Meet the Officers

Michael Gross, Director
610-921-7673
mgross@albright.edu

Director Gross is a graduate of Reading High School.  While in high school, he signed up for the delayed entry program with the United States Marine Corps and began his active duty shortly after graduation.  During his time in the Marines, he served stateside as well as overseas in several capacities.  He looked at service to his country much the same way as he views his class time here at Albright, a defining life-changing experience. During his employment with the Department of Public Safety, Director. Gross graduated from Albright in 2011 with two degrees.  The true worth of a liberal arts education is a perspective that not only prepares you for a career; it also requires you to engage in thought-provoking experiences that enrich you as a person.  His value in working in higher education is based on his insight to prepare as well as to educate students for a productive life after leaving Albright. Working on a college campus provides each officer with the unique opportunity to do that. Director Gross was sworn in as a private policeman for Albright College through the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County in 2006.  He is the department’s Clery Compliance Officer and is a lead instructor for the College’s Service Excellence initiative that is designed to make the Albright experience exceptionally positive for everyone who comes in contact with Albright.  In addition to attending many conferences, training courses and seminars throughout his tenure at the College, he completed an intensive program that prepares law enforcement managers for senior positions by uniquely combining academic principles with practical applications through the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command. His message to students is this:  “Whatever your passion is, pursue it to your fullest extent.  Regrets are something you have if you don’t take full advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you.  College is a unique opportunity that many don’t have for a variety of reasons.  Please take advantage of it because the opportunity may not come again.  Good luck to you during your time at Albright.”

John McCormack, Assistant Director
610-929-6763
jmccormack@albright.edu

John is a graduate from the former Holy Name High School and Alvernia College (University) with a B.A. in Criminal Justice System Administration. Early in his career, he worked at a nuclear power plant and shortly thereafter, he was hired as a Juvenile Corrections Officer at the Berks County Juvenile Detention Center. He quickly rose through the ranks and as the Superintendent, he was responsible for three distinct secure and residential 24-hour per day programs, as well as a diverse staff of professionals ranging from correctional, medical, treatment and support services. John was honored with the President’s Award and the Distinguished Service Award by JDCAP. In conjunction with his years of public service, he was also an elected Constable and performed duties such as serving civil papers, warrants and prisoner transports. He is also a graduate of the Minor Judiciary Education Board and was certified to hold the office of District Justice. Along with a long list of past certifications such as, passive physical restraint, Crisis Prevention Intervention, fire training, etc., John is certified in “Safe Schools” in PA and “Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Higher Education” provided by FEMA, and is a certified trainer for  A.L.I.C.E. active shooter training. John has also completed training for Sex Crimes Training for Campus Police and Public Safety Agencies, as well as investigators of Dating Violence / Domestic violence / and Civil Rights / Title IX Investigators. Prior to his employment at Albright, John worked in the business sector and was the head Tennis Coach for the Alvernia University men’s tennis team from 2012-2016. John looks forward to assisting with the established procedures in the Department of Public Safety with his experience in the criminal justice system, the business world and higher education.

Eric Jenkins, Captain
610-929-6762
ejenkins@albright.edu

Eric Jenkins is a graduate of Reading High School and attended Susquehanna University, Reading Area Community College and Temple University.  Early in his career he worked in banking, shortly thereafter decided to get into working with children as a Therapeutic Support staff.  Eric then began to work for PeaceWorks department at Berks Women in Crisis as a Community Educator.  In 2001 he was hired at the Berks County Youth Center where he began his Juvenile Corrections career.  He started as a Shelter Care Counselor and then quickly rose through the ranks transitioning to the Juvenile Detention program serving as a Resident Director.  As a Resident Director he supervised Juvenile Corrections Counselors in a 78 bed Detention program.  Eric also specialized in Gang intelligence and was a member of the 222 Anti-Gang Initiative as well as becoming a Trainer at the Berks County Youth Center often training new hires and providing re-certification training for staff.  He has also worked at the Children’s Home of Reading as a Residential Services Manager overseeing the residential program, Abraxas Academy as a Treatment Supervisor for the Detention program and Bethany Children’s Home as a Cottage Supervisor for the Independent Living Program. Eric resides in Schuylkill County with his daughter Maya.

Tyus Tisdale, Full Time Public Safety Officer
610-921-7670
ttisdale@albright.edu

Officer Tisdale is a graduate of Muhlenberg High School in the class of 2018. He decided to attend Berks Technical Institute to get his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. He will be graduating with his Associates Degree in June 2020. He then wants to continue his education at Albright College and get his Bachelors. Before becoming an Officer at Albright he worked at Supportive Concepts for Families. He took care of individual’s with mental health disorders as well as intellectual disorders. While he was there he was certified in CPR and First AID. He is now a proud member of the team and ready to gain some experience in the field.

Stephen Yakscoe, Full Time Public Safety Officer
610-921-7670
syakscoe@albright.edu

Officer Yakscoe was hired as the on-campus shuttle driver in April 2016. Throughout the summer months, he performs shift work on an as-needed basis, as well as transporting students, faculty and guests to various airports. He also assists ADP in delivering materials to the various site locations. After graduating from DeSales University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Computer Science, Office Yakscoe joined the financial services industry with SEI Investments. He then worked in the transportation business; his favorite celebrity is Jay Leno! Officer Yakscoe is the proud father of six children and has been happily married to his college sweetheart for thirty years. He enjoys spending time with his family in Ocean City, MD.

