On Friday, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced his appointments to the new State Board of Higher Education – a crucial component of the higher education reforms the Governor signed into law as part of the 2024-25 budget.

According to a press release, the new State Board of Higher Education brings together leaders from higher education, the business community, labor, students, legislators, and members of the Shapiro Administration to craft a strategic plan for higher education, coordinate between higher education institutions and sectors, make higher education more accessible and affordable for students, and ensure our Commonwealth’s higher education institutions are training students with the skills and credentials needed to fill critical workforce shortages and power our economy for generations to come.

Additionally, the Board will create a new Outcomes-Based Funding Council that will deliver recommendations for how best to fund state-related universities and provide a range of supports to institutions experiencing fiscal instability.

“Every Pennsylvanian deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed — and that’s exactly what the new State Board of Higher Education will help deliver,” said Shapiro.

“The new Board builds on my blueprint for higher education and brings together a diverse set of leaders and stakeholders to develop statewide and regional solutions to the challenges we face – tackling workforce shortages head on and improving access and affordability for students. I know this group of leaders has the skills, commitment, and experience necessary to help build a higher education system that will serve our Commonwealth well for generations to come.”

The appointees to the State Board of Higher Education include:

• Cynthia Shapira (Chair) serves as chairwoman of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors.
• Dr. Brenda Allen (Vice Chair) serves as the President of Lincoln University.
• Dr. Ann Bieber serves as the President of Lehigh Carbon Community College.
• Sean Eden is a student at Pennsylvania State University.
• Richard Englert serves as the Interim President of Temple University.
• Kara Laskowski serves as a professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Shippensburg University and a member of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF).
• Kenneth Long serves as the President of East Stroudsburg University.
• Dr. Cheryl McConnell serves as the President of Saint Joseph’s University.
• Pedro Rivera serves as the President of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
• Andrea Shirk serves as the President and CEO of Rock Lititz.
• Michael Wade Smith serves as Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff of Penn State University.
• Michael Warfel serves as the Vice President of Governmental Affairs at Highmark, Inc.
• Kevin Washo serves as Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Bobbie Jo Zapor serves as a Library Assistant at Indiana University and as President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 763.

The General Assembly has also made 4 appointments to the State Board of Higher Education:

• Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny)
• Sen. Wayne Langerholc (R-Cambria/Clearfield/Centre)
• Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh)
• Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton)