The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors voted unanimously today to extend the contract of Chancellor Judy G. Hample to July 31, 2008.

Dr. Hample was hired by the Board in June 2001 and began her tenure on August 1 of that year. She was given an initial three-year “rolling contract,” which is subject to annual review. Her contract also was extended each of the last three years.

The Board’s Executive Committee, following a review of the Chancellor’s performance over the last year, recommended the latest extension. The full Board voted unanimously to endorse the Committee’s recommendation.

“Dr. Hample has led the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education through a series of fiscal challenges, built a system of accountability for performance, and advanced an aggressive agenda designed to enhance the quality of education students receive,” said Board Chairman Kenneth M. Jarin. “As PASSHE’s new Board chairman, I look forward to working with her in the continued effort to make our public university system the best it can be.”

“I am honored to serve as PASSHE’s Chancellor,” Dr. Hample said. “I also am grateful to the Board for their continued confidence in my leadership. We will continue to work together on behalf of our students and the entire Commonwealth.”

With nearly 106,000 students, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. The 14 PASSHE universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 400,000 PASSHE alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. PASSHE also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.