Pennsylvania’s Board of Governors has appointed Barbara Lyman to serve as interim president of Shippensburg University, according to a news release issued yesterday by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
Lyman, SU’s executive vice president and provost, had previously been appointed acting president following the retirement of George “Jody” Harpster on Jan. 20. The selection was made following a consultation with State System chancellor Frank Brogan and SU Council of Trustees chair B. Michael Schaul.
Lyman will remain interim president for the duration of PASSHE’s search for a new, permanent president, according to the news release.
“Dr. Lyman has been an important member of Shippensburg’s administrative team for nearly a decade,” said Cynthia D. Shapira, Board of Governors chairwoman. “We are confident she will continue to provide strong leadership to the institution while we search for a new, permanent president for the university.”
Before arriving at SU in 2008, Lyman served as associate vice president for academic affairs at the University of West Florida, and served in various positions at universities in Texas, Michigan, Oklahoma and Delaware.
The search for SU’s next president comes in the aftermath of Harpster’s retirement due to “important family health matters” more than one year after his inauguration. The process to find his successor may take approximately six months, and will involve a series of interviews conducted by SU and PASSHE.
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