Dr. Maravene S. Loeschke, provost of Wilkes University, has been selected to serve as the next president of Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.

The Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s (PASSHE) Board of Governors made the selection today at the conclusion of a national search. Dr. Loeschke will begin her tenure at Mansfield on July 1. She will replace Dr. David J. Werner, who has served as the university’s interim president since August.

Dr. Loeschke was named provost of Wilkes University in 2002. Previously, she served as Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication of Towson University, culminating a more than 30-year career at the institution in northern Maryland. She began her academic career as an instructor in the Theatre Department at Towson in 1970.

“Dr. Loeschke will bring to Mansfield University an outstanding record of success throughout her career,” said Board of Governors Chairman Kenneth M. Jarin. “She has a broad range of experience in academic leadership and is a proven administrator. She is an excellent choice to lead Mansfield University of Pennsylvania into the future.”

PASSHE Chancellor Dr. Judy G. Hample called Dr. Loeschke “a talented leader who will serve Mansfield and the Commonwealth well.”

“Dr. Maravene Loeschke brings a strong background and wealth of experience to Mansfield University” said Lew Lee, Chair of the University’s Council of Trustees. “Her commitment to diversity, passion for learning and student centered focus are attributes that will serve Mansfield University well as we prepare for our 150^th anniversary.”

Dr. Loeschke said she is looking forward to assuming the Mansfield presidency.

“It is a privilege for me to be chosen to lead Mansfield into its bright future,” Dr. Loeschke said. “I look forward with delight to working with the faculty, staff, students and the community.”

As provost at Wilkes University, Dr. Loeschke serves as the University’s chief academic officer, where she has been responsible for strengthening the curriculum, developing new programs and starting a Language Institute. She also created a diversity action plan for the University and participated in the University’s strategic plan revision and implementation.

Dr. Loeschke earned a Bachelor of Science degree in theatre and English and a master’s degree in education from Towson. She received her Ph.D. from The Union Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Dr. Loeschke began working as a production assistant and actress for Maryland Public Television in 1970. She was hired that same year as an instructor of theatre arts at Towson University and, four years later, was promoted to assistant professor. She became an associate professor in 1983 and was promoted to professor in 1990. She served as Chair of the Department of Theatre Arts from 1983 to 1996.

In 1996, Dr. Loeschke was named Acting Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication. She was named Dean the following year, a position she held for five years. In that position, she developed mentoring programs for new faculty, adjunct faculty, staff, non-tenured faculty and women faculty. The College also developed a leadership program for women and engaged in extensive marketing and public relations efforts under Dr. Loeschke’s leadership. She was actively engaged in fundraising, significantly increasing both the general college endowment as well as endowments raised specifically for student scholarships.

Dr. Loeschke has received numerous awards throughout her career, including the Towson University Alumni Service Award and the U.S. Postal Service Martin Luther King Service Award for her commitment to diversity at Wilkes University. She is a member of the American Association of University Professors, Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Theatre in Higher Education and the Emily Dickinson International Society.

She has published numerous books, articles and papers, as well as three plays. She has acted professionally and directed a number of plays.

Mansfield University is one of 14 universities that comprise the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. It enrolls approximately 3,400 undergraduate and graduate students. The University offers 62 undergraduate and eight graduate programs. Mansfield was founded in 1857.

With more than 107,000 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 405,000 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, Freeport, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg.