YORK, Pa. -- David W. Chown, chief academic officer and senior vice president for the residential university of Upper Iowa University, has been named the new chancellor at Penn State York, effective Feb. 15. He replaces John J. Romano, Penn State’s former vice president for Commonwealth campuses and former CEO at Penn State York, who came out of retirement to lead the campus until a new chancellor was found.
"Dr. Chown is an accomplished academic leader with broad experience," said Madlyn Hanes, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses. "He brings particular expertise in strategic planning, organizational leadership, and collaborative and entrepreneurial approaches to program development. He is a scholar of strategic management. I believe he will be an asset to Penn State York and its broader community for years to come."
Chown said he is eager to lead Penn State York.
"I am pleased to be joining a recognized institution of high academic quality. The faculty, staff, students and community members were genuinely welcoming and open on our visit, which made the decision easy," Chown said. "My wife, Peg, and I are looking forward to becoming active members of the York community, and I am excited to soon be able to continue discussions with various stakeholders regarding potential new programs at Penn State York."
Chown served as UIU's chief academic officer and senior vice president since 2009. UIU is an international university of nearly 7,000 students at 25 locations including a portfolio of online programs. Among his principal responsibilities, Chown had oversight of quality assurance, accreditation and continuous improvement initiatives at all of UIU locations. Chown also oversaw the operations of the library, the office of the registrar, academic support, institutional effectiveness and student services.
Chown served two deanships. From 2007 to 2009, Chown was dean of the School of Business at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D., and was responsible for all aspects of undergraduate business programs in multiple areas including scheduling, curriculum, development, assessment, program review and strategic planning. He also supervised the staff in the Center for Excellence in International Business and Banking & Financial Services. Before working at Northern State University, Chown served at Reinhardt University in Waleska, Ga., as dean of the McCamish School of Business, from 2003 to 2007. Chown earned his doctorate in business administration at the University of Iowa.
"I am confident that Penn State York will enjoy its long-standing tradition of educational excellence and realize significant progress in the coming years under Dr. Chown’s leadership," Hanes said.