Dr. Christopher Fiorentino, former West Chester University (WCU) President, was named permanent chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) earlier this week, writes Kristen A. Graham for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Fiorentino, an economist, was the interim leader of the system, which encompasses 10 universities and 82,000 students.
He faces several challenges in his now-permanent role, including declining enrollment, strong competition in a crowded higher education market, and a weakening economy.
“Chris is the right person at the right time,” said Cynthia Shapira, chair of the system’s board of governors. “A lot of this is about timing, and what’s needed now, looking into the future and also looking at a continuum of critically important work that’s on the docket and how that can lead to a future vision.”
Fiorentino recently retired from West Chester after leading the university for over four decades. Initially, he said he did not want his role in the state system to be permanent, but that changed once he immersed himself in the work.
“After several months of becoming really engaged around the critical and important issues and opportunities, I would say he became just totally energized,” said Shapira.
Read more about Christopher Fiorentino becoming the chancellor of PASSHE in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
_______
