Welcome, everyone, to our August Town Hall Meeting! We welcome all attending today in person, and all joining us through Teams. If you’re participating virtually, we’d appreciate your turning cameras on if possible.
I am very much enjoying my university- and community-wide listening tour with small groups of students, faculty, staff, trustees, and community members. I thank all of you who have met with me and shared your perspectives. If we haven’t met yet, I look forward to doing so soon. Please do not feel a need to prepare for these meetings. They are informal: an opportunity to become acquainted, share our perspectives, values, goals, and dreams for the University.
I am rapidly gaining insight into shared values and priorities across our HU family that will help me be an effective servant-leader president and inform our strategic planning process. Thanks to dedicated efforts across the University, we are experiencing a strong beginning to the 2026–27 academic and fiscal year.
Our July revenue and expenditures significantly outperformed our Board-approved budget. Tuition and fee revenue exceeded budget by approximately $433,000, while continued expense discipline across the University contributed to operating expenses finishing approximately $759,000 below budget. HU generated a positive change in net assets of approximately $418,000 for the month, nearly $941,000 ahead of budget.
While it is still very early in the fiscal year, these outcomes are encouraging and reinforce the importance of continued enrollment momentum, disciplined spending, and careful financial stewardship throughout the coming year. We must continue to emphasize financial discipline — and focus on stabilizing the University’s financial challenges — so we can eventually invest in areas of priority as we achieve sustained enrollment growth.
We thank our trustees, Chief Financial and Operating Officer Duane Maun, and faculty and staff across the University for helping achieve these promising early FY 2027 outcomes. These positive financials have everything to do with an upward trend in our enrollment, and I’ve asked Vice President John Champoli to share a very positive enrollment update with you.
Vice President for Enrollment Management John Champoli Offered an Enrollment Update
John and colleagues, Admissions and Marketing teams, and everyone in the HU family, thanks for your leadership and support that are leading us in this positive direction. We offer special thanks to Provost Kevin Purcell, staff in the Office of Records and Registration, International Students Office, program faculty, deans, department chairs, and others for their heroic initiatives to implement the transition to 7-week terms, our new open-door policy for Ph.D. admissions, refinements to existing programs and development of new programs, and other exemplary and collaborative initiatives to serve more students while navigating external challenges such as the recent change to the Duration of Status rule, which affects our international students.
Enrollment success is owned by everyone in the University, as we all play a role in this central area of priority in service of our University’s mission. I’ve asked Kevin to offer an update on academic issues and initiatives.
Provost Kevin Purcell Offered an Academic Affairs Update
Thanks so much, Kevin and faculty! As I mentioned earlier, our ability to further stabilize our current financial challenges and position the University for growth, continuous improvement, and future investments in areas of priority all depend on our ability to achieve and sustain a long-term trend of enrollment growth. We are on a positive trajectory. Let’s all work together to continue the momentum.
I’d like to recognize several colleagues and students for recent activities and successes, and I will recognize more folks at Town Halls and in other venues consistently going forward.
First, we recognize Associate Professor of Game Studies and Design Dr. Kelly Boudreau, who was recently named a 2026 Fellow of the Higher Education Video Game Alliance. This distinction recognizes senior scholars in the games domain who have made significant contributions to the field in design, theory, or research. Congratulations, Kelly! You make us all proud!
We recognize student Mel Izakovic. Mel is heading to Iowa this fall semester for an internship with Grand View University Esports, which won the National Esports Collegiate Conference championships this past year. This is the esports version of securing an internship with a major Division I sports team.
And students Cooper Cleveland, Josiah Kannel, Todd Sanders, Jordan Willey, and Damaine Wilson participated recently in a major “Super Smash Bros.” tournament called Supernova, which is a high-impact experiential learning opportunity for students.
We all celebrate Harrisburg University’s naming to the inaugural 2026 Student Voice Score Honors List, a national recognition from higher education technology company EdSights that identifies the top 20% of participating colleges and universities in each sector for student satisfaction. HU joins Moravian University as one of only two Pennsylvania institutions recognized on the list, which is built entirely from direct student feedback.
On July 23, Harrisburg University hosted the 2026 Project Management Innovation Conference, or PMIC. A collaboration between our Project Management Department and Office of Professional Development, the conference welcomed more than 200 participants, including project management professionals, industry leaders, government professionals, faculty, and students. PMIC is a compelling example of Harrisburg University connecting academics with industry. Students participated alongside working professionals and employers, giving them direct exposure to the people, trends, and challenges shaping their field.
