A message to the Mansfield University Community from Dr. Charles Patterson
Dear Mansfield University
Colleagues and Friends:
As you may be aware by now,
the State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors today selected me to
serve as the Interim President of Shippensburg University. Since integration
planning began last year, I have been quite open with the campus
community about university integrations and the intended reduction of senior
executive positions, including campus presidents, as part of the integration
model. I hope you will understand that my transition to Shippensburg is part of
that process.
I am very proud of everything
that our Mansfield University community has accomplished together in just two
short years. Broadly speaking, we ended a 9-year enrollment decline in 2019 and
have grown our undergraduate enrollment by almost 10 percent. Fall 2020
retention increased from 73 percent to 78.1 percent. We continue to diligently
address financial sustainability and changes in instruction and campus life
required by the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, we have established a stronger
culture of inclusivity in our communications and sharing of information that
has allowed us to honestly and openly address campus challenges and
opportunities. Underpinning these praiseworthy accomplishments are the many
individual efforts of our students, faculty, and staff, which foster a
supportive campus climate and the fulfilment of our institutional mission.
Colleen and I love Mansfield
University, and while it is an honor to be considered for the role of interim
president of Shippensburg University, our work at Mansfield must continue
uninterrupted. Sustainability is critically important to our university, our
communities, and most importantly our students. At last count, 151 individual
Mansfield students, faculty, staff, and trustees have been directly engaged in
the process of university integrations with Bloomsburg University and Lock
Haven University. Our campus community is leading the change that will expand
program breadth, maintain Mansfield’s essential residential character, and
achieve more together for the Northeastern region than any one institution
might accomplish on its own.
As I make this transition in
late June, I will still support Mansfield University by continuing to serve
within the State System, regardless of the outcomes of the integrations
process. Our fourteen State System universities and their administrations share
a common mission that extends beyond the campus footprint. Each university must
operate in a sustainable manner. This means I will continue being an
unapologetic advocate for the value that Mansfield University, Shippensburg
University, and all other public, State System institutions provide to students
in the Commonwealth and beyond.
Thank you for the opportunity
to serve alongside you and to continue our efforts to advance opportunities for
current and future generations of Mansfield University Mountaineers.
Sincerely,
Charles