Clarion University Council of Trustees voted April 13 to recommend to the chancellor of the State System of Higher Education that President Karen Whitney’s contract be extended to 2020. Her current contract expires in 2019.
Whitney, the university’s 16th president, came to Clarion University in July 2010. During her tenure, she has led the university to articulate a mission to provide transformative, lifelong learning opportunities through innovative, nationally recognized programs delivered in inclusive, student-centered environments.
"It is an honor to serve the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community of Clarion University," Whitney said. "Clarion University is wonderful place with extraordinary faculty, talented staff, hard-working students and loyal alumni located in communities that support our important work."
Whitney has led efforts to raise Clarion's reputation of academic quality and high-impact
educational experiences. Several major efforts have transformed Clarion University,
including significant improvements to campus facilities with more than $150 million
of construction and renovation projects completed, designed to enrich the student
learning and community engagement experience.
Other priorities include:
• An upcoming fundraising campaign to support student success by offering more scholarships
to students and to enhance programs and services which directly help students to succeed
at Clarion and beyond graduation;
• Addition of 10 new academic credentials, including Clarion's first doctoral degree,
in areas of great interest/need to students, employers and the state;
• Increase of enrollment in priority areas such as health professions, business, education
and the sciences.
Trustees also voted on new officers: J.D. Dunbar, chair; Milissa Bauer, vice chair; James Kifer, secretary/treasurer. The officers will assume their new duties July 1.