Laurie Bernotsky

Laurie Bernotsky
16th President of West Chester University
Incumbent
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 57–58)
EducationTemple University
University of Oxford

R. Lorraine Bernotsky (born 1966/1967) is an American academic administrator serving as the 16th president of West Chester University since 2024. She was previously the interim president of Pennsylvania Western University.

Life

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]

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

  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.