Ready. Set. Succeed.

I love summertime in PA, and I hope you’re finding time to spend with family and friends. Before we know it, our 14 universities will be welcoming more than 100,000 students back to campus for the start of another academic year. As you continue to make the most of the summer, I thought I’d update you on some of what’s been happening around the State System.

• We’ve welcomed two new students to the Board of Governors. Rodney Kaplan Jr., president of the Student Government Association at West Chester University, and Joar Dahn, president of the Community Government Association at Bloomsburg University, were recently nominated by Gov. Wolf, confirmed by the state Senate, and have joined fellow student Brian Swatt from IUP on the 20-member board that oversees our 14 universities.
• Four new university presidents began their presidencies on July 1—Dr. William J. Behre at Slippery Rock University, Robert M. Pignatello at Lock Haven University, Dr. Daniel A. Wubah at Millersville University, and Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson at Clarion University. They have joined us from all around the country to come to Pennsylvania to advance our priorities of student and university success. We welcome these experienced leaders to our campuses and communities.
• Our System Redesign efforts are moving full steam ahead as we advance our three priorities: 1) ensuring student success, 2) leveraging university strengths, and 3) transforming the governance/leadership structure. The Board of Governors is cutting red tape and streamlining how we do business. Our universities are offering more degree programs that are of great interest to students and are what our communities need to be successful. We are laser focused to ensure the success of every student!
  

Transitions. Transformations.

My year as interim chancellor will wrap up September 3, when Dr. Daniel Greenstein will become the System’s fifth chancellor. He led the Postsecondary Success strategy at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and previously was a top administrator in the University of California system. We couldn’t have found a better person to continue our System Redesign—to ensure that student success continues as our #1 priority and that all 14 universities will be successful. The System is transforming itself, and this next year will be one of continued transformation.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get ready for the fall, and ready for the future.