UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — John Mauro, department head and professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State, has been named interim John Leone Dean in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, effective July 1.
Mauro succeeds Lee Kump, who is stepping down after nearly nine years as dean to resume his role as professor of geosciences.
“John exemplifies Penn State’s leadership in discovery with real-world impact,” said Fotis Sotiropoulos, executive vice president and provost. “His record of research excellence, innovation and service, along with his collaborative leadership style, make him exceptionally well-suited to guide the college during this transition.”
Mauro joined Penn State in 2017 and became head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in 2025. He also holds the Dorothy Pate Enright Professorship and served as chair of the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Materials Science and Engineering. As department head and graduate program leader, Mauro has focused on advancing interdisciplinary research and educational innovation while enabling faculty and student success.
Before coming to Penn State, Mauro spent 18 years at Corning Incorporated, where he held a series of leadership roles in glass research and product development. His work there included co-inventing multiple generations of Corning Gorilla Glass, now used in billions of electronic devices worldwide.
At Penn State, Mauro co-invented LionGlass, a novel family of glass compositions developed at the University that significantly reduces the carbon footprint of glass manufacturing while improving mechanical performance. LionGlass has drawn international attention and multiple industry partnerships as a sustainable alternative to standard glass.
“I am honored to serve the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences in this role,” Mauro said. “I am deeply grateful to Dean Lee Kump for his exceptional leadership over the past nine years and for the strong foundation he has built across our missions in research, education and outreach. EMS is a remarkable community, uniquely positioned to lead in addressing several of the most pressing challenges facing society. I look forward to working together with everyone in EMS to advance the college’s impact within the commonwealth and globally.”
As an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering, Mauro is an internationally recognized expert in glass science and materials engineering who has authored more than 430 peer-reviewed publications and holds 85 U.S. patents. He serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Ceramic Society and is a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. Mauro earned bachelor’s degrees in glass engineering science and computer science and a doctorate in glass science from Alfred University