Sabrina Rightmer, who grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California before moving to Media as a freshman in high school, is the Director of Communications and Marketing for Student Affairs at West Chester University.

Rightmer, whose first job was as a cashier in the octagonal barn at Linvilla Orchards when she was 14 years old, earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from WCU. She credits a colleague, Chris Brenner, with having the biggest impact on her career.

“When I started (as a student) at WCU, I was assigned a staff mentor, Chris Brenner, through the multicultural center mentoring program,” said Rightmer. “Chris started out as a mentor to guide me through my first year, but she’s been guiding me ever since. I was a stubborn 18-year-old sitting in her office, and Chris pushed me out of my comfort level to get involved in student organizations and attend leadership conferences, and it sparked this passion in me for student engagement.

“Now, working in Student Affairs at my alma mater, I find ways to educate students about the opportunities to expand their education outside of the classroom, and it all started with Chris showing me the way. As colleagues and friends, she supports me, challenges me, and continuously shows me how to strive for excellence and lead with compassion in every setting.”

Rightmer is proud of being the on-campus advisor for The Abbé Society, an honorary community service organization at WCU that she was also involved with as a student.

“Helping advise and support the women in the circle as they coordinate fundraising efforts, develop relationships with community partners, and find the need in our community through volunteering is my favorite part of my work,” she said. “My proudest accomplishment was being awarded Advisor of the Year at the Student Leadership Awards and receiving the letter that the society’s president wrote in my nomination. It was a full-circle moment for me, as I, too, was shaped by The Abbé Society as a student.”

Rightmer’s favorite Chester County restaurant is Roots Café in West Chester.