Former West Chester University president named PASSHE Chancellor

(WHTM) – Former West Chester University President and current interim chancellor Dr. Christopher Fiorentino has been selected as the System Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Dr. Fiorentino will succeed Dr. Daniel Greenstein, who stepped down in October 2024.

Dr. Fiorentino’s career began as an assistant professor of economics at West Chester University in 1983 and he has held multiple positions, including dean, vice president, and president of the university.

He retired in June and returned as interim chancellor in October.

“I am honored and excited to serve the tremendous students, faculty, staff and university leaders across our PASSHE universities,” said Fiorentino. “For generations, these public universities have provided the education and critical thinking skills that open doors of opportunity and change lives. We remain as committed as ever to our mission of providing a high-quality, high-value education.
 
“Thank you to the Board of Governors for this incredible opportunity to serve our dynamic universities as we build toward an exciting future.”

The hiring comes after a “comprehensive national search” and included input from staff, students, faculty, and other stakeholders.

 “Dr. Fiorentino is the right person at the right time to lead PASSHE into the future, ensuring our forward momentum and upward trajectory,” said Dr. Cynthia Shapira, Board Chair. “His passion for our students and PASSHE’s mission is palpable. He understands PASSHE’s critical role in the commonwealth’s economic and workforce strategic plan. He is a proven leader who can execute our strategies for excellent student outcomes and the success of our universities. We look forward to his expertise and thoughtfulness as he leads our system.

PASSHE schools are made up of 15 campuses with over 80,000 students, 90% of whom are from Pennsylvania.