June 28, 2012

PASSHE Board of Governors extends contracts of seven university presidents

Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu

Those receiving one-year extensions are:

•Dr. David L. Soltz, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Michelle R. Howard-Vital, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Karen M. Whitney, Clarion University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Michael Fiorentino Jr., Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. William N. Ruud, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
•Dr. Greg R. Weisenstein, West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

“Each of the presidents who received a contract extension has demonstrated his or her strong leadership abilities and commitment to student success,” said Board of Governors Chairman Guido M. Pichini. “They have provided both outstanding leadership and the vision necessary to lead an institution of higher education in these difficult times.”

PASSHE university presidents initially receive a three-year “rolling contract,” which is subject to annual review. As a result of that performance-based review, a president’s contract can be extended by a year. The Board of Governors makes that determination based, in part, on the recommendations of each university’s Council of Trustees and PASSHE Chancellor Dr. John C. Cavanaugh.

New presidents recently were hired at East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana and Slippery Rock Universities of Pennsylvania and acting or interim presidents are serving at California and Mansfield Universities of Pennsylvania and were not eligible for an extension. Millersville University of Pennsylvania President Francine G. McNairy has announced her intention to retire at the end of the year.

The contract extensions do not include any changes in compensation or benefits.

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. About 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.