UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Kurt A. Kissinger, director of operations of the Penn State College of Medicine, has been named the University’s associate vice president for Finance and Business, effective Aug. 23.
As the deputy to Senior Vice President for Finance and Business and Treasurer David Gray, Kissinger will serve as chief of staff for the Office of Finance and Business, which includes 14 units and 2,800 full-time employees across the University. He will lead several initiatives to enhance finance and business operations across the University units and campuses.
“Kurt Kissinger emerged from a very strong field of finalists as the individual with the best set of relevant experiences, credentials and knowledge for this important role,” Gray said. “Kurt has the additional advantage of understanding Penn State and, in particular, the very dynamic health care environment which affects so many aspects of the University’s operations and finances. We are fortunate to have found someone of Kurt’s caliber to join Finance and Business at Penn State.”
Kissinger has been director of operations for the College of Medicine since 2011, overseeing strategic planning, budget development and operations management, including managing day-to-day functions of 12 program offices. He has worked with leadership to develop, implement and monitor the performance of initiatives to advance biomedical research, technology development, graduate education, research administration and faculty development. He led the dean’s college-wide initiative to improve workflow and enhance customer satisfaction and achieve operational efficiencies.
“I am excited to join Finance and Business at a time of key growth at Penn State, and look forward to working with this dedicated team in serving the various missions of the University,” Kissinger said.
Before joining the College of Medicine, Kissinger held leadership positions in both the private and public sectors, where he spearheaded public-private partnerships and worked with a range of stakeholders to implement strategic plans and community development projects. As a vice president of the Delta Development Group Inc., he led health care development services projects to support health care campus expansion and real estate development projects at community hospitals and health systems.
He was vice president for business banking at Susquehanna Bank PA, president and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Susquehanna Industrial Development Corporation and Sunbury New Enterprises Expansion Drive Inc. Kissinger has experience as a policy analyst, including serving as deputy director of the state Department of Labor and Industry’s Center for Workforce Information and Analysis.
Kissinger earned a bachelor’s degree in German and international studies from Dickinson College and a master’s in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. He has served on a number of University, professional and community boards, including the College of Medicine’s Strategic Facilities Planning Committee, the University Economic Development Association and the Pennsylvania Economic Developers Association.
Lisa Berkey, director of design and construction in the Office of Physical Plant, is currently serving as interim assistant vice president.