Centered on the theme “Projecting the Future: From Accidental to Intentional Project Leadership,” the conference explored strategic leadership, organizational transformation, stakeholder management, resilience, emerging technology, and the growing role of artificial intelligence. In a uniquely Harrisburg University moment, participants had the opportunity to watch an HU robot make pancakes — a memorable demonstration of innovation in action.
Last week, Harrisburg University hosted the inaugural IT Day in PA, an event created specifically for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania IT employees. This expo-like experience gave agency IT professionals and technology leaders an opportunity to showcase work happening across state government, learn from colleagues, and share ideas and solutions that could be applied across agencies. It also highlighted the significant technology expertise already within the Commonwealth, and the important role technology plays in better serving Pennsylvanians. They even 3D printed a people’s choice award trophy for the project receiving the most votes at the end of the expo.
And on the following day, last Thursday, PA TechCon 2026 expanded the conversation by bringing Commonwealth employees together with industry, higher education, and the broader technology community. A long-standing partnership between Harrisburg University and the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Commonwealth, PA TechCon is the state’s largest governmental technology conference and provides an opportunity for technology professionals to learn, connect, and share ideas. Registration this year set an all-time record with more than 800 participants attending in person and virtually.
Taken together, PMIC, IT Day in PA, PA TechCon, and our other professional conferences throughout the year demonstrate the broader role Harrisburg University plays as a regional and statewide convener. We are a place where academic expertise, professional education, employers, government, students, and practitioners come together to learn from one another, share ideas, and address the changing needs of the workforce. We thank and congratulate Vice President Lorelee Isbell, her team, and colleagues across the University for bringing these consequential events to fruition in support of our University mission.
We are looking forward to another inspirational and high-profile event next week, led and supported by STORMWERX Executive Director LJ Holmes. LJ, please tell us about J-DAMMIT!
LJ Holmes Discussed J-DAMMIT
LJ, thanks so much for your strong leadership of this exemplary annual event that brings distinction to Harrisburg University and our inspirational mission!
In recognition of National Intern Day, the Career Services and Experiential Learning team recently celebrated the impact of internships and the important role they play in preparing students for career success. As we all are aware, internships allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, strengthen technical and professional competencies, expand their networks, and gain the experience employers value. This summer, more than 35 students representing programs across the University are completing internships with organizations throughout the nation. They are contributing to meaningful projects while developing the skills, experience, and confidence needed to thrive in today’s workforce. We congratulate all of our student interns, whose engagement is a significant point of pride for our HU family!
I also want to recognize a somewhat “Silent Hero,” someone who touches nearly every person who walks through our doors here at HU. Over the past year, we hired 132 employees, including 60 students. We have been able to fill and backfill some strategic positions, which is also a sign of real momentum for this University.
As soon as someone accepts an offer, HR Manager Jen Fleig takes it from there — for every single new employee. Jen builds out first-day itineraries for each new hire’s team, coordinates office space and parking, and meets nearly every new employee in person on day one. And Jen is the person who resolves benefits issues quickly when they come up, to which I can personally attest. She’s constantly suggesting ways to make the employee experience better. Jen, thank you for everything you do to make HU feel like a place people want to work!
Speaking of silent heroes, I’d also like to recognize and thank Director of Financial Aid Services Chris Mowl, and Bursar and Payroll Manager Jeremy Walmer. Chris and Jeremy are working hard to detect fraudulent applications for enrollment and student loans, a significant and growing challenge across all of American higher education. It’s hard and exceedingly important work, almost entirely done behind the scenes by Chris, Jeremy, and their colleagues. Chris and Jeremy, thank you for your dedicated leadership and support!
We look forward to welcoming all of our new and returning students beginning with New Student Orientation next week. Faculty and staff colleagues, I hope you will attend some of our activities for new students to help welcome them into our HU family. Please help students move into their apartments, attend HU Convocation on Sunday, August 30, serve as a School Host, or engage with and welcome our students in other meaningful ways.
I enjoyed speaking with incoming students twice last month. I always share with new students that we all particularly enjoy two times each year in the life of our University. The first is now — when we welcome new students into our community. I share with our new students that they are the reason all of us on the faculty and staff are involved in University life. Our students’ success is the University’s success, and we are partners with them on their educational journeys.
What do you think I share as our second favorite day in the life of our University? It is of course Commencement, when we celebrate the achievements of our students on their transformational career and life journeys!
