonderful college and I am very grateful for the opportunities it has provided me. Life begins to get a little more stressful once you graduate and begin working, but it is all worth it in the long run!” says McCormick.
Please feel free to reach out if you need help with real estate or are also interested in going into the field and have any questions. McCormick can be reached at dmccormick@tprsold.com.
Sandra Keller, 66, of North Huntingdon, attended Westmoreland County Community College from 1996-1998 and is our featured alumnus.
So what made Keller want to attend Westmoreland after high school?
“I was set to go to Westmoreland right after high school to study computer technology, but accepted a job offer instead. Fast forward nearly 20 years later, I was being laid off but given the opportunity through a Pennsylvania program where they would help fund my education to further myself. That's when I decided to finally go to college,” exclaims Keller.
At Westmoreland, Keller earned two associates in science degrees: Graphic Design and Printing/Production. She also attended additional classes the summer following graduation to receive a diploma in microcomputer processing.
When looking back at her college days, Keller has fond memories that stick out.
“I remember receiving recognition at an awards dinner for the highest GPA in my field for that year. All of my instructors were great, but I really loved my graphics classes, photography class and public speaking class,” says Keller. “I was also part of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, the National Dean's List, Vision/Media Club and Computer Club.”
Now that she is a graduate of the college, what is she up to now?
Keller states, “A month before graduation, I interviewed and accepted a position as a graphic designer in proposal development with Electronic Data Systems (EDS). The day after graduating, I flew to Dallas, TX, to begin my training. I worked in their Pittsburgh office, eventually being promoted to proposal manager / Northeast regional contact, going remote in 2002. EDS was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2008, where I continued working as part of their global proposal team. In 2016, I accepted an RFP Analyst position with PNC, being promoted to content administrator a year later. I continue working at PNC and plan on retiring in July, 2026!”
Keller adds that she has been very fortunate along the way-- in each company she’s worked for, she was given the opportunity to better herself personally and professionally by self-education; either by learning HW/SW on-the-job, after hours, or by classes offered by her employer or local colleges. She thrives on continuous learning and adapting to an ever-evolving environment. Education is truly a gift.
During her career, she’s earned the following certifications: CFA Institute Investment Foundations level; Shipley Associates: Writing to Win and Winning Proposal Strategies; Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Expert Levels in PowerPoint and Word, Specialist Level in Outlook; APMP (Association of Proposal Management Professionals) Foundation Certification and Micro-Certification in Graphics.
Keller credits her knowledge of graphic software and public speaking from Westmoreland that really prepared her for the positions that she has worked in the past 25+ years.
Keller would like to thank her husband Chuck, son Ian and daughter-in-law Jamie as well as her grandchildren Milo and Evie, and Keller couldn't forget to acknowledge her cats Xena and Millie for staying by her side.
In her spare time, Keller enjoys reading, gardening, watching movies, and listening to Spotify while working. She’s a daily walker at her town's park. During the warmer months, she bikes on the many trails offered around southwestern PA. She also volunteers at the Westmoreland County Food Bank, packaging food each month for over 1,600 qualified senior citizens in the county. She’s also an active member of her church's decorating committee, which oversees the installation of interior decor based upon the liturgical calendar.
Her advice to current college students?
“Attend your classes, do your assignments and enjoy your time at college!” says Keller.
Westmoreland robotics student, Katie Lynn, is the first female machinist at her company. Click here to read more about Katie and her story.
Click here to read a Tribune-Review article featuring Westmoreland alum, Victoria “V” Jennings.
Emily Beerbroer instructs culinary students at The “Culinary Corner Cafe” at the Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center.