Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School issued the following announcement on May 6.
The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education today unanimously selected Dr. Charles E. Patterson to be the next president of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania effective immediately.
“I am honored to be selected to serve Shippensburg University as its 18th president,” said Patterson. “I continue to be inspired by the important scholarly work of our Ship students and faculty. I look forward to working collaboratively with our many stakeholders, partners, and friends of the university to ensure Ship is recognized as the flagship institution it deserves to be.”
Patterson has been serving as the interim president of the university since June 30, 2021, and was previously president of Mansfield University, a State System university in Tioga County, beginning in July 2019. Under his leadership, Mansfield University implemented strategic priorities resulting in increased enrollment and student retention.
Before leading Mansfield, Patterson served as senior advisor for outreach at the US Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid from August 2017 until he arrived at Mansfield.
He began his higher education career in 2003 as assistant director for sponsored programs at Baylor University. Six years later, he joined Georgia Southern University as chair and vice president for research and economic development of the university’s Research and Service Foundation, Inc. Next, Patterson was appointed interim president of Georgia Southwestern State University in January 2015, a position he held for more than two years before joining the US Department of Education.
Patterson earned a PhD in biochemistry and molecular bioscience from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 2002. He graduated in 1993 from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry.
“As interim president of Shippensburg University and former president of Mansfield University, Dr. Patterson has demonstrated that he is the right person to lead the university forward,” said Board Chair Cindy Shapira. “We believe his commitment to working with students, faculty and staff will help guide Shippensburg on its mission to provide an affordable and high-quality education. We are confident in our choice of Dr. Patterson to continue the great work that’s happening at Shippensburg.”
“Dr. Patterson has led Shippensburg for nearly a year with a strong commitment to student success and listening to all voices on campus,” said State System Chancellor Dan Greenstein. “Shippensburg is an outstanding institution and with his remarkable experience as a university leader, Charles is a perfect match for the university. He has been a great partner at the State System, and I look forward to continuing to work with him.”
Patterson brings nearly two decades of experience in university leadership to Shippensburg and a record of growth and institutional transformation. As interim president he has prioritized transparency, engagement, and collaboration.
“On behalf of the Council of Trustees, I express congratulations to President Patterson and First Lady Colleen. We welcome them to the Shippensburg University community. As we look to the future, we embrace the opportunity that is before us and will continue to work hard for the success of our students and expand the impact this institution has on our Shippensburg community, the region, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and beyond,” said Andrew Alosi, Shippensburg University Council of Trustees chair.
Original source can be found here.
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