Board Of Trustees Approves Triponey As
Vice President For Student Affairs At Penn State

March 21, 2003
Hershey, Pa. – Penn State's Board of Trustees today (March 21) approved the appointment of Vicky L. Triponey as vice president for student affairs at Penn State, effective July 1. Triponey is currently vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of Connecticut.

"Vicky Triponey is one of the leading student affairs officers in the country," said Spanier. "She is known nationally for her visionary leadership and her very strong commitment to student development. We were delighted to be able to attract her to Penn State. She will be a tremendous addition to the University."

Triponey replaces Bill Asbury, who is retiring on June 30 after 27 years at Penn State.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to return to central Pennsylvania to join the exceptional leadership team at Penn State," said Triponey. "It was clear during the interview process that faculty, staff and students throughout the Penn State community share a passion and commitment to achieve President Spanier's goal of becoming a more student-centered University. I am confident that together we will build upon a tradition of excellence by enhancing the student experience, building a more cohesive campus community and, in the process, provide a model for all of higher education."

Triponey has served as vice chancellor at the University of Connecticut since April of 1998. At Connecticut she oversees campus activities, career services, counseling services, dining services, residential life, student health services, the office of the dean of students and the center for students with disabilities.

From 1989 to 1998, Triponey was at Wichita State University, where she moved from associate dean of student life and Services to associate vice president for campus life to interim vice president for student affairs. Her career has also included experience at: The University of Virginia, where she served as an administrative intern for the vice president for Student Affairs; the University of Georgia, where she was coordinator of student organizations and media; and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, where she was assistant to the dean of student life/director of orientation.

Triponey, a native of Curwensville, Pa., earned a B.S. from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, a M.A. in student personnel services at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration at the University of Virginia.

Triponey has won numerous awards during her career in student affairs, and has been involved at the national level in a number of higher education organizations. She is currently the chair of the council of students affairs for the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), and recently served on the board of directors of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).

Triponey's appointment is subject to confirmation by the Penn State Board of Trustees, who meet on Friday, March 21 in Hershey, Pa.

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Contacts:
Tysen Kendig, (814) 865-7517; tysen@psu.edu
Bill Mahon (814) 863-1028; bmahon@psu.edu