Chancellor Fiorentino's Blog

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

I don’t need to tell you that this time of year — end-of-term and the holiday season — can feel nothing short of overwhelming. Thinking back to my time as a university president, my wife and I would host or attend dozens of events and ceremonies, open houses, athletic events and more during the month of December. I cherished each moment, but it often felt like I was rushing through it all.   The rhythms of my role as chancellor are different. While I can’t say the pressure is less intense, I do have the opportunity to pause and reflect from time to time rather than just run full speed ahead at every moment.    This week — as some prepare for a much-deserved celebration of their December graduation — I find myself thinking about some of the most memorable experiences from my fall tour of the PASSHE universities, which just wrapped up. (You can view some pics HERE .) I’ll admit, the thought of traveling thousands of miles and countless hours as I started my 14-cam...

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...

When was the last time something surprised you?  As an educator, I’ve devoted my life to seeking and sharing knowledge, but after four decades of that work, it’s not every day I learn something unexpected. So, let me share a few things you might not have known.     Did you know that graduates from PASSHE universities are excelling in a wide range of fields that go well beyond our original mission as teacher colleges? In fact, business and health professions have joined education among the top three disciplines for our students.      Our alumni include business and community leaders, engineers, scientists, speech-language pathologists, veterinary technicians, drone pilots, law enforcement officers, safety managers, nurses, physician assistants, and — of course — teachers, among many other professions that serve Pennsylvania.      Yes, we are proud to be a major provider of teachers for our state, but did you know how much PASSHE universit...

Since coming aboard as interim chancellor in the fall, my top priority has been to advance the State System’s mission. Driven by the support of our faculty, staff, university leaders, trustees, and board members, we are working hard to foster the success of our students, our universities, and the communities we serve.  That work requires resources, and I’m thankful to Governor Shapiro for supporting our request for a 6.5 percent funding increase for 2025-26 — a demonstration of the Governor's confidence in our universities and our students — underscoring PASSHE’s positive trajectory.  The funding increase will allow us to keep our tuition flat for yet another year. This would be the eighth consecutive fall semester with no tuition increase, a real and tangible benefit to our students. Had tuition continued to grow with inflation, it would be about 25% higher today — essentially the cost of a whole year’s tuition in a student’s four-year career at a PASSHE university.  Inc...

Just a few weeks ago, students at universities across PASSHE crossed the graduation stage to mark the completion of their higher education journey. Some were already well-established in their careers, and securing a credential provided a much-needed boost. Many more are just now taking their first steps into their careers and doing so in a job market that is in constant flux, driven by rapid technological advancements and changing workforce demands.  Those graduates know what we know: It is essential to embrace change to remain competitive in today’s economy. Adapting to new opportunities is crucial for ensuring long-term success.  Currently, more than 60% of jobs in Pennsylvania require education beyond high school, but only 53% of workers meet these qualifications. This notable gap presents a valuable opportunity for our graduates, and PASSHE universities are committed to supporting individuals on their educational journeys to help them fill that gap.  We know that a PA...

Can you believe it? The fall semester is almost over.    In my previous blog, I shared some personal insights about how coming to this role has been an exciting — albeit unexpected — opportunity. These past few months have also brought new beginnings for our first-time students — a season in life that can be particularly challenging and overwhelming.   When I began my own academic journey at Bucks County Community College many years ago, you might say I lacked a clear sense of direction. (That’s putting it graciously.) Fortunately, I found myself in courses with exceptional professors who helped me discover my interests — what captured my imagination — which led to my major and guided me toward a career. To our first-time students, I hope you seek out those kinds of experiences in this first year and use them to shape your own path.   The dedicated faculty and staff at all PASSHE universities genuinely understand what it takes to inspire and support student...

I am told retirement presents an opportunity to explore new interests and reconnect with old hobbies. (Who is ready to join me for a 5K run?)  At least, that is what I am told.     I didn’t expect to receive a phone call just a few months after retiring that would put my plans on hold. After dedicating 41 years to West Chester University, where I began as an assistant professor and concluded my service as president, I was honored to accept the position of interim chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System. I feel inspired to serve the dedicated students, faculty, and staff of PASSHE as we begin a national search for our next permanent chancellor.   In this role, I’m eager to collaborate with the Board of Governors, university leaders, faculty, staff, and students to advance the strategic priorities of the State System (see below) — to reinforce the momentum we have gained as a system. Together with state leaders, we will work to secure vital investments that...