PASSHE names new chancellor

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Current interim chancellor and former president of West Chester University Dr. Christopher Fiorentino was selected Thursday as chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) by the Board of Governors.

Fiorentino will be PASSHE’s sixth chancellor.

Fiorentino’s career in  PASSHE spans 42 years as an educator, economist and higher education leader, Fiorentino’s career. He began as an assistant professor of economics at West Chester University in 1983, the year the State System was established. Fiorentino held several positions at the university, including department chair, dean, vice president and president. He retired from West Chester University in June and returned to serve as interim chancellor in October.

“I am honored and excited to serve the tremendous students, faculty, staff and university leaders across our PASSHE universities,” Fiorentino said in a statement. “For generations, these public universities have provided the education and critical thinking skills that open doors of opportunity and change lives. We remain as committed as ever to our mission of providing a high-quality, high-value education.

“Thank you to the Board of Governors for this incredible opportunity to serve our dynamic universities as we build toward an exciting future.”

The Board of Governors appointed Fiorentino following a nine-month national search that included current or recent chancellors and presidents. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, trustees, presidents, government officials, union leaders, donors, and other stakeholders provided input for the Chancellor Search Committee.

“Dr. Fiorentino is the right person at the right time to lead PASSHE into the future, ensuring our forward momentum and upward trajectory,” said Board Chair Dr. Cynthia Shapira. “His passion for our students and PASSHE’s mission is palpable. He understands PASSHE’s critical role in the commonwealth’s economic and workforce strategic plan. He is a proven leader who can execute our strategies for excellent student outcomes and the success of our universities. We look forward to his expertise and thoughtfulness as he leads our system.

“And to hundreds of you who participated in the search process, I thank you for your dedication and commitment to our future. PASSHE is on the rise, and we are excited about what is ahead,” added Shapira.

Fiorentino succeeds Dr. Daniel Greenstein.