Administration

Lehigh Valley Chancellor Williams announces retirement

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. -- The chancellor of Penn State Lehigh Valley, Ann M. Williams, announced today (Sept. 22) that she will retire in July after 15 years of service to Penn State.

“Ann enjoys long-standing excellent relationships with members of the broader community," said Madlyn Hanes, vice president of Commonwealth Campuses. "She is admired by alumni, community friends and business leaders. She has been an excellent steward of the campus and the University in the region,”

“During her tenure as chancellor, the Lehigh Valley campus has enjoyed continuous growth and is now among the top five in enrollments among the University college campuses,” said Howard Kulp, chair of the Penn State Lehigh Valley Advisory Board. “Dr. Williams’ inspirational leadership and ongoing advocacy for Penn State Lehigh Valley students, faculty and staff has been both admired and appreciated. She has ensured that Penn State Lehigh Valley is poised for continued success in the years to come.”

Williams joined Penn State in 2000 as chancellor at the Lehigh Valley campus. She orchestrated the campus’ move from its previous location in Fogelsville to its current location in Center Valley in 2009, tripling the amount of academic and recreational space for students. Less than three months after acquiring the facility, Penn State Lehigh Valley students were able to start the fall 2009 semester at the new campus.

During her tenure, the campus has grown in physical size and enrollment as well as in diversity, academic and cultural programming, student life, athletics and outreach. In addition, the respect she has attained among local Penn State alumni, faculty, staff and members of the Lehigh Valley community helped the campus receive its largest ever single major gift and successfully achieve its goal in the University’s most recent campaign, For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. Additional gifts included funds to name the campus’ art gallery, music room, video learning room, and several other class and conference rooms.

Most recently, her commitment to serving the adult student population earned her the University’s Shirley Hendrick Award.

Prior to joining Penn State, Williams spent 19 years at Luzerne County Community College, serving as professor; the dean of Liberal Arts, Science and Allied Health; the dean of Administrative Affairs; special assistant to the president on labor; vice president of Economic and Community Development; and many other related positions.

Williams was formally educated at Wilkes University, Marywood University and Temple University in the areas of psychology and adult development/adult education.

A search for Williams’ replacement will begin later this fall.

Ann Williams is the chancellor of Penn State Lehigh Valley.  Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated September 22, 2014

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