Dr. Mary Elizabeth Yanocosek Gamble

Education 

• Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership & Innovation - Saint Francis University 
• Master of Arts in Organizational Communication - Marshall University
• Bachelor of Art in Communication Studies - California University of Pennsylvania 

Biography

Dr. Mary Elizabeth “M. E.” Yancosek Gamble is an associate professor in the College of Business and Aviation at Fairmont State University, where she teaches, mentors, and explores the intersections of business, communication, leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation, and is a member of Fairmont State’s Graduate Faculty.

She earned her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership and Innovation from Saint Francis University. Her research examined leadership development, developmental networks, and the relationships that support women’s advancement into executive leadership. She continues this work through teaching, scholarship, and mentoring emerging leaders.

Dr. Yancosek Gamble also teaches graduate leadership studies at Saint Francis University, including DOL 812: The Philosophy of Leadership Communication, a course that explores how communication shapes leadership through dialogue, identity, power, and human connection.

Before academia, she built a career in economic development, serving as State Director of West Virginia’s Small Business Division and as Small Business Developer for Loudoun County, Virginia. That foundation in entrepreneurship continues to inform her approach to teaching, community engagement, and leadership development.

Her higher education leadership experience includes serving as Chair of the Performing Arts Department at Fairmont State University, Chair of Business, Communications, and Media Arts at Bethany College, Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Wheeling (Jesuit) University, and the Scripps Howard Fellow for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Arizona.

She has also held marketing and leadership roles with Cafaro Company and Crown American Corporation. She was honored with Fairmont State University’s Faculty Recognition Award and was Bethany College’s nominee for West Virginia Professor of the Year.
Dr. Yancosek Gamble is a Wall Street Journal Opinion Leader, a Wikipedia Education instructor, and a member of NYT Sources and The New York Times Advertising research panel. She is also active in preserving regional history and community stories through her service with the Washington County Historical Society.

Originally from Washington, Pennsylvania, she earned degrees in Communication Studies from Pennsylvania West University (BA) and Marshall University (MA) and completed doctoral studies at Bowling Green State University.

She lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh (PA). She is the author of the blog Muddle Aged Crazy.

Courses Taught

• DOL 812 Philosophy of Leadership Communication