Interim Chancellor Christopher M. Fiorentino Ph.D.

The Chancellor serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the State System, overseeing its overall management and strategic direction.
 
The System Office is composed of a small dedicated policy staff within the Office of the Chancellor (OOC) and a collaborative network of staff from across the system. Together, these teams support the 10 member universities through centralized leadership and shared services.


Academic and Student Affairs

The Office of Academic and Student Affairs shapes policies and supports academic programs that help the universities deliver high-quality educational experiences. By partnering with Pennsylvania’s public and private sectors, the Office of Academic and Student Affairs ensures graduates are fully prepared to serve as the next generation of workforce leaders.

Administration and Finance

The Office of Administration and Finance utilizes sophisticated budgeting, accounting, cash management, and facilities systems to help the universities generate and sustain vital resources. The Office of Administration and Finance collaborates directly with campuses to optimize operations through entrepreneurship and flexibility.


Advanced Data Analytics

The Office of Advanced Data Analytics collects and transforms a wealth of data from the 10 universities, the commonwealth, and national sources into educational intelligence. This data empowers leadership to make strategic decisions that advance:

  • Student success and academic relevance
  • Educational value and regional responsiveness
  • Direct alignment with Pennsylvania’s workforce needs


Human Resources, Employee Benefits, and System Labor Relations

The Offices of Human Resources, Employee Benefits, and Labor Relations provide comprehensive HR, payroll, and consulting services to university staff and the OOC using SAP systems. The Offices of Human Resources, Employee Benefits, and Labor Relations ensure strict compliance with a wide range of complex regulations, including:

  • IRS tax laws and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
  • Commonwealth Management Directives, Executive Orders, and Administrative Circulars
  • Collective bargaining agreements, side letters, and arbitrations


DEI, Social Equity, and Compliance

The Office of DEI, Social Equity, and Compliance is dedicated to cultivating diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments where every member of the State System community can thrive. The Office of DEI, Social Equity, and Compliance collaborates with institutional leaders to build outcomes-based strategies that address inequities in:

  • Student access and academic achievement
  • Faculty and staff recruitment and professional development
  • Campus inclusivity and receptivity


Legal Counsel

Based at the Office of the Chancellor in Harrisburg, the Office of Legal Counsel (comprising the Office of Chief Counsel and University Legal Counsel) provides representation to the 10 universities. Most attorneys in the Office of Legal Counsel serve two primary university clients while maintaining system-wide specializations in:

  • Intellectual property and technology
  • Student affairs and employment discrimination
  • Real estate, construction contracting, litigation, and institutional development

 

Public Affairs

The Office of Public Affairs connects internal and external stakeholders to convey the value of Pennsylvania's public universities. The Office of Public Affairs maximizes statewide and local outreach across three core functions:

  • Media Relations: Managing public communications and press inquiries.
  • Governmental Relations: Liaising with elected and appointed officials.
  • Communications: Coordinating with university public affairs teams to align messaging.

Shared Services Center

Governed directly by the universities, the Shared Services Center leverages the collective power of the State System to reduce costs, improve efficiencies, and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Through system-wide collaboration, the Shared Services Center delivers streamlined support across the following areas: