Monday, December 21, 2015

A few words of advice

As we bring 2015 to a close, I want to offer this message to our students—recent, current, and future. First, we all extend congratulations to our recent graduates who were joined by family and friends last weekend to celebrate the conclusion of a very important chapter in their lives. Commencement is a testament to all of the hard work and dedication these students demonstrated throughout their time at one of our 14 State System universities. My advice to them: remember that as this chapter closes, a new one will begin. Whether you choose to pursue graduate school or launch your career, you have been given invaluable tools by university faculty and staff—tools such as critical thinking and communication skills—that will equip you for success in life.

For our returning students, who are still working toward their degrees, consider 2016 as an opportunity to start fresh. My advice to them: reflect on how far you’ve come; take pride in those things you knocked out of the park; and double-down on your effort with those things that are most challenging. Your friends who walked across the graduation stage last week are living proof that you can achieve this goal.

If I didn’t mention high school seniors, I would be remiss. My advice to them: the year ahead will require very important decisions for your future. Finding the right path to fulfilling your dreams is extremely important. Take a hard look at all of the opportunities that universities, community colleges, and technical schools provide, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. If one of our 14 State System institutions is the best place to start your next chapter, we’ll be excited to welcome you into our family of more than 107,000 students.

To the students, faculty, staff, and administration, we extend our wishes for a very happy holiday season and look forward to an exciting new year.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Embracing Innovation

Now in my third year as Chancellor of the State System, I find that sometimes we may be tempted to fixate on our immediate challenges and lose sight of the remarkable opportunities that are right in front of us. It is important to pause, raise our sights, and recognize the excellence that permeates our universities. In the recent “State of the System” address, I talked about how our 14 universities are embracing innovation as we continue to deliver Pennsylvania’s best value in higher education. In this month’s blog, I wanted to highlight just a few examples of the kind of innovation that proves we are a force to be reckoned with in the 21st century.

Innovation in the classroom: IUP’s Department of Employment and Labor Relations uses a unique technology that brings students from all over the country into the classroom…virtually. This goes way beyond Skype, allowing an almost unlimited number of students to be live on-screen while enabling the students to interact with the professor and other class members in real-time. Students who can’t get to campus now have access to the same rich classroom experience.

Innovation in the marketplace: David Tini, a music education major at Slippery Rock University and trumpet player in the Marching Pride, noticed the need for a mouthpiece warmer during a cold game at Edinboro University. So, he created a device called “HotLips” that heats the mouthpiece of an instrument prior to use. SRU’s Sustainable Enterprise Accelerator is working with him to develop a business plan to bring the product to market.

Innovation in society: East Stroudsburg University is providing all graduating seniors at winter commencement with environmentally friendly gowns made of recycled plastic. The new regalia, which won’t cost any more than traditional gowns, will be used in all future commencement ceremonies.

While these universities aren’t the first to demonstrate innovation, they show that our students, faculty, and staff are contributing to the success of the Commonwealth and its future. I hope you will share with me your stories of innovation, by emailing chancellor@passhe.edu.


You can also check out this episode of Infinite Opportunities to see even more examples of innovation in the State System. 

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

A few thoughts for the new year

The start of the academic year is an exciting time for everyone. For new students, the questions range from ‘what will classes be like?’ to ‘where can I get coffee?’ No matter how big or small the questions seem, teams of faculty, staff, and other students across our 14 universities make it a priority not only to answer the questions, but to welcome students into their extended families.

My son is entering the fourth grade, so I know how important it is for students to have leaders on campus to help him navigate the right path. Let’s face it, no matter if you are 10, 18 or 35, you want to know that the time you spend as a student will be rewarding and fulfilling. So, don’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, this whole experience is about seeking, learning, and sharing knowledge.

For our newest students, remember that the title of “freshman” is just that—a title. Soon enough, first-week jitters will fade away as students of all ages and backgrounds come together in classrooms and laboratories all across our campuses to take a few steps closer to fulfilling their dreams. And while it’s important to lean on your past successes for motivation, know that it’s what you do today and tomorrow—and the tomorrows to come—that will matter most. Successes and failures…learn from them all.

