Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Chancellor Dan Greenstein has announced his resignation, effective Oct. 11.
In a Tuesday letter to PASSHE students, faculty and staff, Greenstein, who has led the system since 2018, expressed his dedication to the role and noted his decision to step down due to a new national opportunity.
Greenstein did not specify his future plans but mentioned he would provide more details in September. He emphasized his desire to address challenges in U.S. higher education and his commitment to helping students.
"For six years, I have poured my heart and soul into our system, its people, mission, and places. My passion for our work, students, and cause is unwavering. A significant amount of good, critical, and undoubtedly hard work is yet to be done for our students, their communities, and Pennsylvania," he wrote. "At the same time, U.S. higher education is struggling - at any number of levels, in any number of ways. The risks are profound. The crises are real. And the students - the people - that I care about the most are in danger of being left further behind."
He said he plans to remain in Harrisburg.
During his tenure, Greenstein achieved several milestones, including freezing in-state tuition rates for seven years, consolidating 14 public universities into 10, and securing a record-high $620.8 million appropriation in the recent state budget. Under his leadership, PASSHE cut operating costs, increased transparency and expanded opportunities for community college transfers, according to PennLive.com.
"Since he arrived, Dan has been singularly focused on redesigning PASSHE and positioning it for the future," Cynthia Shapira, chair of the system's Board of Governors, told the outlet. "He is passionate about higher education, he is passionate about student success, and we are a better system today because of his leadership."
The board will begin a national search for a new chancellor and appoint an interim chancellor as Greenstein's service concludes.
"It is an honor and a privilege to serve you as chancellor. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity, the collegiality, the camaraderie, and the progress we have made," Greenstein said.
The PASSHE system includes Cheyney, East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester universities, in addition to the Commonwealth University campuses and PennWest campuses.
