School of Education Alumnus Mark Bonacci is Dean of West Mifflin Area School District Alumni Profile
Meet Mark Bonacci '10 '23
- Job Title & Employer
- Dean, West Mifflin Area School District
- Majors/Programs
- Secondary Education, Educational Administration-M.A.
- Hometown
- West Mifflin, Pa.
- High School
- West Mifflin Area High School
- Now Living In
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Hobbies & Interests
- Spending time with my family, Pittsburgh Penguins, watching Turner Classic Movies, listening to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and George Strait
“The Point Park experience for Mark was valuable in the sense that we were able to transfer class pedagogy into the real-life experience of dean. Mark is constantly working to enhance his skills to move into a higher-level role in education by using data to find patterns of discipline and attendance to ensure all students receive a quality education.”
"Point Park's School of Education prepared me for a plethora of situations through the rigorous content of the courses. I learned so much in both the undergraduate and graduate programs that is applicable in my role as dean."
Why did you choose Point Park University for both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees?
For my bachelor’s degree in secondary education, I was impressed with the Downtown Pittsburgh location of the University and the smaller, more intimate class sizes. For my master’s degree in educational administration, I came back because I had such a great experience the first time around that when it came time to continue my education, Point Park was at the top of my list.
Describe the experiences you had as an undergraduate and graduate student.
Both experiences were fantastic. In the secondary education program, I had professors who were knowledgeable, dedicated and genuinely cared about supporting the students. At that stage of my life, that was exactly what I needed. During my graduate studies, I was very impressed with the organization of the online program. It was easy to navigate, well-prepared and full of valuable educational information.
How did the School of Education foster your professional growth?
Point Park's School of Education prepared me for a plethora of situations through the rigorous content of the courses. I learned so much in both the undergraduate and graduate programs that is applicable in my role as dean.
Which faculty members had a significant impact on you?
I had several faculty members who had a significant impact during my time as a Pioneer, including Darlene Marnich, Ja Nel Orwig, Ed Meena, Stanley Denton, Dimitris Kraniou, Suzanne Miller, Phil Feinert and Carmelita Korbett. I'd also like to mention an extra special thanks to the late Bahman Homayoonfar, one of the most wonderful educators and human beings I have ever crossed paths with in my life.
Tell us about your role at West Mifflin and what you enjoy about it.
I currently serve the West Mifflin Area School District in an administrative role as the dean. I have been going back and forth between the middle school and high school weekly, doing a variety of tasks. What I enjoy most about my work is helping students grow and reach their goals and hopefully have fun during that process.
How did Point Park help prepare you for this role?
The compassion and empathy that Point Park educators showed me really stuck with me. I carry those values with me daily and lean on them in my interactions with students. I can’t thank the School of Education faculty enough for showing me that.
What advice do you have for students pursuing careers in education?
Success is not always a straight line. There will be bad breaks and setbacks. Stay the course and keep advancing. Do not get discouraged.
Why would you recommend Point Park to an aspiring or current educator?
I recommend Point Park with every fiber of my being. Point Park has helped me unlock doors that I believed to be previously unopenable. The School of Education has great faculty and staff!
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone along the way who has helped me achieve my goals. Take care of yourself and your families!