Christina White, Full Time Public Safety Officer
Clwhite@albright.edu

Officer Christina White has joined the Department of Public Safety since November 2021. She is a Full-Time Officer on the force. Christina was born and raised in Reading, PA and currently resides in Shillington, PA. She is a graduate from Reading Senior High School Class of 2013. Officer White is attending the University of Phoenix and pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration. Her personal goal is to become a member of Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society. Her professional goal is to use her degree to become either a Deputy Sheriff or a Juvenile Probation Officer for Berks County. Christina has previously worked at Abraxas Academy Youth Detention Center as a Youth Development Specialist for their Treatment Program. She gained criminal justice experience working as a Security Supervisor with US Security Associates (now Allied Universal) from 2016-2019. Christina is a 1^stDegree black belt in Taekwondo and has a passion for kickboxing and mixed martial arts. She has been in gymnastics for about 7 years prior, competing all over the state of PA. Her area of expertise is criminal justice and corrections. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, going on nature walks, exercising, and meditating. She is a mentor and activist for mental health online. She hopes to one day make a difference in her hometown Reading, PA

Enrique Sanchez, Full Time Public Safety Officer
esanchez@albright.edu

Kevin Achey, Auxiliary Public Safety Officer
610-921-7670
kachey@albright.edu

Officer Kevin Achey has been with the Department of Public Safety since 2007. He has served as a both a full-time and Auxiliary Officer. Kevin is currently a full-time Police Sergeant at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. He has received extensive training in the Jeanine Clery Act, Title IX investigations, crisis intervention, and emergency response planning. Kevin completed a 3-day Investigation of Dating Violence, Domestic Violence and Stalking Training Course at Gettysburg College. He also possess a certificate from the Pennsylvania State University Justice and Safety Institute as a Field Training Officer. Prior to his employment at Albright, Kevin gained experience in the Criminal Justice Field working for the Berks County Youth Detention Center, and multiple private investigator firms in Eastern Pennsylvania.

Tom Albert, Auxiliary Public Safety Officer
610-921-7670
talbert@albright.edu

Tom’s responsibilities in public safety include covering shifts, providing security for sporting and campus events. Additionally, Officer Albert runs the campus shuttle several days a week and provides transportation for college field trips. Tom has completed sexual harassment and Title IX courses. He has also successfully completed the 7 and 15 vehicle safety course, as well as the defensive driving and the utility cart courses. Tom is also certified in CPR, AED, First Aid, Narcan use; O C spray and handcuff use. Officer Albert was born in Lebanon, Pa and graduated from Lebanon High school in 1968.  He graduated in 1972 from Lebanon Valley College with a B.S. in Biology and went on to graduate from the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine(Temple Univ.) in 1976. Tom was a foot and ankle doctor in the Reading and Berks county area for over 40 years with emphasis on diabetic foot and ankle care, and wound care along with sports medicine. Tom was one of the founders and the first president for three years of the Lower Alsace township crime watch association. He was a past board member of the Olivet’s Boys and Girls’ Clubs of Berks county in the 1980’s. Tom was a previous board member of the Oley Valley Youth League as well as their softball commissioner for nine years. He was also a board member of Berks Ballet in the late 1970’s.

Joseph Cafoncelli, Auxiliary Public Safety Officer
610-921-7670
jcafoncelli@albright.edu

Joseph Cafoncelli, graduated from Reading Senior High School and entered the United States Air Force. He was trained as a Security Police Officer. While stationed at George Air Force Base California he was promoted to Sergeant. During his four years in the Air Force he participated in numerous deployments. Officer Cafoncelli volunteered to participate in EC-79, the mission to rescue American hostages in Iran. For that mission he was awarded The Humanitarian Service Medal for services above and beyond the call of duty. After his service was completed Office Cafoncelli was hired by the City of Reading as a Police Officer. His 22 year career was filled with working in all facets of Police work. Promoted to the rank of criminal investigator in 1999 working on all types of cases. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and returned to the Patrol Division. In 2005, he transferred back to Criminal Investigations as a supervisor of a platoon of Detectives. During that time his team opened a 1993 cold case Homicide. Charges of rape and murder were filed and the defendant pled guilty to avoid the death Penalty. The last assignment of his police career was as supervisor for the officers assigned to Reading High School and the Citidel. Officer Cafoncelli graduated from the Albright College DCP program in 2002 and currently works as a Court Liaison Officer for the Reading Police Department.

Theresa Hegedus, Auxiliary Police Officer
610-929-6762
thegedus@albright.edu

Auxiliary Police Officer Hegedus has been a part-time police officer in the Department of Public Safety for the past two years. She is an American Heart Association certified First Aid and CPR/AED instructor for the Department. Officer Hegedus is a graduate of the former Reading Central Catholic High School and a 1985 graduate of Albright College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Pre-Law. She is also a graduate of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, retiring after 25 years of service. Throughout her career, she was stationed at Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, Frackville, Reading, and Lancaster and attained the rank of Patrol Corporal.

Karan Long, Auxiliary Public Safety Officer
610-921-7670
klong@albright.edu

Karan has worked part time in the department of public safety since 2002. For 40 years she has also worked as a line tech for Linettes Quality Chocolates. She is a Reading High School graduate who majored in business. She is also a certified Yoga, Pilates and dance instructor. Karan always wanted to go to school for nursing, although she didn’t get to attend nursing school, she has always worked hard to support her family. To her family is most important. Karan also adores animals. She grew up with Saint Bernards and also has a love for ducks. In her spare time, she enjoys taking care and playing with her animals and spending time with her family. Karan loves her job at Albright College, to her they are like a second family. She plans to continue at Albright College after she retires.