Welcome, everyone, to our November Town Hall Meeting! We welcome all attending today in person, and all joining us through Teams. If you are participating virtually, please turn on your cameras if possible.
Open Dialogue and Town Hall Participation
At our last Town Hall, we had lively conversation including a discussion about the recent visit to HU of House Speaker Mike Johnson and other elected officials to launch National Manufacturing Week. I was very pleased that several members of the HU family felt comfortable expressing deeply felt points of view – transparently and respectfully.
Establishing and maintaining trust that allows respectful and open dialogue is fundamental to our ability to work together around shared goals, priorities, and values. Transparency, trust, and the open and respectful sharing of diverse points of view are values and priorities of my servant leadership.
Going forward, I ask those attending the Town Halls virtually to raise their hands to speak rather than using the chat function. We want to hear and see everyone’s comments in real time, whether you are attending in the room or through Teams. This is why we ask you to turn on your cameras. The chat function will therefore not be enabled today or in future Town Hall Meetings.
Let me also share that the meetings are recorded and can later be viewed by everyone, including those not in attendance, through our website. We just experienced a highly significant national election, and we live in a time of division in our society.
HU Joins the Institute for Citizens and Scholars
Last Thursday and Friday, I was in Washington, DC, attending a convening of higher education and nonprofit leaders who are engaged in the inspirational work of the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, and College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, both housed at Princeton University. I am a member of the College Presidents for Civic Preparedness National Advisory Council.
The Institute promotes civil discourse and civic preparedness through campus-wide immersion projects and related on-campus activities for students across higher education, many of which are supported by grants from national foundations. I was honored to participate on a panel last week with three other college and university presidents to discuss how this student engagement work can support and involve nonprofit agencies through partnerships and collaboration. Joining me on the panel were Wellesley College President Dr. Paula Johnson, Towson University President Dr. Mark Ginsberg, and former American University President and Current America 250 Fellow Dr. Jonathan Alger.
I am pleased to share that Harrisburg University is joining the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, which will provide opportunities for HU student, faculty, and staff involvement in professional development and the promotion of civic engagement and civil discourse, both inside and outside of the classroom.
National Conversation on Free Speech and Academic Freedom
Related to this, I have been invited to participate on a panel at the annual conference of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, or AAC&U, which will be held in Seatle next January. I am a member president of the Alliance for Higher Education that promotes free speech in higher education, which is holding a gathering at the conference. In his invitation to participate, Alliance for Higher Education President Dr. Mike Gavin wrote this:
“Recognizing your commitment to protecting and advancing democratic institutions, norms, and values, the Alliance for Higher Education invites you to join a special meeting of college presidents representing a range of institution types to strategize on defending and elevating the higher education sector. We extend this invitation to you because of your distinguished leadership regarding higher education’s role in safeguarding democracy. Your expertise and perspective will make a vital contribution to what we hope will be a frank, generative, and consequential exchange. From this meeting, we aim to establish a diverse network of presidents to stand up for the values of democracy, academic freedom, and institutional autonomy.”
Going forward, I will share lessons learned and opportunities for Harrisburg University student, faculty, and staff engagement in this national work and conversation. If you are interested, I encourage you to visit the Alliance for Higher Education and AAC&U websites to learn more about their work.
Student Engagement and Retention
Earlier last week, I attended a two-day meeting at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Student Engagement National Advisory Board that brought together presidents and thought leaders to discuss research and best practices for engaging students in higher education and promoting student retention and credential completion. I met with legendary student retention author and researcher Dr. Vincent Tinto, who has agreed to present to us on his decades of scholarship in support of our HU 2026-30 Student Retention Plan that includes references to Dr. Tinto’s research.
Today, I have invited Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Emily Aubele, and Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Albert Sarvis, to discuss implementation of student retention initiatives related to the HU Student Retention Plan.
Emily Aubele and Albert Sarvis Discussed HU’s Student Retention Plan
Albert and Emily, thank you for your leadership and support of student success that is a central university-wide priority and shared value!
Enrollment Leadership Transition
As I wrote to our University community over the weekend, our valued colleague, John Champoli, has resigned from his position as Vice President for Enrollment Management effective December 31, 2026. We are exceedingly grateful for John’s leadership and dedication to helping students find their paths to Harrisburg University. John’s support of colleagues and initiatives across the University to promote student recruitment and enrollment have greatly benefitted our students, University, and the community we serve.
Effective January 1, 2027, Dr. David Clickner will assume the expanded role of Chief Enrollment and Chief Strategy Officer, taking responsibility for all aspects of enrollment management including College in the High School, Dual Enrollment, and the High School Academies. As our Chief Strategy Officer, David will continue to lead and support the University’s strategic planning process, Middle States accreditation initiatives, and oversight of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Bringing these responsibilities together will strengthen the connection between our enrollment efforts and the University’s long-term goals. Please join me in thanking John for his service, and congratulating David as he prepares to take on these expanded responsibilities.
