She was Born in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Eldest of 3, graduated: B.S., Chemistry with Honors, Biology minor, University of Pittsburgh; Ph.D., Biochemistry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Married to Michael Shanblatt, a retired university professor.
They have two adult daughters, a grad student pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics and a middle school mathematics teacher/outdoor leadership educator.

Question and Answer:

Q. What is your biggest success up until now?
A. Raising two amazing daughters.
Q. What has been your biggest challenge?
A. Being financially independent at age 18 and putting myself through college. I have first-hand knowledge of juggling school, work, and finances. My father died when I was 10 and while my mother provided for us, I had to learn to make it on my own while being a full time student.
Q. What advice do you have for a student from the perspective of both a former student and a mother?
A. Take full advantage of all the college’s resources. If you are unsure of what you want to do, go to career counseling. If you are struggling with your classes, utilize your professor’s office hours or our skilled tutors. Register for your classes on time. Go to every class; just because your professor allows a few absences doesn’t mean you have to use them all.
Q. Where do you see Bucks County Community College in three years?
A. I would like to see an increase in enrollment, a higher completion rate, and I would like students to leave Bucks with the tools to succeed as well as a clear path to the next step. Foremost, I would like to see Bucks as a first choice for area students.
Q. What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
A. Too many to choose just one!
Q. Where do you most want to travel, but have never been?
A. The Pyramids of Egypt.
Q. What does your perfect day look like?
A. It starts with an event on campus where I get to truly engage with that group, be it faculty, staff, or students and by the end feel as though together we can make a difference. Then I like to hit the gym.
Q. What does your life say about you ?
A. I hope that it says I am someone who cares deeply about others. I feel fortunate to have carved out the life I have through hard work and persistence.
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. People who don’t take responsibility for their own actions.
Q. Who was your favorite childhood celebrity?
A. David McCallum from the original Man from U.N.C.L.E.; he was the cats meow!
Q. What word best describes you ?
A. Resilient
Q. What drives you each day?
A. A desire to make a difference for others, as people do for me!
Q. What is your favorite food?
A. You might need a whole book for this one…Stuffed Cabbage…my stuffed cabbage!
Q. What is your favorite holiday?
A. Thanksgiving; not for the food but for the fact that for a few days my family is all in the same place, talking, sharing, and cooking together.
Q. Where do you want to retire to?
A. The house where I live now.
Q. Where do you like to vacation?
A. I love camping in some remote place where it’s just me, my family, and nature. I also like visiting cities, especially museums.
Q. Who do you admire most?
A. Individuals who have overcome so much and who find strength in knowledge.
Q. What is your mission?
A. To help students make a better life.
Q. What trait in others most attracts you?
A. Strength
Q. How do you want to be remembered?
A. As someone who cared deeply about family, friends, colleagues and students in my personal life as well as at BCCC.
Q. You have a 10 minute speech to give at a high school, what is it about?
A. You hold your future in your hands. Make the most of it.
Q. What 3 things would you bring with you on a deserted island?
A. A kindle, a sharp knife….. that’s about all I need.
Q. What simple pleasure makes you happy ?
A. Cooking for my family and gardening.
Q. When you were a little girl, what did you dream of being ?
A. No occupation in particular, however, science has always fascinated me.
Q. What one thing would you change if you had to do it over?
A. Life is not perfect. You accept, learn, and grow from every decision and experience. You learn from your mistakes.
Q. Who is your favorite author?
A. Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorites.
Q. What is your favorite book?
A. “Middlemarch”
Q. What is your favorite quote?
A. “I do the very best I know how, the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end.” – Abraham Lincoln
Q. If you had to sum your life up in a paragraph, what does it say?
A. I am very fortunate to have led the life I have. While many hurdles and obstacles have found their way onto my path, I have always tried to find a way around or over them. My father instilled in me a love of learning at an early age and it has enriched my life immeasurably.