Chancellor Fiorentino's Blog

It’s been said that time moves faster when you’re busy. While not inviting a debate on the scientific merits of that statement, I wholeheartedly agree with it. For years, we’ve been busy — you’ve been busy — all across our PASSHE universities. Together, we’ve undertaken a significant redesign effort that has challenged all of us to rethink what we do and how we do it.  Yes, very busy. Many of you have heard me say we must never confuse activity for results . So, when we are able to share good news about the progress we are making, we should celebrate and acknowledge the hard work that made it possible. This fall, PASSHE universities set a record-high retention rate of 81% — measuring the number of first-year students who returned for their second year. All of our universities are using data-driven strategies to support and retain students. They understand that remaining in college is essential for students to reach their career and income goals, which dovetails with our mission to...

A few years ago — long before I ever imagined being in this role — I shared some thoughts regarding how PASSHE universities bridge the gap between the demand for higher education in Pennsylvania's job market and the actual number of adults with higher education credentials. Even while we do our part to prepare students for success after graduation, one immutable truth remains: the world is changing at a faster pace than ever before. As universities, we prepare students to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, and creative problem solvers. We also know it is essential to marry these skills with the advancements in technology that are shaping each industry and sector in new and powerful ways. That brings me to artificial intelligence. As we all come to understand the potential power of AI, it is essential for professionals in every field to understand how this technology will influence their work. When I say "every field," I truly mean every sing...

Let me take you back in time nearly a decade. During my time as president at West Chester University, PASSHE undertook a comprehensive system redesign effort. We began by examining our system from top to bottom — in great detail — to understand where change was needed.    It was a phenomenal effort that gathered input from thousands of students, faculty, staff and others over the years. When PASSHE began the process, we were already experiencing a significant decline in enrollment, making it clear that we could not continue with business as usual and expect to thrive.     In the years since, we made bold decisions and substantial changes including integrating six universities into two, leveraging our scale and collective strength through shared services, and launching a systemwide student information system that would open the door to program sharing and course sharing like never before. While we should celebrate the progress we have made, it’s apparent that we ...

Now that commencement has been celebrated at our universities across the state, it's a good time to reflect on the significant role our graduates play in shaping Pennsylvania's future. We take immense pride in the fact that, along with many talented individuals from neighboring states, 90% of our graduates come from Pennsylvania, and 80% will stay here after graduation — bolstering our workforce. It is truly inspiring to see so many students choosing to thrive right here in our commonwealth, with an impressive 62% continuing their careers in Pennsylvania even a full decade after graduation.    When I meet with members of the General Assembly, I often emphasize that supporting our universities is synonymous with supporting Pennsylvania. Our institutions play a vital role in developing the thinkers, creators, and doers that fuel the state’s talent supply.   By leveraging our rich tradition in the liberal arts and aligning our academic programs with the needs of today’s...

It’s graduation season — one of my favorite times of the year, second only to the holidays when my children and grandchildren come to visit.    We in academe call it “commencement” — a word that means “the beginning” — which is fitting because we are celebrating the start of something new in the lives of our graduates.  We come together to celebrate their success and to honor the dedication of our remarkable faculty and staff who have helped them reach this point.    This month, thousands of PASSHE university graduates all across the state will join the ranks of nearly 850,000 who came before — taking what they’ve learned and doing great things in the world. For those graduating this year, their resilience and determination are exceptional, especially considering the many challenges they’ve faced during their university years, not the least of which was a worldwide pandemic.   When I was a faculty member — and then as university president — I committed...

I’m a runner. I have been for a long time.   On my runs, I usually follow a familiar route. Of course, there are alternate routes—shorter or longer—depending on the day.  And there are times when I’m compelled to chart a new path.   I suppose you could say that is how I’m approaching my leadership of PASSHE, first as interim chancellor and now as the permanent chancellor. I’m honored to have been asked to serve, and I look forward to the new pathways we can establish together.  Here’s one example: to supply the talent our state needs, we must create educational pathways that serve all students, meeting them where they are and guiding them toward success.  PASSHE universities continue to attract a consistent share of Pennsylvania's college-going population; however, that overall population becomes smaller each year. Meanwhile, the state requires a well-educated workforce, as jobs that require a college degree are projected to grow at twice the rate of t...