Harrisburg PA – The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education today selected Peter C. Fackler to serve as interim president of Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Fackler recently completed a nearly nine-month term as interim president at Clarion University. He replaces Mr. Scott Barton, who has accepted the position of Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance at Shippensburg University.
“Mr. Fackler provided outstanding leadership while serving as Clarion University’s interim president. We are indeed fortunate that he will be returning to the State System so soon to fill that same role at Mansfield University,” said Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia D. Shapira. “Strong, stable leadership is especially important to a university during a period of transition in order to keep the institution on track and moving forward.”
“Peter obviously has the leadership skills and experience necessary to fill the position of interim president,” said State System Interim Chancellor Karen M. Whitney. “He served both Clarion University and the State System well in his prior role, and I am confident he will do the same at Mansfield.”
Mr. Fackler, a native of Unionville in Chester County, holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. He also studied at both Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management and Columbia University’s Teachers College.
He has more than 30 years’ experience in higher education. After beginning his career as an accountant with Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers), he held posts at Alfred University, Bates College, West Chester University and the School of Visual Arts in New York. In addition to serving as Clarion’s interim president during most of the last academic year, he previously was the university’s interim vice president for administration and finance.
“I am looking forward to beginning the work at Mansfield, to working with a great group of committed faculty and staff there,” Mr. Fackler said. “Mansfield University has a proud and distinguished history of service to the northern tier of Pennsylvania, a history that we will work to extend and grow over time. In particular, we will commit to growing Mansfield’s student enrollment as we continue to focus the university’s efforts on assuring student success at all levels.”
Mr. Fackler will serve as interim president at Mansfield until the successful conclusion of a national search for a permanent president.
The Board of Governors is responsible for hiring university presidents within the State System. When the need for temporary leadership at a university occurs, the chancellor—in consultation with the chair of the Council of Trustees—makes a recommendation to the Board of Governors, which then meets to ratify the selection. An interim president serves as the university’s chief executive officer, with the same responsibilities and authority as a permanent president.
“Mr. Fackler’s background and experience are a great fit for Mansfield,” said Bobbi Kilmer, chair of the university’s Council of Trustees. “We are excited to have him on board and are confident he will keep our university moving forward.”