Now, I hope you’ll take a minute to view a short video message from me and some images from move-in day across the State System.



Friday, June 26, 2015

Big decisions ahead for the State System

It’s June. For college students, that means the summer break is half over. For those of us who work in higher education, we are spending these days closing out the fiscal and academic year and preparing for the next. And for the State System’s Board of Governors, that means a very full agenda for its July meeting. Amid all of the important initiatives underway, I want to point out a few that will be key to shaping the future of our System.

For the first time in the State System’s history, all universities have developed multi-year Action Plans that outline their goals and aspirations, strategic priorities, challenges, and opportunities. The plans will be discussed in the coming weeks and will be updated annually to provide our stakeholders with a transparent opportunity to understand the future path of each university.

Obviously, a big part of that effort will be ensuring the proper mix of academic programs. As the Commonwealth’s economy continues to evolve, the State System is changing right along with it. Next month, the Board will consider 16 new academic programs—bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees—that have been designed to meet the needs of the 21st century. In fact, many of the new programs were developed with direct input from business and industry partners; several will be offered online and be available to students virtually anywhere, anytime.

Even during these challenging fiscal times, we must invest in the future. That means not only developing and offering new academic programs that better align with changing times, but also making strategic decisions involving existing programs. (And on the operational side of the house, we must continue to maximize shared services and System collaboration.)

Over the last five years, the universities have introduced more than 60 new degree and certificate programs and minors. During the same time, more than 150 programs that no longer meet student demand or needs of the Commonwealth have been placed into moratorium or discontinued, and more than 60 have been reorganized or reinstated to meet new market demands. It is that kind of flexibility that will foster the long-term viability of all of our universities.

Summer will soon have come and gone, but the important decisions we make in the coming weeks will help our state universities ensure they are ready and able to serve the students of the Commonwealth for years to come.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Supporting our students’ success

At commencement ceremonies held all across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania this past weekend, nearly 17,000 students became alumni of our 14 State System universities. More than 80 percent of those will remain here to live, work, and raise their families—making them vitally important to Pennsylvania’s economic future. To each and every one, we say, “Congratulations!”

The education that our graduates received at their universities—both inside and outside of the classroom—has prepared them for success in the future. As they succeed, so will our state. As they thrive, so will our state. We need their knowledge and expertise to drive the economy of Pennsylvania and to create a foundation that future graduates can ultimately build upon.

So how do we continue to support our students’ success?

That’s easy. Give them the tools and resources they need to reach their greatest potentials. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to that purpose, and we are working now to secure more state funding as part of that equation. The State System generates $11 in positive economic impact for every one dollar invested by the Commonwealth. That’s an investment that will benefit us all.

On Saturday, I saw firsthand the great things our students can achieve. Those freshly minted graduates are optimistic about what lies ahead. Not only do they want to build a greater future for themselves and their families, but also to help shape the success of our state moving forward. They are ready and prepared for the next chapter, and I know their spirit and courage can show us all why the affordable, high-quality education provided by the State System is worth the investment of time and treasure.

Monday, April 20, 2015

State System Day on the Hill

Last week, approximately 140 representatives from our 14 universities descended upon the Capitol for our yearly advocacy day. The group worked as one to share the important message of investing in the System. Our students—who are the best ambassadors for the State System and our universities—took center stage as they shared their educational experiences with legislators, many of whom went through the same experiences, sometimes at the same schools. It’s a valuable connection from both perspectives.

We also announced the results of an economic and employment impact study that revealed the State System has a $6.7 billion total positive impact on Pennsylvania. That means the State System produces nearly $11 in economic impact for every $1 invested by the Commonwealth through its annual appropriation. This funding is an investment—not an expenditure—in a reinvented system that is dedicated to the success of 110,000 students. This return on investment is a tremendous added benefit to the high-quality, high-value education the universities provide to students.

