About the Staff

Amanda Samko received her Bachelor’s degrees in International Business and Marketing from Penn State Behrend University. After graduation she put her educational skills to use in the real world through a career that began as an administrative assistant at a small engineering company, and grew to a position as the Director of Administration for a fast-growing non-profit organization. She gained experience along the way in sales, marketing, and human resources, through several positions with start-up technology companies. Amanda is also currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management at Robert Morris University. 

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Amanda feels a strong connection to the non-profit organizations that exist in this beautiful city. She enjoys the fact that her career allows her to interact with the many faces of Pittsburgh’s non-profit world on a regular basis. When she’s off the clock, Amanda enjoys exercise of all kinds, reading novels, and spending time with friends and family.

Gloria joined the NEED staff in 2003 as an independent contractor providing services in the area of accounting and fiscal management. She is responsible for all accounting activities, including policies/procedures, cash management, and budgeting and financial reporting. She works directly with the president and chief executive officer in developing and monitoring statistical and financial reports to provide high-quality management information.

Gloria has an undergraduate degree in accounting and business administration from Alabama A&M University and a master's degree in public policy and management and a certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of Pittsburgh. She serves as a memeber of the board of directors of Working Women with Disabilities and held the treasurer position for seven years. Gloria is also the financial consultant to Addison Behavioral Care and UMOJA African Arts Company.

Received an Associates' Degree from CCAC in General Studies and is currently working on receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Teachers Education as a part of CCAC's transfer program with Slippery Rock. Before joining the NEED staff, Loretta worked with the Pittsburgh Public School District for four years as the Program Coordinator for the Science and Math Academy that was located at Westinghouse High School. She is currently serving the students of Imani Christain Academy as the NEED Advisor where she is helping students to reach their goals of attending either a post secondary college or vocational school upon graduation.

Arlene is a symbol of commitment and service as she has been affiliated with the organization for over 30 years. She is a 1973 NEED reciepient, joined the staff as a student employee and became a full-time employee in 1975. As the student services coordinator, her duties are many, including counseling students in matters of application and financial aid paperwork, visiting various regional schools to discuss college and NEED's services, maintaing the student database, tracking and matching all grants and respective recipients, assisting in financial aid workshops and being NEED's primary point of contract for approximately 1,700 students annually.

Arlene is pursuing her undergraduate degree in information technology from Carlow University. She received her associate's degree fromt he Community of Allegheny County. She serves as secretary/treasurer for Financial and Moral Supporters, a charitable organization providing support and encouragement to Allegheny County youth.

Data collection and administration is a critical piece to the NEED organization, and we are grateful to have the expertise and knowledge of Bill Kubicky as a part of our team. He has extensive experience building, maintaining, and managing databases of various sizes and types. At NEED, he works hard to gather statistical data from students to be used in making important decisions about the programs and services that we offer. He recieved his a Bachelor's Degree from The University of North Florida. When not working hard to obtain and analyze data, Bill enjoys cheering on the Buccos and watching baseball games, teeing off on the golf course, and spending time with his family and two German Shepherds.

Mary Pat is a former assistant principal and administrator practitioner at Peabody High School. She has been a NEED college and career advisor for one year at the Creative and Performing Arts and Schenley High School.

She has an extensive career in education spanning 35 years including academic counselor, pupil affairs specialist, lead teacher/teacher on special assignment to the superintendent of schools. Other areas of expertise are facilitation training, conflict resolution, crisis intervention and educational problem solving.

Mary Pat received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from West Virginia University and her master's degree in K-12 counseling education from the University of Pittsburgh. She also earned an elementary and secondary principal certification in administrative and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Her professional affiliations include the National Counselors Association, Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals, Phi Delta Kappa and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.