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, the steady pipeline of highly skilled talent flowing out of PASSHE universities into business, health, and STEM fields is nothing short of impressive. In fact, STEM occupations are projected to grow more than 10% nationwide by 2033, and this year alone more than 2,000 of our graduates earned degrees in STEM areas. 

As these graduates enter the workforce, they join a proud tradition of leadership forged by our alumni. Here is just a small glimpse of how alumni from PASSHE universities are making an impact in the STEM world:  

Aerospace & Global Security: In deep-space research, Dr. Andrew Ryan (Slippery Rock University) is a prominent planetary scientist analyzing asteroid samples returned by NASA’s historic OSIRIS-REx mission. Meanwhile, David Folta (Kutztown University) has spent decades shaping key designs for NASA missions. Dr. Sian Proctor (PennWest Edinboro) also made history as the first Black woman to pilot a spacecraft.   

Health & Medicine: In elite surgical and medical fields, alumni save lives and redefine industry boundaries. Bonnie Anderson (IUP) co-founded and led Veracyte, revolutionizing global cancer care through genomic diagnostics. In the operating room, Dr. Zachary McDowell (East Stroudsburg University) specializes in robotic surgery for urologic cancers and is dedicated to training the surgeons of tomorrow. 

Tech & Infrastructure: Our graduates secure the modern digital economy and push the boundaries of technical infrastructure. Cybersecurity expert Hakeem Thomas (Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg) leverages decades of technology expertise to safeguard critical enterprise networks. We also see innovators like Jake Henry (West Chester University), founder of LectraTech, who is advancing wearable engineering to solve modern healthcare challenges.   

Academic Research: The pursuit of new scientific discovery continues at top-tier research institutions, driven by minds educated and teaching within our state system. Hugh Herr (Millersville University) is leading groundbreaking biomechatronics research at MIT, pushing the limits of bionic limbs. At the same time, acclaimed industrial chemist Dr. Neal R. Dando (Shippensburg University) has led innovative research in sensory technologies and materials engineering, securing corporate patents to protect vital manufacturing infrastructure.   

These are but a handful of countless alumni who are contributing to STEM fields here in Pennsylvania and around the world.  This pipeline of excellence does not happen by accident; it is fueled by faculty and staff who care deeply about their work and even more so about their students. As an example, Dr. Ezekiel Crenshaw (Cheyney University) is a proud alumnus who returned to his alma mater to teach and mentor the next generation. He and others like him ensure our institutions do more than grant degrees; they launch tomorrow’s pioneers.     

We know this: a college degree continues to provide clear, long-term value for graduates and the state. Graduates from PASSHE universities earn about 65% more over their careers than those with a high school diploma alone. For Pennsylvania, this translates into greater economic mobility for residents and a more resilient workforce.   

And looking beyond the dollars and cents of it all, we must never forget that a university experience helps prepare individuals to not only navigate but to lead in a world that is more complicated and more dynamic than they ever imagined.    

To our alumni, we say thank you for making the most of your PASSHE university experience and contributing to our world. To our entire Class of 2026 — across every major and every university — know that your hard work is a lasting investment in yourselves and your communities. The world is ready for your leadership. Now show us what you’ve got!