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President Search

Commonwealth University is launching the search for its next President, an inspiring and collaborative leader who will champion our mission and guide the university into its next chapter. This webpage will provide updates, key information, and opportunities for our community to engage in the process. We look forward to identifying a leader who will advance our commitment to academic excellence, student success, and service.

Illustration of Mountain
Illustration of Mountain

To the Commonwealth University Community

The Council of Trustees  convened on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 to initiate a presidential search process for Commonwealth University. This action aligns with procedures used recently by other PASSHE institutions to evaluate and advance qualified internal candidates for presidency to the Board of Governors.

Following authorization from the State System, the Trustees established a search committee charge focused on assessing the candidacy of Dr. Jeffery L. Osgood Jr, for recommendation to the Board of Governors, which will make a final decision. If the internal candidate does not apply or is not recommended, the search committee will proceed with national recruitment.

The Search Process Includes:

  1. Establishment of Search Committee - Committee formed and charged by Council of Trustees.
  2. Candidate Materials Review - Evaluation of candidate materials submitted by the internal candidate.
  3. Campus Engagement Interviews - Meetings with faculty, staff, students, and alumni across all three campuses. This framework collects feedback from multiple campus and community constituencies, including collective bargaining leadership.
  4. Trustee Deliberation/Recommendation - Trustees determine whether to recommend the internal candidate for appointment to the Board of Governors.
  5. Board of Governors Action or Search Firm Engaged for National Search -- Internal candidate recommended to PASSHE Board of Governors for appointment. If the internal candidate is not advanced, an external search firm will begin a national recruitment process.
Presidential Search Leadership Profile representing scenes of all three CU campuses

A Defining Leadership Opportunity

As the first presidential search since the creation of Commonwealth University, this moment offers a rare opportunity to lead a complex, mission-driven public institution. The Leadership Profile provides an overview of the university, its campuses and communities, and the qualities sought in CU's next president.

Access the full Presidential Search Leadership Profile

Supporting Information

  • December 2025 - Search committee formation and external firm engaged
  • January 2026 - Leadership profile developed
  • February 2026 - Leadership profile feedback and campus interviews
  • March 2026 - Trustee recommendation to Board of Governors
  • April - Onward - National recruitment (if needed)

If the Internal candidate is not advanced or appointed: 

  • National recruitment begins
  • Virtual first-round interviews
  • On-campus interviews
  • Trustees recommend two nominees
  • Finalist selection and Board of Governors approval

Trustees

  • Angela Smith (LH) – Search Committee Chair
  • Amy Brayford (B)
  • Susan Kefover (M)

Faculty

  • Selected by APSCUF
    • Jim Brown (B) – Professor, English
    • Ashley Lesniak (LH) – Associate Professor, Exercise Science / CU-IRB Chair
    • Maegan Borzok (M) – Associate Professor, Physical and Environmental Sciences
  • Selected by Faculty Election
    • John Hintz (B) – Professor, Geography
    • Matt Girton (LH) – Professor, Communication Studies, Media, and Journalism
    • Brad Lint (M) – Associate Professor, Languages, Literatures, and Writing

Staff

  • Selected by Non-Instructional Bargaining Units
  • University Executives selected by Council of Trustees
    • Tena Maurer (B) – Associate Vice President of Human Resoures
  • Non-Instructional selected by Council of Trustees

Students*

  • Selected by Student Government
    • Chaz Kaszuba (B) – Student Government President, Bloomsburg
    • Hunter Hartford (LH) – Student Government President, Lock Haven
    • Justin Knarr (M) – Student Government President, Mansfield

Alumni*

  • Selected by Alumni Associations
    • Hakeem Thomas (B)
    • George Way (LH)
    • Tim Rooney (M)

Board of Governors

  • Cindy Shapira – Chair, PASSHE Board of Governors

Non-Voting Members / Advisors

  • Daniel Wubah – President, Millersville University
  • Kenneth Hall (LH) – Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
  • Randy Goin – Deputy Chancellor, PASSHE

* Non-Trustee

You can direct any questions about the presidential search to PresidentialSearch@commonwealthu.edu.