The Pennsylvania Board of Governors (BoG) has finalized the criteria that will be used to choose the next chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

In a document outlining the criteria, the BoG calls for a chancellor who will provide strong leadership in order to lead PASSHE through the next steps of the strategic review that began last year, according to a PASSHE press release.

“We are excited about our momentum of change, which started last year with our comprehensive system review,” BoG Chairwoman Cynthia Shapira said. “We are now undertaking a System redesign, and our next chancellor will play a vital role in continuing that process — shaping, guiding and advancing that effort well into the future.”

The review, which was spearheaded by former PASSHE Chancellor Frank Brogan, began as PASSHE faced falling student enrollment rates at nearly all of the 14 state universities since 2010. 

Last year, letters of retrenchment were issued to five universities that made serious budget cuts and faculty layoffs a strong possibility.

With the exception of Cheyney University, all of the letters have since been retracted.

PASSHE’s Jan. 17 announcement follows Brogan’s retirement in September and the appointment of Interim Chancellor Karen Whitney in the same month.

The BoG generated the search criteria after seeking input from students, faculty, staff, alumni and other stakeholders who participated in PASSHE-sponsored meetings and conferences, according to the press release.

Shapira is leading the search committee alongside Vice Chair Harold Shields. Wheless Partners, a national search consultant and human capital adviser firm, is assisting in finding the next individual who will lead PASSHE.

To follow the process of the search, visit www.passhe.edu/chancellorsearch or follow The Slate on social media for updates.

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