WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Pennsylvania College of Technology has named Randy J. Zangara dean of college transitions and first-year initiatives.
As dean, Zangara is responsible for coordinating and aligning first-year programs and services and the development of a collegewide retention plan. He also oversees the Penn College NOW dual enrollment program; K-12 outreach; new student testing, advising and scheduling; and recruitment and retention of identified populations, including veteran students. Additionally, he oversees all aspects of international programming at the college.
With 20 years’ experience in education administration and teaching, Zangara comes to Penn College from the Williamsport Area School District, where he last served as career and technical education director at Williamsport Area High School.
“Dr. Zangara has amassed a wealth of information about secondary education and an understanding of higher education that made him an ideal candidate for our dean of college transitions and first-year initiatives position,” said Carolyn R. Strickland, vice president for enrollment management and associate provost. “He brings fresh perspectives and a leadership style that will contribute to the success of our outreach and retention efforts. We are very pleased to welcome him to the Penn College community.”
Previously for the school district, Zangara served as a grade principal at the high school and Curtin Middle School, and as a business education and instructional support teacher for career and technical education at the high school. Before working in education, Zangara held positions in industry sales and marketing.
Zangara holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Immaculata College, a master’s in school administration from Duquesne University, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lycoming College and business education certification from Bloomsburg University. He is a graduate of Leadership Lycoming.
Zangara’s professional affiliations include the National Association of Secondary School Principals, The Pennsylvania Association of Secondary School Principals, ASCD — a global community dedicated to excellence in learning, teaching and leading — and the Association of Career and Technical Education.
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.