PennWest president will begin new job with State System of Higher Education on July 1

Valerie Myers, Erie Times-News
·2 min read

Pennsylvania Western University's founding president is stepping down.

Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson has accepted a new position with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education as president-in-residence and CEO for PennWest Investment on July 1.

Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson
Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson

Her new job will focus on securing additional long-term investment in PennWest, PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein said in a statement.

Becoming PennWest: Expectations for what will change, what won't

It was an honor to lead the consolidation of the former Edinboro, Clarion and California universities of Pennsylvania as PennWest, and it was "the privilege of a lifetime" to serve as the new university's founding president, Pehrsson said in an email to PennWest students, faculty and staff.

"I love PennWest and have given it my all. As we look toward the future, I firmly believe now is the right time for me to make this transition and focus on mobilizing the resources PennWest needs," Pehrsson said.

Kathy Pape, chairwoman of PennWest's Council of Trustees and an Edinboro University graduate, praised Pehrsson's leadership in consolidating the three former universities.

At Mercyhurst University: Kathleen Getz looks back at her first year as president

"It takes someone special to bring people together and create a new institution. Dr. Dale approached that task with extraordinary focus and compassion. As trustees, we thank her for her vision, her hard work, and her insistence on always putting students first," Pape said in a statement.

Pehrsson joined PASSHE in 2018 as president of Clarion University. She was additionally named interim president of Edinboro University in December 2020 and of California University of Pennsylvania in July 2021.

Greenstin has recommended that Laurie Bernotsky be named as interim president of PennWest until a new president is named. PASSHE will conduct national search to fill the position, Greenstein said.

College enrollment: Erie schools range from sharp drop to record high as student pool shrinks

Bernotsky, previously with West Chester University, has been PennWest's chief operating officer since its inception in July 2022.

She will be the ninth president or interim president at PennWest's Edinboro campus, previously Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, in a dozen years.

Here's a list of recent Edinboro University presidents:

  • Pehrsson, interim president, December 2020-July 2023;

  • Guiyou Huang, president, July 2019-December 2020;

  • Michael Hannon, interim president, March 2018-July 2019;

  • H. Fred Walker, president, July 2016-March 2018;

  • David Werner, interim president, January-July 2016;

  • Julie Wollman, president, June 2012-January 2016;

  • James Moran, interim president, May 2011-June 2012; and

  • Jeremy Brown, president, July 2007-May 2011.

Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: PennWest president will step down, search for successor to begin