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, 2009.

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 by the Board. Her contract also was extended each of the last four 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 continues to provide outstanding leadership to the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education,” said Board Chairman Kenneth M. Jarin. “She has led the System in the pursuit of educational excellence on behalf of our more than 107,000 students. The Board and I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Hample in our constant effort to make PASSHE the best system of public universities 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, and I pledge to continue to work with them to enhance the quality of education our students receive and to serve the entire Commonwealth.”

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.