UNIVERSITY NEWS
What is your role as interim president at WCU? When I spoke with Chancellor Frank Brogan about becoming the interim president, he suggested one of two roles. The first role was that of a caretaker — someone who would sustain dayto-day operations. The second was to be a leader moving the University’s mission and strategic plan forward. I chose the latter. In today’s environment, it is especially important to advance the University’s agenda and actively engage with the many opportunities ahead. How has your past experience as a vice president, a dean and a faculty member prepared you for this new role? I have a long history with WCU that has evolved over time and enabled me to see academia from a variety of perspectives. As a faculty member who became department chair, I learned that it is essential to connect with students and understand their unique points of view. I also connect with faculty and the importance of being an advocate for the academic enterprise. As a dean, I hired more than 100 tenured faculty members. I see faculty as central to fulfilling our mission as they serve our students day in and day out. As a vice president, my duties expanded. I became part of cabinet and made toplevel decisions that gave me a broader understanding of WCU’s institutional priorities, and the responsibility to implement sound strategic planning and budgeting.
• Engage faculty, both existing and new, in the life of the University
balance the University’s budget. While annual enrollment growth has been a factor in our success, we are constrained by the University’s physical capacity. We need to seize opportunities presented to us by online education, as well as new graduate and undergraduate programs (e.g., engineering).
• Focus on overcoming state funding limitations
What are some of the University’s most recent success stories?
• Prepare and implement plans to manage enrollment growth and trends
I am very proud of our continuing commitment to student success. Outstanding work by our faculty and staff has resulted in record retention and graduation rates. Also, the advent of doctoral education at WCU is a major milestone, as is the growth in our distance education and Philadelphia programs. I can’t forget the increasing financial support of our alumni and friends. We have set a new record for giving this year.
We must do the following: • Continue implementation of WCU’s Building on Excellence Strategic Plan and prepare the campus to engage in developing its next vision and plan
• Strengthen our collaborative relationships with area municipalities and other important alliances • Reduce the achievement gap for students from underrepresented groups • Seek Board of Governors approval to offer undergraduate programs in biomedical, and industrial and operations engineering • Create a broader understanding of the impact WCU graduates have on the region How do you plan to engage WCU? I have enjoyed engaging from day one. This is my style. Reaching out actively to have meaningful conversations with students, faculty, staff, and alumni helps me understand perspectives about WCU’s strengths, challenges, climate and culture. These conversations have been critical in identifying some of the areas that we need to address.
How will you keep WCU moving forward?
What are the primary challenges that WCU is facing today and why?
It is critical that we help WCU gain access to new opportunities and ensure that we have the resources needed to fulfill our mission to all students, as well as future generations of students.
Funding is a primary challenge. In the face of declining state resources, we must work to maintain an affordable, high quality education for all of our students. As we try to maintain the lowest tuition possible, we must also
Why should alumni be proud of WCU? WCU has a long tradition of graduating students who achieve success in numerous fields. All alumni can feel proud of their alma mater as the University continues to grow its academic programs and enhance its brand. What is the one-word that describes your outlook on the year ahead? Opportunity.
CONNECT WITH the West Chester University Office of the President at wcupa.edu/president
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