John, would you like to say a few words?
John Champoli Shared Remarks
Thanks so much, John.
New Members Join the President’s Cabinet
Since I arrived at HU in late June, I have been seeking to broaden engagement in University-wide leadership in order to promote diversity of thought, multiple perspectives in our decision-making, and collaborative and inclusive approaches to continuous improvement. As you are aware, Chief Human Resources Officer Jen Millford, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Emily Aubele, and Chief Strategy Officer Dr. David Clickner have all joined the Cabinet since my arrival as your president.
Over the past several weeks, I have also invited Executive Director of Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives Luanne Hutchinson, Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness Albert Sarvis, and Center for Advanced Manufacturing Executive Director LJ Holmes to join our Cabinet team, and they have accepted. As our Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Albert is now reporting directly to me, continuing his strong working relationship with Academic Affairs colleagues while also supporting research, planning, and the sharing of meaningful data across administrative and support units. Thank you, and welcome to the Cabinet, Luanne, Albert, and LJ! You bring a wide and diverse range of skills, experience, and insight to our leadership team and we look forward to your contributions.
Folks, let’s also take stock of – and celebrate – the addition of three women to our leadership team! We are delighted that Jen, Emily, and Luanne join Chief Philanthropy Officer Pam Lambert and Vice President Lorelee Isbell on our expanded and more gender inclusive HU Cabinet!
HU Cabinet officers work as a team to promote our shared values and priorities. They collaborate with me to facilitate the full engagement of our University community in living and breathing our mission. Together, we are working to dismantle siloes and involve all members of the HU family in the achievement of mission-centric continuous improvement and transformative, student-centered outcomes. We must all own the work! It takes a village!
University Business Plan and First-Quarter Financial Results
Over the past several months, Harrisburg University has expanded the process of a comprehensive review of academic programs, enrollment strategies, and operational practices with a clear objective: positioning the University for incremental enrollment growth, long-term financial stability and growth, and continued academic excellence.
This effort has resulted in the development of the Presidential Work Plan that you all have received, and a four-year Business Plan that establishes a roadmap for strengthening enrollment, diversifying revenue, improving operational efficiencies, and ensuring our resources are aligned with our educational mission.
An important component of this strategy is the continued evolution of our academic delivery model. The transition to seven-week academic sessions, refinement of our Executive Weekend format, and the ongoing evaluation of academic programs and concentrations all offer greater flexibility for students while allowing HU to deploy its instructional and administrative resources more efficiently.
At the same time, we are pursuing opportunities to expand domestic graduate enrollment, strengthen undergraduate recruitment and retention, build upon our established early-college (high school) partnerships, and create additional pathways for students to continue their education at Harrisburg University. Equally important is our commitment to responsible financial stewardship.
Let me emphasize that sustainability is not achieved only by reducing expenses. As Chief Financial Officer Duane Maun recently observed, financial sustainability also requires thoughtful investments, identifying opportunities for growth, improving processes, and ensuring every dollar spent supports the University’s mission.
Our favorable first-quarter financial performance, which exceeded budgeted expectations by approximately $1.86 million, provides an encouraging indication that our collective efforts are making a difference. While much work remains, these results reinforce the importance of maintaining our focus and continuing to execute the initiatives outlined in our plans.
Ultimately, building a more sustainable Harrisburg University is a shared responsibility. The creativity, dedication, and willingness of our faculty and staff to embrace change continue to be instrumental to our success. By remaining focused on student outcomes, operational excellence, and responsible resource management, we are taking meaningful steps toward establishing a stronger and more resilient University for the students and communities we serve.
Thank you all – each and every one of you – for the role you play and contributions you make that are advancing our collective vision and shared values.
Robotics and Cybersecurity High School Academies
Two weeks ago, I invited colleagues across the University to meet and review the new HU High School Academy model, plan next steps and a timeline of activities between now and the fall 2027 launch of our first two academies – Robotics and Cybersecurity – and establish a steering committee and administrative leads and support persons for each component of the rollout.
I am already receiving very positive comments and interest from K-12 Superintendents and other community leaders. We thank Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Kevin Purcell for chairing the HU High School Academy Steering Committee that meets every other week.
Today, I have asked Kevin to discuss the work of the steering committee, and to also share an update on the Duration of Status Rule and the potential impact of last week’s elections and upcoming changes in Congressional leadership.
