In an interview with the Daily Pennsylvanian, Interim Penn President Jameson addresses some of the issues surrounding the campus in the past semester.
Credit: Derek WongAfter a tumultuous fall 2023 semester for the Penn administration, the University experienced significant administrative changes as the fallout from former Penn President Liz Magill’s resignation continued.
With Interim Penn President Larry Jameson at the helm, Penn appointed five deans and multiple new vice provost positions, among other administrative shifts. In many of the announcements for new appointments, the University reemphasized its commitment to meeting goals outlined in Penn’s various strategic In Principle and Practice framework.
On Jan. 4, Penn appointed Ramanan Raghavendran as the new chair of the University Board of Trustees after former Chair Scott Bok resigned in December 2023. Raghavendran formerly chaired the School of Arts and Sciences Board of Advisors.
In May, nearly five months after Magill’s historic resignation, the Board of Trustees had not announced the formation of a presidential search committee. This deviated from the three previous presidential searches, when the Board of Trustees started the process within two months of the former president’s resignation announcement.
On June 10, Raghavendran announced in an email to the Penn community that Jameson would serve as president in an interim capacity through the 2026 academic year or until a successor is chosen.
In April, former College Dean Paul Sniegowski announced in an email to the Penn community that he was leaving the University to become president of Earlham College. Classical Studies professor Peter Struck was named Stephen A. Levin Family Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on July 9 and assumed the position in August.
In March, Penn appointed Marylyn Ritchie as the inaugural vice dean of Artificial Intelligence and Computing for the Perelman School of Medicine. Ritchie, who is a co-lead of the research pillar of Penn Medicine’s strategic plan “Serving a Changing World,” will develop and implement AI strategies across Penn Medicine’s research, education, and healthcare delivery in the role.
In May, Penn announced the creation of two new positions to promote the University’s strategic framework. In October, Music and Africana Studies professor Timothy Rommen became the inaugural vice provost for the arts, while Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media Director Michael Mann became the inaugural vice provost for climate science, policy, and action.
Over the summer, former Penn Vice President for University Communications Anna Cowenhoven announced her resignation. Her predecessor, Stephen MacCarthy, is currently filling the role in an interim capacity.
Cowenhoven, who was appointed by Magill, resigned less than a year into her tenure. MacCarthy served as the vice president for University Communications from 2011 to 2023 under former Penn President Amy Gutmann.
On Sept. 10, Jameson announced that current SAS Dean Steven Fluharty — the longest-serving dean in SAS history — would be stepping down from the position at the end of the year. Jameson named Jeffrey Kallberg, who currently serves as the deputy SAS dean and William R. Kenan Jr. professor of music, as Interim SAS Dean on Dec. 12.
Lisa Bellini was appointed as the executive vice dean for the Perelman School of Medicine and senior vice president of Academic Affairs for the University of Pennsylvania Health System on Oct. 29.
On Nov. 13, the University announced that it will extend current Stuart Weitzman School of Design Dean Frederick Steiner’s contract for two more years until June 30, 2027.
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