Clarion University president named interim chancellor of Pa. State System of Higher Ed
Karen M. Whitney is named.
Clarion University president Karen M. Whitney will become interim chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, the board of governors announced Friday in Harrisburg.
Whitney, who will assume the role Sept. 12, follows Frank T. Brogan, who announced last month he would retire Sept. 1. The board said it will start a national search in the fall for a permanent successor to lead the system of 14 state universities.
"Karen Whitney has provided strong, steady leadership as president of Clarion University for the past seven years," Cynthia D. Shapira, chair of the board of governors, said in a statement. "Because she has strong relationships across the system and beyond … she will be able to hit the ground running so we can continue our forward momentum."
Whitney's appointment comes as the board develops plans to implement a restructuring of the system recommended by a recent consultant's report to deal with financial and enrollment woes.
Whitney previously announced she would step down from Clarion in June 2018. With her appointment as interim chancellor, she will now leave Clarion in September.
–Martha Woodall