Laurie Bernotsky

Laurie Bernotsky
16th President of West Chester University
Assumed office
July 1, 2024
Preceded byChristopher Florentino
Interim President of Pennsylvania Western University
In office
July 1, 2023 – June 2024
Preceded byDale-Elizabeth Pehrsson
Personal details
Born1966/1967 (age 56–57)
EducationTemple University
University of Oxford

R. Lorraine Bernotsky (born 1966/1967) is an American academic administrator serving as the interim president of Pennsylvania Western University since 2023. She is the incoming 16th president of West Chester University.

Early life and education[edit]

Bernotsky was born in 1966 or 1967 and raised in rural Eastern Pennsylvania.[1] She was a first-generation college student.[1] She earned a master's degree in sociology from Temple University.[2][3] She completed a master's degree and a DPhil in politics at the University of Oxford.[2][3]

Career[edit]

Berntosky joined West Chester University in 1996 as a member of the political science faculty.[4] She taught undergraduate and graduate courses on politics, research methods, and public administration.[3] She was an associate provost and dean of the graduate school.[1] During her tenure, the university added four doctoral programs and founded the center for social and economic policy research.[1] Bernotsky became the provost in 2015 and executive vice president in 2017.[4] On July 1, 2023, she succeeded Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson as the interim president of Pennsylvania Western University.[4] In December 2023, Bernotsky was named as the 16th president of West Chester University.[1] She is set to succeed Christopher Florentino on July 1, 2024.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Murphy, Jan (2023-12-20). "West Chester University's former provost named its next president". Penn Live. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  2. ^ a b Aiken, Maddie (December 20, 2023). "PennWest is searching for third leader in two years after interim president leaves for West Chester". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  3. ^ a b c "Dr. Laurie Bernotsky Named 16th President of West Chester University". www.wcupa.edu. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
  4. ^ a b c "West Chester University's 16th president is a first-generation college graduate". Daily Local. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2023-12-21.