California, Clarion, Edinboro, Global Online
Donna Oberlander, Council of Trustees; Neil Weaver, Council of Trustees; Milissa Bauer, trustee emeritus; JD Dunbar, Council of Trustees chair.
Pennsylvania Western University reported areas of enrollment growth and outlined new priorities for the year ahead during its Council of Trustees meeting on Sept. 25, 2025, at PennWest Clarion.
This fall, PennWest enrolled 10,548 students across its California, Clarion, Edinboro, and Global Online campuses. Growth in Global Online, dual enrollment, and transfer students contributed to the most stable enrollment the university has experienced in more than a decade.
“PennWest is building stability, strength, and momentum,” said President Jon Anderson. “These enrollment numbers reflect steady progress toward long-term growth, fueled by the quality of our programs and the commitment of our faculty and staff.”
Priorities for 2025-26
Looking ahead, Anderson outlined three areas of focus for the academic year:
Strengthening Campus Density: Aligning programs with workforce needs, enhancing student experiences, and optimizing the use of facilities.
Building Leadership: Conducting national searches for senior leaders, including a Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, with Provost and Chief Financial Officer searches to follow.
Expanding Partnerships: Deepening collaborations with high schools, industry, and communities, while laying the groundwork for a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
The university will also begin developing its next strategic plan, a collaborative roadmap that will guide PennWest beyond 2026.
The Council of Trustees also approved the annual operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025–26.
Recognizing Emeriti Trustees
The meeting also marked the approval of PennWest’s Trustee Emeritus policy, created to honor trustees who have given more than 10 years of distinguished service through leadership, philanthropy, and engagement.
“We are proud to recognize the individuals who gave so much of themselves to our university communities and continue to inspire us today,” said Board Chair J.D. Dunbar.
PennWest will also honor former trustees from its legacy institutions—California, Clarion, and Edinboro—who meet eligibility requirements. At the Sept. 25 meeting, former Clarion University trustees Milissa Bauer, Sue Burns, R. Lee James, James Kifer, and Howard Schreckengost were recognized. Trustees from Edinboro and California will be celebrated at upcoming meetings.