DUBOIS, Pa. — Penn State DuBois Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Melanie Hatch has announced that she has accepted the position of provost and vice president for academic affairs at Middle Georgia State University in Macon, Georgia. She will depart Penn State DuBois on July 8, beginning her new role in August.
As provost at Middle Georgia State, Hatch will oversee the development and implementation of new academic programs, sustain and grow existing programs, and provide leadership for faculty.
Hatch has been with Penn State DuBois since January 2013. Her responsibilities have included operational management of the campus and strategic planning, as well as administration and development of academic programs. She also focused strongly on industry partnerships, bringing together area businesses with talented and educated campus interns and graduates to help fulfill the needs of the regional workforce.
“Over these last several years, the campus has advanced its academic portfolio and its athletics and student engagement programming,” said Madlyn Hanes, Penn State vice president for Commonwealth Campuses. “The campus has also distinguished itself in fundraising and volunteer service. We are grateful to Melanie for her contributions.”
“This was a very difficult decision for me because I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all of you,” Hatch told the faculty and staff of Penn State DuBois upon announcing her departure. “This move means a great deal to me personally, as it will allow me to be much closer to my family. I have learned a great deal during my time at Penn State DuBois. The breadth of opportunities that I have experienced here is phenomenal.”
Before coming to Penn State DuBois, Hatch was the founding dean of the College of Engineering and Business at Gannon University in Erie, where she oversaw the college’s six academic departments and a small-business development center. She led strategic planning and positioning initiatives for the college, and focused on building partnerships with local leaders in business and industry. She also led efforts to help the university more effectively recruit, retain and advance women faculty in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines.
Hatch earned a doctoral degree in management science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1994. She also earned a master’s degree in management science with a focus on operations research from the University of Dayton in 1989, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a focus on computer science from Indiana University in 1983.
Ping Werner, professor of engineering, will serve as interim chancellor and chief academic officer while a search for Hatch's successor is conducted.