Charles Patterson officially the 18th President of Shippensburg University

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors (PASSHE) named Charles Patterson as the 18th president of Shippensburg University. The unanimous vote is effective immediately.

“I am honored to be selected to serve Shippensburg University as its 18th president. I continue to be inspired by the important scholarly work of our Ship students and faculty. I look forward to working collaboratively with our many stakeholders, partners and friends of the university to ensure Ship is recognized as the flagship institution it deserves to be,” Patterson said in a Ship Now press release.

Before the vote, Jamie Martin, the president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF), spoke about the presidential search process.

Martin said that over the past few years, eight university presidents have retired, resigned or were reassigned, and three of these were female presidents. This includes SU’s 17th president, Laurie Carter, who departed the university last summer. Currently, only one female president remains among the nine PASSHE universities, with only two are from historically marginalized groups and only two are from ethnically diverse backgrounds, Martin said.

Martin pointed out that the presidential search procedure varied from the Board of Governors rules, citing that a national search was never posted. Cynthia Shapira, Board of Governors president, explained that the residential search began with a diverse search committee at SU made up of students, faculty, staff, alumni and others. In addition, several open forums were held to hear input from the campus community members about the potential appointment of Patterson, she said.

After this discussion, the search committee developed a leadership profile document and other paperwork to help guide them in their final decision, Jamie said. A national search, which requires time and expense, was not posted as the search committee decided fully exploring Patterson’s background would best serve the community, she said.