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Leading from the Top

Our university has a robust leadership, with proven expertise in higher education. We are dedicated to your success and provide any and all support needed to ensure you receive the very best education. All our senior administrators are ably supported by teams comprised of members that have area expertise that helps create curriculum and resources which will benefit you and the community around us.

The Raider Way

Founded in 1871 as the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, Shippensburg University is a member of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. Ship values its community feel, as is evident from our average class size of 26. Personalized attention is key to both the success of our students and our academic programs, of which 13 are accredited. Beyond the classroom, our students have access to unique resources, such as the Center for Land Use and Sustainability, a stock trading room, centers for entrepreneurial leadership and innovation, a fashion archives and museum, and the only public elementary lab school in the state.

Our Mission

We are focused on your learning and personal development through highly effective and innovative teaching, complemented by a wide variety of out-of-class experiences. Our ultimate goal is to have you develop the intellectual, personal, and social capabilities you need to perform as competent citizens prepared to embark on a career immediately upon graduation or after advanced study.

Committed to public service and community-centered in our relationships to the region, this university works closely and collaboratively with other organizations at institutional, programmatic and individual levels to develop common goals, share resources and invest cooperatively in the future of the region.

Our Vision

To be recognized as the premier public [comprehensive] university in providing high quality education for students and a wide array of programs and services to meet the needs of south central Pennsylvania and beyond.
Overall, our purpose is to help build a better, stronger south central Pennsylvania and beyond, economically and culturally, through recruiting, retaining, and developing students, faculty, and staff who have the abilities, skills, and values to compete and contribute to their community in an evolving world.

Our President, Dr. Charles Patterson

Dr. Patterson was appointed president in May 2022 by the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. His leadership term commenced July 1, 2021 as interim president.

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Nicole R. Hill

The Provost's Office provides leadership and maintains direct administrative responsibility for educational programming including curricular, budgetary and academic personnel matters, coordination of enrollment management and academic administrative services including recruiting, admissions, registrar functions, and institutional research and planning. The Provost's Office is responsible for the support of the University's governance system and for ensuring compliance with policies of the State System and of accrediting agencies.

Governing Boards and Committees

The president and provost are supported in their work by the university governing boards and committees. Each of these units work diligently to address issues pertinent to your success. There is a wide depth and range to the activities and reach each unit enjoys, and successful outcomes are generated through implementation of best practices.