Clarion University of Pennsylvania welcomed Dr. Karen M. Whitney as its 16th president on July 1, 2010. Since assuming the presidency, Whitney has articulated a vision of engaging leadership with the goal of advancing Clarion University and its region through increased degree attainment, a campus culture of civility, listening, entrepreneurialism, achievement, relationships, civic engagement, and institutional leadership.
Whitney formerly served for eleven years as Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Dean of Students at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). In that capacity, she was responsible for 12 departments and provided leadership for institutional strategic planning, policy development, and budget oversight to ensure the effective delivery of programs and services in close collaboration with academic affairs and finance and administration.
Prior to her post at IUPUI, Whitney served as Associate Vice President for Student Life at The University of Texas at San Antonio, where she also held positions as Assistant Vice President of Student Life and Director of Residence Life. She also held a number of positions in residence life at The University of Houston.
Whitney has a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts in Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Houston. She teaches, researches, writes, and presents in the areas of higher education finance, administration, law, student development, and student facilities.
Active professionally, Whitney is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), serving on its Committee on Economics and Work Force Development, and of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). Within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), she is a member of the Council of Presidents and the PASSHE Advocacy Committee. She is also a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Board of Directors.
Whitney has extensive experience in partnering with community organizations and civic leaders and has served on a number of non-profit boards. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.
