December 16, 2011
Wollman named Edinboro University of Pennsylvania president
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
Harrisburg – Dr. Julie E. Wollman, vice president for academic affairs at Wheelock College in
Boston, Mass., was selected today by the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State
System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to serve as the next president of Edinboro University
of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Wollman, who was appointed at the conclusion of a national search, will assume
her new duties on June 1, 2012. She will succeed Dr. James Moran, who was appointed
interim president of Edinboro University this past June.
“Dr. Wollman has a long and impressive record in higher education, including in several
key administrative positions,” said Board of Governors Chairman Guido M. Pichini.
“We are confident she will provide excellent leadership to Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania as we move forward in these challenging times.”
The president designate has served as vice president for academic affairs at Wheelock
College for four years. She is responsible for overseeing the college’s academic programs,
both on and off campus, including international programs. She also has been involved
both in fundraising, helping to boost the college’s grant funding from $300,000 to
more than $4.3 million, and in the establishment of multiple community partnerships
to help expand program options and recruit new students. These partnerships include
creative pathways toward master’s degrees in health care and an anticipated joint
doctoral program with a sister institution—a first for the college.
“Dr. Wollman’s vision and experience in many areas of higher education make her an
outstanding leader,” said PASSHE Chancellor Dr. John C. Cavanaugh. “She will be a
valuable addition to the State System and to our outstanding cadre of presidents.”
Dr. Wollman said she looks forward to the challenge of leading Edinboro University.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to join the vibrant Edinboro community,” she said.
“Edinboro is an excellent learning community where great things happen and great people
are made. In these challenging times for higher education, I am committed to providing
energetic leadership and to telling the Edinboro story. This is a powerful story of
high quality and exceptional affordability. I’m proud to be a part of it!”
“On behalf of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, I am pleased to welcome Dr. Wollman
as our 17th president,” said John E. Horan, chair of the university’s Council of Trustees.
“She has an exemplary record of accomplishments in higher education that will serve
Edinboro well as we continue our mission to provide a quality education for our students.”
Dr. Wollman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American literature
and language with a minor in French from Harvard University in 1981. She has a Master
of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Pennsylvania and
a doctoral degree in elementary education from New York University. She also attended
the Institute for Education Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
She began her academic career as a social studies teacher and curriculum coordinator
at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, Pa.
She was a teacher at Ethical Culture School in New York City for three years, during
which time she also served as a research assistant at New York University. She later
worked as a professional development facilitator at the New York Coalition Center
for Education Leadership and, in 1989, was hired as an instructor at both New York
University and Pace University. She was hired as a professor of elementary education
at Rhode Island College in 1992 and spent nearly 15 years at the college, including
three years as Dean of the Feinstein School of Education and Human Development.
Dr. Wollman was named vice president for academic affairs at Worcester State College
in Worcester, Mass, in 2007, where she was responsible for overseeing academic programming.
She also led the college’s strategic planning efforts, established an online scholarly
journal and redesigned the college’s program review process.
She has written numerous articles that have been published in academic journals and
has written two books on teaching writing and literature. Dr. Wollman is an institutional
representative to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, American
Council on Education, Council of Undergraduate Research and American Association of
Colleges of Teacher Education, among other professional associations, and has worked
with numerous community organizations.
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1857. It enrolls nearly 8,300 students
and has approximately 400 full- and part-time faculty and offers more than 100 degree
programs.
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher
education in the Commonwealth, with nearly 120,000 students. The 14 PASSHE universities
offer degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 500,000
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.