Posts

What we control

Image
In a time of constant change, it’s nice to have some traditions. For PASSHE, every October the chancellor traditionally shares insights about the system — the challenges and opportunities ahead — and lays out priorities for the academic year. It’s a moment to assess where we are and where we’re going. So, earlier this month I shared my thoughts at the Board of Governors meeting (you can listen to them HERE ). We celebrated the hard work that has been done to place our system on a better trajectory while looking honestly at the financial challenges ahead. Our universities change lives, prepare students for success, and provide the talent our commonwealth needs. That’s why we exist. So, I’m sharing this summary of my remarks directly with you, our PASSHE community, to invite you into the conversation. Celebrating system success This year, fall enrollment across PASSHE persisted at just under 83,000 students. Remarkably, eight of our ten universities grew or held steady compared to last ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The power of “what if”

Image
It’s a new academic year, but I wonder what is really new about it. Sure, some things won’t ever change. Move-in day will always require endless, sweaty trips between the car and residence hall. First-day butterflies will always arrive as we face the new year with equal parts anticipation, fear, and wonder. Finding a parking space….well, let’s not go there. In thinking about what’s new in how we deliver higher education as the state universities of Pennsylvania, we must accept that higher education shouldn't force individuals into a rigid, traditional box. This year, we will push those bounds through important dialogue, planning, and action across PASSHE as we ask “what if” more and more. “What if” are just two words, but they are powerful.  In the coming months, we will ask: What if we expand opportunity through direct admissions, flexible adult completion pathways, and accelerated tracks designed to meet critical talent demands? What if we explore offering a li...
Post a Comment
Read more

Launching the pioneers of tomorrow

Having celebrated my share of commencement ceremonies while serving as a university president, I reflect fondly on the opportunity to shake the hands of graduates the moment they turn into freshly minted alumni. Each face smiling, having long forgotten the blood, sweat and tears invested in making it to that stage. Each face focused squarely on what comes next.   Now, as chancellor, I get to tell their story in a different way. To tell the story of how our universities produced 20,000 graduates this year, the vast majority of whom will stay right here in Pennsylvania to live, work, and raise their families. To tell the story of how the state’s social and economic health depends on our universities preparing the next generation of leaders, educators, thinkers, creators, and more.    And what a story it is.   Our roots are deeply planted in teacher education — our universities having originated as normal schools. Today, while education remains a core strength...
Post a Comment
Read more

Greatness abounds

What do you get when you combine academic excellence with a drive to make a difference? You get the recipients of PASSHE’s Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award. Previous winners have gone on to become educators, engineers, lawyers, and leaders in global non-profits and community healthcare — proving that this award is an early indicator of real-world impact. This past week, we had the honor of recognizing Slippery Rock’s Abby Becker , the 2026 winner. Before celebrating her and the other talented finalists, it is important to reflect on the meaning behind this prestigious honor — the highest student award in the State System. Founded by Dr. Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, a charter member of our Board of Governors, the award looks beyond a transcript. It evaluates candidates on three essential pillars: academic mastery, extracurricular leadership, and a clear vision for how their university experience has prepared them to lead. These scholars represent the thousands of PASSHE students who take pride in their c...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Winning Combination

March Madness is the perfect name for this time of year. As the seasons shift, everything in the sports world seems to take off at once — from spring training and NCAA tournaments to local championships. It’s an exciting time, and I want to share a little about how our alumni are redefining the sports industry. Before I do that, let me take a little detour and share how we’ve been working together in Harrisburg to ensure our universities have a winning game plan for the future. Earlier this month, East Stroudsburg President Ken Long, IUP President Mike Driscoll, Millersville President Daniel Wubah and West Chester President Laurie Bernotsky represented PASSHE in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee. They spoke about the hard work our faculty and staff are doing to prepare students for the future. They discussed how we are working together to expand PA’s talent pipelines, modernize our institutions, and meet the needs of our students in a changing world. The following week...
Post a Comment
Read more

Affordability matters

Image
Traveling to every PASSHE campus this past fall reminded me why we do this work. Seeing our mission in action through the eyes of our students, faculty and staff reinforced just how essential this system is to all of Pennsylvania. That’s why we are so committed to ensuring a PASSHE university experience is not just high-quality but also affordable. Because we have regained our affordability advantage, this year alone our universities saw an increase in first-generation students, transfer students, and Pell students. On top of that, we saw record high student retention. Because PASSHE universities are affordable, more students can start and finish their degree. While it would be enough to protect affordability simply because it’s the right thing to do — allowing more Pennsylvanians to pursue their personal higher education goals — affordability matters for a broader reason. You see, our commonwealth is facing a talent supply crisis. There are not enough equipped, qualified ...
Post a Comment
Read more

People are the Power and Promise of PASSHE

Even with a fresh blanket of snow, the energy at our universities is electric as the spring semester begins. Students are energized and eager, and faculty and staff have been hard at work to ensure a smooth return. At the same time, we know all too well how quickly the next 16 weeks will go, so getting off to a good start makes the difference. Our people make the difference. You make the difference. And this year, we will lift up stories of how people are the true power and promise of PASSHE. Here are just a few: Dr. Randilyn Lewis , an assistant professor at PennWest University who helps nursing students build their confidence so they can positively influence their communities. Dr. Sherri Bergsten , a professor at Shippensburg University who conducts cancer research alongside her students and enjoys witnessing their growth.  People are at the heart of everything we do. Whether it's engaging our students, faculty, and staff, collaborating with the local community, or leveragin...
Post a Comment
Read more