SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Pennsylvania State University named Kelly M. Austin, vice president of finance and administration at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, as the new chancellor for its Schuylkill campus.
Austin will become the chancellor June 1, succeeding R. Keith Hillkirk, who moved to the role of chancellor at Penn State Berks in 2011.
Stephen Couch, director of academic affairs at Penn State Schuylkill, has served as interim chancellor in Hillkirk's place since July.
"It is an honor and a privilege to join the Penn State community, a nationally recognized institution of higher learning, as chancellor of the Schuylkill campus," Austin said in a prepared statement. "I look forward to working with the campus community to serve the evolving workforce and cultural, artistic and educational needs of the citizens of the region and beyond."
Austin earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Slippery Rock University. He holds a master of business administration degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and earned his doctorate in administrative and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh.
Serving as the chief business and administration officer of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown since 2008, his duties included the development and implementation of a strategic plan, collaboration with senior officers to ensure student retention and leading the development and implementation of the campus operating budget, capital budget and auxiliary budget.
Before working at Johnstown, Austin served in multiple roles, working directly with students at Embry-Riddle, including coordinator of first-generation student programs, education specialist and academic adviser for first-year programs and assistant director of student activities.
Austin has also been active in numerous community service organizations, including United Way, Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish, Habitat for Humanity and March of Dimes.
"Dr. Austin brings exceptional leadership experience to Penn State Schuylkill," said Madlyn Hanes, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses, also in a prepared statement. "His accomplished service in senior administrative roles, most notably in finance and business operations, academic and student support and community relations, speaks to his broad expertise."
Taking Couch's place in June, Austin may also eventually take over some of the recent actions that Couch put into place, such as the Campus/Community Climate Committee.
"He and I will have to discuss the future of that committee, as it will be up to him," Couch said.
The committee operates under the chancellor's office and the chairwoman is Pamela Black, interim director of academic affairs and associate professor of criminal justice at Penn State Schuylkill. Black is also a Schuylkill Haven borough resident.
The committee was formed in light of recent incidents in the borough involving Penn State Schuylkill students. Its aims are to try to fight crime and improve campus relations with the borough.
Couch said that he will be returning to his position as the director of academic affairs and thinks that his strengths in that area will complement Austin's, making a great team for the campus.
"I offer him my congratulations. He brings excellent experience in a number of areas to the job here," Couch said. "I look forward to meeting him and working with him to move Penn State Schuylkill forward."