On a bittersweet note, today we recognize Dean of Student Retention and Academic Success Dr. Lauren Edgell, whose last day at HU is Friday. As most of you are aware, Lauren has accepted a new professional opportunity in stronger alignment with her interests going forward. Lauren has served Harrisburg University exceptionally well in various capacities over the past 10 years. We will miss her, but we are very happy for her as she begins the next chapter of her career.
Lauren joins us virtually today. Lauren, would you like to say a few words?
Lauren Edgell Spoke and Thanked Members of the University Family
Lauren, thanks so much for all you have done that has made an indelible positive impact on the lives of so many, and best wishes in your new position. Please remember that you will always be a member of our HU family! Please stay in touch with all of us and remain involved in the life of this great University!
Recently, I brought Lauren and Chief Human Resources Officer Jen Millford onto the Cabinet to ensure that the welfare of our students and employees is front and center in all areas of our leadership, and we now find ourselves searching for a Vice President for Student Affairs to succeed Lauren and lead our exceptional Student Success team and our Student Retention Plan. Our new Vice President for Student Affairs will report to me and serve on our Cabinet. I have met with all members of the Student Success team and have pledged my full support of their work as we search for Lauren’s successor.
Student retention and student success are central to my presidential leadership priorities and to our shared values and goals. My conversations across the University confirm that this work is a shared value and priority throughout the HU family.
In the meantime, I thank Albert Sarvis for agreeing to provide interim leadership to the Student Retention Task Force members — and everyone with respect to continuous improvement in the areas of student retention, credential completion, and goal attainment. Thanks so much, Albert and colleagues!
Harrisburg University has taken an important step toward establishing its inaugural institutional endowment, a priority for building the University’s long-term financial strength and sustainability. Chief Philanthropy Officer Pam Lambert has developed a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking a financial institution or investment advisory firm to help establish and manage the University’s endowment.
The RFP seeks proposals for investment management, advisory services, administration, reporting, fiduciary services, and ongoing support for the University and its Board. It also asks firms to recommend an investment strategy and framework that will allow the endowment to grow responsibly over the long term.
Unlike annual fundraising, an endowment is designed to provide resources that can support the University in perpetuity. We are not simply creating an investment account; we are building a long-term financial resource that can help support our students, our academic mission, and the University’s future.
We have now moved from planning to action, and I’m excited about what establishing our inaugural endowment will mean for HU over the long term. Thanks for your leadership, Pam, thanks to our Trustee Philanthropy Committee, and all involved.
Using some salary savings through eliminated and vacant positions, I have created a new position of Chief Strategy Officer, and the incumbent will begin supporting the University’s growth and strategic planning when he arrives from the SUNY System on September 9. Dr. David Clickner’s unique perspectives and skill sets will help us move in increasingly positive directions, including new revenue generation, transforming ideas into action, strategic planning, accreditation, and progress in multiple other areas of priority.
Dr. Clickner will work closely with members of the President’s Executive Council and all of us throughout the University to lead the development of the University’s new Strategic Plan; support efforts throughout the University to move ideas into action with strong outcomes that include revenue generation and growth; work with Dr. Lauren Durkin, Provost Kevin Purcell, and all of us to support and help lead the University’s Middle States reaccreditation process, including planning, evidence collection, and campus-wide engagement to position HU for a successful review; strengthen institutional effectiveness by advancing assessment, performance measurement, and data-informed decision-making to support continuous improvement across the University; and other areas of University priority. We look forward to welcoming David to the HU family in just a few weeks.
It is now my pleasure to invite Vice President for External Affairs and Strategic Growth Lorelee Isbell — and our Marketing and Communications team — to discuss impressive work they are doing to bring visibility to our University’s excellence and strengthen our brand recognition. I have also asked Lorelee to share an update on the work of our Culture and Engagement Council.
Lorelee Isbell and Staff Offered MarComm Team Presentation, Followed by Lorelee’s Update on the Work of the Culture and Engagement Council
Thanks so much, dedicated and skilled colleagues! Your successful initiatives and ongoing support are instrumental to our progress and the upward trajectory of growth and excellence of this University.
Colleagues and students, I am honored to have the opportunity to work side by side with all of you, celebrate our successes and work through our challenges together, and be your tireless advocate, champion, and servant leader. I offer my heartfelt thanks for the honor of serving you! Happy New Academic Year!
We now open the meeting to questions, comments and suggestions, points of pride, and celebrations of HU family members.
Comments, Questions, Discussion
Thank you all! At next month’s Town Hall, Chief Human Resources Officer Jen Millford will discuss the results of our recent employee engagement survey. Have a great day!
