She, along with the Program Director and Assistant Director, have worked over the years to fine tune the program which focuses on Audition preparation for students planning to pursue a theater degree in college. When not otherwise occupied, Val works on planning and catering various School of Drama events, meetings and celebrations.

Val has her B.A. in Acting from Indiana University, Bloomington and her M.F.A. from West Virginia University. She lives in Monroeville with her husband Robert and has two grown children, Jess and Luke. She spends her free time with her close group of friends, traveling, improving her skills on the piano and ukulele and enjoying her love of sports, particularly as a devoted fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates.