Latest news with #CommonwealthUniversity
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Commonwealth University president to step down, take new role in PASSHE
Pa. (WETM) – Commonwealth University President Dr. Bashar W. Hanna has announced that he will be stepping down from his position at the university at the end of July and assuming a new position with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). On Tuesday, April 29, the university released a statement disclosing that Hanna will step down from his position as president of the university on July 31, 2025, to take on a new role as vice chancellor for strategic initiatives for PASSHE. No confidence shown from faculty, coaches toward Commonwealth University president after vote In his announcement, Hanna highlighted his time serving as the first president of Commonwealth University, which was established in 2022 following the integration of Bloomsburg, Mansfield and Lock Haven universities. 'Serving as your president has been the greatest honor of my professional life,' Hanna said. 'Together, we have laid a strong foundation for Commonwealth University's future, and I look forward to seeing CU continue to thrive.' Commonwealth University faculty, coaches, to take no-confidence vote on university president Additionally, Hanna expressed gratitude and excitement to continue supporting public higher education across Pennsylvania in his new role with PASSHE. 'This new opportunity is both humbling and exciting-a chance to bring the lessons we've learned together at Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield to a broader stage,' Hanna said. 'It's an opportunity to help shape the future of higher education across the Commonwealth, advancing innovation, sustainability, and above all, student success.' In the release from the university, it was noted that Hanna led the integration of the three universities into Commonwealth University, making it the most affordable State System institution, improving graduation rates, narrowing equity gaps and securing record-breaking philanthropic support. CU-Mansfield online fundraiser raises over $80K to support students During his time as president, funding for the Bloomsburg University Foundation nearly doubled to $90 million and the Mansfield University Mountaineer Foundation was launched. In addition, the university as a whole hit a major milestone by raising $88 million toward its ongoing multi-year $100 million comprehensive campaign goal. Hanna is set to begin his new role with PASSHE on Aug. 1, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Commonwealth University faculty, coaches, to take no-confidence vote on university president
MANSFIELD, Pa. (WETM) — Faculty and coaches from three campuses of Commonwealth University will vote anonymously in February to give their voice in suggesting if the current president step down or stay, according to information from the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties. The no-confidence vote on Commonwealth University President Bashar Hanna will be done on Feb. 11 and 12 electronically and anonymously, the APSCUF said. The vote is months of APSCUF efforts to convince authorities to do what is in the best interest of the university and its students, with all three campuses announcing plans in December to hold the vote. Community Climbing Day to be held at CU-Mansfield The results of the vote will be announced later that week. If passed, the vote could lead to the termination of Hanna's presidency at the university. Hanna has been under scrutiny for months about his leadership of the university with APSCUF President, Kenneth M. Mash stating in a November release the university saw drops in enrollment, hiring issues, major technical issues, and much more. Hanna has been found liable for the wrongful termination of a dean who was a mandated reporter and remained in power as the final say in sexual harassment cases and other disciplinary cases, according to Mash. The case stems from when Hanna fired the dean after they reported Hanna for suspected harassment against a university employee, Mash said in a statement. Hanna was President of Bloomsburg University from 2017 until 2021 when he became interim President of Mansfield University until the merger of Mansfield, Bloomsburg, and Lock Haven universities became Commonwealth University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
