Lydia Glenn

News Editor

lmg5921@psu.edu

Recently, Kelly Austin has been named permanent Vice President for Common Campuses at Penn State. Austin has also been placed into the role of executive chancellor. Austin’s placement was approved by the University’s Board of Trustees and became effective on January 17. 

Although just approved for the position, Austin was serving this role already in an interim capacity since August 2021. He took over for Madalyn Hane after she retired. 

A Vice President and Executive Chancellor’s job is to provide administrative leadership for all Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses. Penn State has 20 Commonwealth Campuses which enroll about 25,000 students. The World Campus academic programs which are based online also fall under the care of Austin. 

All Commonwealth Campuses including ones like Behrend, Altoona, etc. will report directly to Austin as he will serve as the Budget Executive. 

In addition to his new role, Austin will also continue to oversee the Commonwealth Campuses’ academic and administrative programs and operations. These operations include strategic and facilities planning, program and curriculum development, student and faculty recruitment and retention and the integration of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. 

Austin will also work in partnership with the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research to advance Invent Penn State. Invent Penn State comprises the 20 innovation hubs throughout the Commonwealth Campuses. The hubs are currently helping to drive entrepreneurship, economic development and job creation in communities across the state. 

Nick Jones, Penn State’s Executive Vice President and Provost said, “I am thrilled that Kelly will be leading our Commonwealth Campuses into the future, as he possesses the collaborative spirit, communication skills, sound judgment, passion and energy to help our campuses grow and flourish.” Jones also stated, “Kelly knows firsthand the valuable role that our campuses play as centers of culture, education and employment, and he brings the perfect blend of practical experience and fresh perspective to build on the exciting work already happening at our campuses.” 

Before his new role as Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses for Penn State, Austin was an Associate Vice President for administration within the Office of the Senior Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses. Austin also previously served as the Chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill from 2012 to 2017. Before that, he was Vice President of Finance and Administration at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown from 2008 to 2012. 

Needless to say, Austin has a long history of working for universities where he either served as president or vice president of a program. 

“It is a great honor to serve the Commonwealth Campuses. Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses are at the very core of fulfilling the University’s land-grant mission and exist to support Penn State’s long-standing commitment to making higher education accessible and affordable. The Commonwealth Campuses have a significant impact on the communities in which they are situated. They drive economic activity throughout the state, they promote and inspire innovation and they serve as important access points to students,” said Austin.