HARRISBURG, PA — Dr. Emily Aubele has joined Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) as vice president for student affairs, bringing to the University a career that spans student affairs leadership in higher education and statewide nonprofit service.
At HU, Aubele leads the Office of Student Retention and Academic Success and the University’s student retention initiatives, including the 2026-30 HU Student Retention Plan. She succeeds Dr. Lauren Edgell.
Aubele most recently served as vice president of United Way of Pennsylvania’s PA 211 service: the free, confidential helpline that connects Pennsylvanians with local health and human services. Before joining United Way, she was director of student affairs at Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s Venango Campus, where she developed a comprehensive student life program that included housing, food service, academic and social support programs, and a vibrant cultural arts program. Earlier in her career, she worked in residential life at the University of Pittsburgh and other institutions.
Her appointment reunites her with HU President Dr. Christopher M. Reber, a longtime colleague from their years together at Clarion.
“I worked directly with Emily for 10 years at Clarion, and I saw firsthand how she builds the kind of campus life where students feel supported and at home,” said Reber. “She also already knows HU. She is supporting the research of one of our doctoral students, she has worked with our faculty and staff over the years, and she will proudly tell you she is a Harrisburg University fan.”
“On my first day at HU, I said that happy universities are successful universities,” Reber added. “Emily has spent her career putting that idea into practice, and I am delighted that we are once again working together.”
Aubele earned a bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA; a master’s degree in cultural foundations of education from Kent State University in Kent, OH; and a Doctor of Education in administrative and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh.
When she isn’t at work, Aubele enjoys traveling with her nieces and nephews, trying to guess what her dogs are thinking, and curating her extensive collection of off-the-wall T-shirts.
About Harrisburg University
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, analytics, biotechnology, cybersecurity, nursing, and other STEM fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link research with practical application. Learn more at HarrisburgU.edu or stay in the know by following HU on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
Media Contact
Have questions about this story? Want to line up an interview? Contact Dan Wilhelm, director of communications, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu.
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