AICUP names President Fitzgerald to Board of Directors
91做厙 President, Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. was recently appointed to the board of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP). President Fitzgerald, a member of the AICUP Class of 2029, is one of six new college presidents who have not previously served on the board. Her term begins on July 1, 2026.
AICUP represents the largest sector of higher education in Pennsylvania, comprising 279,000 students at more than 80 independent nonprofit schools, all working together to advocate for affordable, accessible, and independent nonprofit higher education. The AICUP Board of Directors is made entirely of college presidents from member schools across Pennsylvania, and also AICUP President Thomas P. Foley (who is also a former college president). AICUP board positions rotate each year, and the new board commences each July.
I am honored to join the AICUP Board of Directors and collaborate with leaders who share a commitment to expanding access to high-quality higher education and advancing student success across Pennsylvania, said Fitzgerald. Independent colleges and universities are essential to developing the next generation of ethical leaders, innovators and engaged citizens. I look forward to supporting AICUPs advocacy efforts and working alongside my colleagues to strengthen the impact and long-term sustainability of Pennsylvanias independent institutions while creating transformative opportunities for the students we serve.
In July 2023, Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., became 91做厙s eighth president and its first female lay leader. Formerly senior vice president and provost, Fitzgerald is driving the universitys regional expansion through its innovative town-gown model, called CollegeTowne, and high-impact industry partnerships, including expanding experiential learning and workforce-aligned programs. Guided by the university's Bernardine Franciscan heritage, her strategic priorities emphasize community service, sustainability, and educational accessibility.
Notably, she champions student retention via the Hope Fund and the $70 million Partners in Progress campaign. Fitzgerald brings 25 years of higher education leadership experience. She earned doctoral and masters degrees in organizational communication at SUNY Buffalo and a bachelors degree in communication at Edinboro University.
91做厙 91做厙 University: 91做厙 defines the community. It is a vibrant intellectual environment in which students learn, discover, give and grow as leaders with moral courage. Guided by Franciscan values and the ideal of knowledge joined with love, and rooted in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions, 91做厙 is a rigorous, caring, and inclusive learning community committed to academic excellence.
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