March 23, 2018
Robert M. Pignatello named president of Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu
Harrisburg 鈥� The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania鈥檚 State System of Higher Education today unanimously selected Robert M. Pignatello, a senior vice president at Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY), to be the next president of Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, effective July 1. Mr. Pignatello will be presented to the university community鈥攊ncluding students, faculty, staff, alumni and others鈥攄uring a welcoming reception to be held at 10 a.m., April 11, at the University Commons Amphitheater.
Mr. Pignatello has more than 20 years experience as a college senior executive and
administrator. He has served as Hunter College鈥檚 senior vice president for finance
and administration and chief operating officer since February 2016.
鈥淢r. Pignatello is a seasoned leader with experiences from both inside and outside
of higher education,鈥� said Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia D. Shapira. 鈥淗is
tremendous list of accomplishments throughout his career speaks for itself. We are
confident he will provide Lock Haven University outstanding leadership as it continues
to advance its mission of serving students, the Lock Haven community and the Commonwealth.鈥�
Hunter College is a flagship university of the CUNY system, with 23,000 students and
an annual operating budget of $169 million. As senior vice president and COO, Mr.
Pignatello oversees the college鈥檚 financial planning and budget, business services,
human resources, technology services, facilities, public safety, space planning and
capital projects, performing arts facilities, continuing education and non-degree
enrollment.
鈥淟ock Haven is a special place that is on the right trajectory, and I鈥檓 confident
that Rob is uniquely equipped to take the university to the next level,鈥� said State
System Interim Chancellor Dr. Karen M. Whitney. 鈥淗e is joining the State System at
an exciting time as we focus on student success and ensure that we are best organized
to prepare students for the future. He will be a great addition to both Lock Haven
University and the State System.鈥�
Mr. Pignatello said he is honored to have been selected to serve as Lock Haven鈥檚 next
president and looks forward to assuming the role.
鈥淟ock Haven is a truly remarkable institution, and we have an exciting future before
us. Together, we will confront the challenges that lie ahead and convert them into
opportunities to even better serve our students and our region,鈥� said Mr. Pignatello.
鈥淚 greatly anticipate working closely with the council of trustees, students, faculty,
alumni, local leaders and System officials on fulfilling our vital mission. I am immensely
proud to be a Bald Eagle and to join the Lock Haven community.鈥�
The Board鈥檚 action today comes at the conclusion of a national search for a successor
to Dr. Michael Fiorentino, who will retire at the end of the month after serving as
Lock Haven鈥檚 president for nearly seven years. Dr. Donna Wilson, the university鈥檚
provost, will serve as interim president until Mr. Pignatello鈥檚 arrival on campus.
鈥淲e welcome Rob Pignatello to 鈥楾he Haven鈥� family,鈥� said Council of Trustees Chair
George Durrwachter. 鈥淗is unique approach to higher education issues showed a great
deal of depth and breadth to meet the needs of Lock Haven University. Mr. Pignatello鈥檚
experience and leadership skills will be invaluable as he transitions to the 15th
presidency. I look forward to working with him to continue to tell our story and unlock
the potential of our future.鈥�
Council member Guy Graham, who chaired the presidential search committee, said he
was impressed throughout the search process with the quality of candidates presented
by search consultant RPA, Inc., and the diligence of the committee.
鈥淲e were tasked, through the feedback of the campus community, to find a president
who could capably address enrollment and fiscal challenges, lead fundraising efforts
and work with our many, various constituent groups,鈥� Graham said. 鈥淢r. Pignatello
demonstrated to the campus that he understands the essential educational components
at Lock Haven University and that he will be student-centered.鈥�
Mr. Pignatello has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science and public administration
from Montclair State University (N.J.) and a Master of Public Administration from
Rutgers University. He expects to complete work this year on a Doctor of Education
degree in higher education leadership and management at Saint Peter鈥檚 University in
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
Prior to his arrival at Hunter College, Mr. Pignatello spent 18 years as vice president
and ultimately senior vice president and chief operating officer at John Jay College
of Criminal Justice, also part of the CUNY system. While there, he worked with faculty
leadership on a variety of task forces and committees to help transform John Jay to
a senior college focused on baccalaureate degrees, graduate studies, and research
while improving the overall student experience, engagement and outcomes.
Mr. Pignatello also helped to develop and successfully implement the college鈥檚 strategic
plan by aligning resources with objectives and creating strategies and accountability
for outcomes. His efforts also included improving academic and student services, expanding
shared governance and engagement, raising new revenues, fostering alliances with external
groups, and reducing the costs of textbooks through a virtual store that became a
system model. His tenure at John Jay began in 1994, as director of government, alumni
affairs, and communications, and senior adviser to the president. He also served as
an adjunct instructor in the public administration master鈥檚 program.
Previously, Mr. Pignatello was a council member, deputy mayor and mayor of the Township
of Verona (N.J.); an administrator in the Essex County Sheriff鈥檚 Department in Newark;
and a legislative assistant in the New Jersey State Senate.
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania has a current enrollment of about 3,900 students.
It offers 49 undergraduate majors and 47 minors, as well as graduate programs in actuarial
science, counseling, education, health science and sport studies. It was founded in
1870 as the Central State Normal School, with the mission of training teachers for
Central Pennsylvania. It became a university in 1983, upon the creation of the State
System.