November 13, 2017
Board of Governors names Aaron A. Walton president of Cheyney University
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
Harrisburg 鈥� The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania鈥檚 State System of Higher Education today
named Aaron A. Walton president of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania for a term beginning
immediately through June 30, 2021, to ensure stable leadership while the university
implements a multi-year financial plan.
Mr. Walton has served as the university鈥檚 interim president since May, shortly after
the Middle States Commission on Higher Education ordered Cheyney to 鈥渟how cause鈥� as
to why its accreditation should not be withdrawn. Since then, the university has made
significant strides, including submitting a detailed operating plan to Middle States
that explains, among other things, how it will balance its budget in the future while
meeting the educational needs of students.
The university鈥檚 Council of Trustees last week voted to ask the Board of Governors
for limited dispensation from its policy on presidential selection in order to expedite
the process and recommended Mr. Walton be named the university鈥檚 next president. In
accordance with state law, the Council conferred with students, faculty and alumni
prior to voting on the recommendation.
鈥淲hen we considered who would be best to ensure the university's future, it was clear
that Aaron Walton is that person,鈥� said Robert W. Bogle, chair of Cheyney University鈥檚
Council of Trustees. 鈥淚 applaud what he has accomplished in just six months, and I
can only imagine what he will do with more time.鈥�
The Board agreed to the Council鈥檚 request for limited dispensation from some of the
search requirements and to its recommendation that Mr. Walton be named president in
order to help address Middle States鈥� concerns and to help support the university鈥檚
efforts to secure its continuing accreditation.
鈥淪ince the day he arrived on campus, Aaron has demonstrated his commitment to securing Cheyney鈥檚 continuing accreditation and鈥攋ust as important鈥攖o ensuring the university鈥檚 long-term future so it can continue to serve students,鈥� said Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia D. Shapira. 鈥淭here is no stronger advocate for Cheyney University, and no one better able to lead the effort to shape the future of this historic institution and ensure it is on the road to success.鈥�
鈥淪ince the day he arrived on campus, Aaron has demonstrated his commitment to securing Cheyney鈥檚 continuing accreditation and鈥攋ust as important鈥攖o ensuring the university鈥檚 long-term future so it can continue to serve students,鈥� said Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia D. Shapira. 鈥淭here is no stronger advocate for Cheyney University, and no one better able to lead the effort to shape the future of this historic institution and ensure it is on the road to success.鈥�
鈥淲e are confident that the strides the university already has taken under President
Walton鈥檚 leadership will demonstrate to Middle States that Cheyney has a bright future,鈥�
said State System Interim Chancellor Karen M. Whitney. 鈥淗e crafted an exceptional
multi-year recovery plan that was submitted to Middle States. There is no better person
to ensure the university鈥檚 success.鈥�
Among the issues cited by Middle States in its 鈥渟how cause鈥� order was the importance
of leadership. Mr. Walton is scheduled to appear before the commission Thursday, after
which
a decision regarding the university鈥檚 accreditation will be made.
a decision regarding the university鈥檚 accreditation will be made.
鈥淲hile I came here to help transform Cheyney University, I can tell you that Cheyney
University has changed my life. It beats in my heart. It courses through my veins,鈥�
Mr. Walton said. 鈥淭he students on this campus will forever be part of my family. These
remarkable young people deserve every opportunity to receive a high-quality education
here and to earn a degree that will help ensure their successful future, and I will
do everything within my power to make that happen.
鈥淚 welcome the opportunity that has been given to me today, and commit my all toward
working together with the Board, the Trustees, and the students, faculty, staff and
alumni to ensure there is a Cheyney today, and a Cheyney forever.鈥�
Mr. Walton previously was employed by Highmark Inc., where he was one of nine principle
officers responsible for providing overall management and direction of all of the
organization鈥檚 corporate activities. During his 40-year tenure with Highmark, he held
progressively higher key management roles in both corporate and subsidiary operations.
Additionally, he had oversight of the company鈥檚 community involvement, foundation
and strategic health initiatives and its joint venture affiliate activities, including
Gateway Health Plan.
He has served on more than 35 community boards, including the August Wilson Center,
The Pittsburgh Foundation and United Way of Allegheny County.
Mr. Walton holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in speech pathology and audiology from California
University of Pennsylvania and a master鈥檚 degree in public policy and management from
Carnegie Mellon University.
Pennsylvania鈥檚 State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher
education in the Commonwealth, enrolling more than 100,000 degree-seeking students
and thousands more in certificate and other career-development programs. Collectively,
the 14 universities that comprise the State System offer more than 2,300 degree and
certificate programs in more than 530 academic areas. Nearly 520,000 State System
university alumni live in Pennsylvania.
The State System universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg,
Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery
Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The universities also operate
branch campuses in Oil City (Clarion), Freeport and Punxsutawney (IUP), and Clearfield
(Lock Haven), and offer classes and programs at several regional centers, including
the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and in Center City in Philadelphia.