Kevin Purcell Shared Updates on the High School Academies and Duration of Status
Kevin, thank you for your enduring, strong, and dedicated leadership!
STORMWERX Receives Honeywell Aerospace Grant and Expands Research Partnerships
Last week, we learned that HU’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials, also known as STORMWERX, has been awarded a two-year, $502,000 industrial research grant from Honeywell Aerospace in addition to several other recent grants at HU. The project will use four or five collaborative robots to assemble an antenna system, characterize the antennas to meet radio frequency requirements, and 3D scan the assemblies to ensure they meet geometric tolerances. We thank and congratulate STORMWERX Executive Director LJ Holmes and his team for this impressive partnership and outcome!
LJ has also shared with me the research of ShapeMatrix, a STORMWERX partner and a major contributor to currently funded projects and future anticipated projects. ShapeMatrix has developed a technology called “Shapetags,” which are three-dimensional structures that store, track, and maintain manufacturing information using geometry. Shapetags can be attached to a product or incorporated within the product during the manufacturing process.
Our friend and partner, Jonathan Cramer, and his ShapeMatrix scientist colleagues and engineers have recently moved into HU facilities to work alongside STORMWERX research staff and build additional collaborative opportunities.
These are two examples of the phenomenal work LJ and his team are doing through partnerships, grants, and innovation that support HU’s mission and distinctive value proposition. I am now pleased to invite LJ and his colleague, Project Coordinator Emily Mallis, to offer an update of their work including plans for next year’s J-DAMMIT convening.
LJ Holmes and Emily Mallis Previewed the 2027 J-DAMMIT Convening
Thanks so much, LJ and Emily!
Expanded Campus Building Access Begins in January
During my listening tour, I have been hearing many people share their wish that our University facilities were more open to students, faculty, and staff at all hours of our University operations. We especially want students to enjoy and benefit from our exceptional spaces, including opportunities for study groups, practicing skills, or just having fun. I want to thank Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer Duane Maun, Security Manager Scott Morrison, and others for planning upcoming changes that will expand access by HU family members to the Health Sciences Tower, Market Street Tower, and Student Union.
Effective January 2027, building access to the Health Sciences Tower will be available to all students, faculty, and staff regardless of whether they are currently scheduled for classes in this building. Building hours will be expanded to 7:30 a.m. through 9:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to be consistent with the hours of operation of the Market Street Tower. During these hours, HU family members will have access to 222 Chestnut Street floors 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7.
Students, faculty, and staff will also have access to the Student Union from 7:30 a.m. until midnight, seven days a week, providing continued open, on-campus space for students after the towers close each evening and on weekends. As we approach the January 2027 schedule changes, the Security staff will coordinate building access hours with academic operations to ensure a smooth transition while maintaining and expanding security practices including checking identification of all who enter our buildings.
Community Partnerships for Early College and Workforce Development
Recently, I enjoyed and benefitted from several productive meetings with community leaders who are interested in supporting and promoting Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. In each meeting, we discussed our vision and goals outlined in the Presidential Work Plan (PWP) and we identified future opportunities for collaboration and funding.
HU Trustee Patricia Higgins introduced me to Capital Blue Cross President and CEO Todd Shamash and Senior Vice President David Skerpon. We met at their Harrisburg office. Our longstanding Capital Blue Cross partners were very interested in our planning and pleased to learn about our enhanced engagement with high school students, including the upcoming HU Robotics and Cybersecurity High School Academies. They expressed interest in contributing EITC funding for the academies and additional support for our strategic planning initiatives.
Also last week, Chief Strategy Officer Dr. David Clickner joined me in wide-ranging on-campus conversations with South Central PA Works Chief Executive Officer Jesse McCree, and in a second meeting with GDC IT Director of Education Innovation and Solutions Dr. Shane Hotchkiss, and Senior Solutions Director CJ Kozarski. Mr. McCree leads an eight-county workforce development board whose funding priorities are wonderfully aligned with our high school engagement and workforce development initiatives. Vice President Lorelee Isbell serves on the SCPa Works board.
Dr. Hotchkiss served for many years as superintendent of Bermudian Springs School District in Adams County and offered to promote our high school academies in addition to potential support through GDC IT Solutions for work we are doing to establish better frameworks and dashboards for enrollment and financial operations.
I also had a substantive meeting and conversation with Susquehanna Township School District Superintendent Dr. Tamara Willis, who is enthusiastic about promoting our September 2027 Robotics and Cybersecurity High School Academies to 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-grade students in her district. Many more meetings with K-12 superintendents are scheduled in the coming weeks.
We now open the meeting to questions, comments and suggestions, points of pride, and celebrations of HU family members.
Questions, Comments, Discussion
Thank you all and enjoy the rest of your day!
