Dr. Pamela Gent Named Provost of Clarion University

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published December 14, 2018 8:46 pm
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CLARION, Pa. – Clarion University President Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson has named Dr. Pamela J. Gent as provost and academic vice president.

Dr. Gent will begin her tenure on December 17. She has served as interim provost since summer.

“I am so pleased that Dr. Gent accepted this position,” said President Dale-Elizabeth Perhsson.

“After a national search, Pam’s experience, commitment to Clarion University, strong reputation among our faculty, and dedication to student success placed her at the top of a strong pool of candidates.”

“Dr. Gent has the ability to find creative solutions to our current challenges and will pull people together to implement the best solution for our students and the university,” said Joseph Croskey, director of advising services and co-chair of the search committee.

“People on campus trust her and feel that she and President Pehrsson will work well together to lead the university. Under their leadership, the university is poised to grow and flourish.”

Gent, who came to Clarion in 1988 as an assistant professor in the department of special education and rehabilitation sciences, has served as interim provost since summer and had been associate provost and academic vice president since 2014, including one year as interim. As a faculty member, Gent was promoted to associate professor then full professor before her colleagues elected her department chair.

As interim provost, Gent revamped orientation for new faculty. She developed a faculty overload policy and organized “Chat ‘n Chew” sessions for department chairs and faculty. She has worked extensively with Middle States Commission on Higher Education to maintain university accreditation. As associate provost, Gent led approval of eight new degree programs and 43 new minors, concentrations and certificates. She was integral to the development of a student success coaching model and comprehensive plan for first-year students.

“I am passionate about Clarion University’s mission, public higher education, and our place in western Pennsylvania,” Gent said.

“I believe in us – all of our faculty and staff – and the work that we do every day to change students’ lives. I believe in lifelong learning and the transformative power of a college degree. I am excited by the opportunity to develop and provide learning opportunities of all kinds to the citizens of the commonwealth.”

Gent will continue to oversee $9.4 million in budgets; academic planning and curriculum development; and recruitment, hiring, and staffing. She leads the Deans’ Council, Provost Council, and Academic Council and is liaison with APSCUF and Faculty Senate and with Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education for Academic Affairs. She is the designated officer for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System for F and J visas.

Student success will remain Gent’s top priority.

“Some of our enrollment challenges can be mitigated by ensuring that the students we enroll in our campuses are successful, are retained, and persist to graduation,” she said.

“New program development also is important; we have to develop new programs with an eye to the future and with an emphasis on those soft skills that will ensure that our graduates will be engaged and productive citizens.”

“I am excited to partner with Pam as we continue to build our bright future,” Pehrsson said.

Gent holds a Ph.D. in Special Education with severe disabilities and a Master of Education in Special Education, both from Kent State. She earned her B.S.Ed. in Special Education from Youngstown State University.

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