(Watch the press event held in the East Wing Rotunda of the Capitol during State System Day on the Hill to release the results of the study.)

We know there are many other groups that ask the General Assembly for support, but I think it’s fair to say that our well-informed representatives and our economic impact study made a very compelling case on the System’s behalf.

While our advocacy day on the hill is over, our job is not. Advocating for investment in the System can be accomplished by everyone in various shapes and forms throughout the year. The stronger our unified message is, the harder it will be for anyone to doubt what the State System can and will do for the students we serve and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Investing for the Future

Pennsylvania is at a crossroad as we enter the time of year when decisions will be made regarding how to invest the public’s hard-earned money. Governor Wolf’s support of higher education rang loud and clear this week with his proposal to increase investment in the State System’s 14 universities by 11 percent. This is welcome news after seven years without an increase in state funding.

We all recognize the important role our universities have in providing access to opportunity for 110,000 students. Our state universities are engines of economic development for the communities they serve and the entire Commonwealth—providing the talent that fuels business and industry across Pennsylvania.

Providing a high-quality, high-value education has always been the mission of the State System. Even as it has endured significant budget cuts for much of the past decade, we have limited tuition increases to around the rate of inflation in most years.

The Governor has challenged publicly supported colleges and universities to hold the line on tuition. We are answering that call. The Board of Governors said in October that base tuition could be frozen next year if the State System received enough funding to fill next year’s budget gap. That continues to be our position, and we are grateful for the Governor’s leadership on this issue.

We are engaged in this important dialogue with the Governor and our friends in the General Assembly as they begin their work on the budget, which will not be an easy task. Our students are a great investment, and every tax dollar allocated toward our universities provides a real return on investment.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

14 universities. Infinite opportunities.

What exactly does that mean?

It means that when students are part of one of our 14 universities, they have access to a wide range of enriching opportunities—academically, socially, and professionally.

We recently developed our first “14 universities. Infinite opportunities.” video, which highlights the experiences of some students and alumni from our universities. This will be the first in a series of short videos that show why our universities, students, faculty and alumni have, and will continue to have, a powerful impact on the Commonwealth. 

Watch the video now!



Thursday, January 8, 2015

Advancing the State System in 2015

While it’s only a few days into 2015, I already can feel the excitement and optimism all across the State System—from the Board of Governors to Trustees and university leaders to faculty, staff, and students—as we look forward to the year ahead. I want to take a moment at the start of this new year to outline a number of important initiatives—all of which will continue our momentum toward becoming the most student-centered, flexible, and collaborative university system in America.

Looking at some of those key initiatives, it’s easy to see it’s going to be a very busy year:

Advocate for investment 
Our universities are engines of economic growth for the communities they serve and the Commonwealth as a whole. We will continue engaging with elected leaders, business leaders, and community leaders to enhance support for and investment in the State System’s 14 universities by identifying new revenue streams and advocating for sound public policy.

Promote academic program alignment 
The world is changing, and our universities are doing their part to adapt and evolve to ensure relevance well into the future. With more than 80 percent of State System alumni remaining in Pennsylvania after graduation to live and work, our universities are working to align their academic program offerings to reflect the changing demands of students and the needs of the Commonwealth.

Advance key strategic initiatives designed to meet the goals of the 2020 State System Strategic Plan
By making advances in areas such as closing the gap between degree production and workforce demands; expanding international education; enhancing online learning opportunities; and enhancing the general education program, we will create even greater learning and career development opportunities for our students as laid out in the System’s strategic plan.

Enhance accountability, planning, and transparency
We are introducing an accountability framework built on the State System’s Strategic Plan. This will lead to individual university action plans that will outline the future path of each institution and an annual accountability report that will capture the progress of all institutions on key metrics in an easy-to-use format.

Promote strategies to improve university financial stability
We will further advance strategies to increase cost savings, and improve the efficiency of shared services to help ensure the high-quality, high-value education our students expect and deserve.

As with any journey, we will face ups and downs along the way; but, if we continue to keep the students at our 14 universities our top priority, we will accomplish these things, and more.