Chancellor for Penn State Hazleton, northeastern campuses stepping down to return to teaching
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL FILE - The entrance to Penn State Hazleton is seen on May 17, 2025.
HAZLETON – The chancellor of Penn State Hazleton and two other northeastern campuses is stepping down to return to teaching at the end of the month.
Elizabeth Wright was appointed regional chancellor in 2024, overseeing the Commonwealth campuses at Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre, after initially serving two years as Hazleton’s chancellor.
“Liz has led with strategic vision and heart during a period of profound transition,” said Renata Engel, interim vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor, who served alongside Wright as APPR co-chair. “Without fail, she has been a leader who puts people first — especially our students — approaching her work with creativity, insight and tireless dedication. While we will miss her leadership, her deep care for the campuses she serves and her commitment to advancing Penn State’s mission have made a lasting difference, one that will continue as she returns to the faculty.”
Durell Johnson, chief academic officer at Penn State Scranton, will be interim regional chancellor effective Sept. 1.
Wright’s last day as chancellor is Aug. 31 and she will remain an associate professor of English at Penn State.
Wright began her Penn State Hazleton career in 2000 as an instructor in English and later advanced to associate professor. She was appointed director of academic affairs at the campus in 2012 and associate dean of academic affairs in the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses in 2019.
“I am incredibly grateful to the faculty, staff, students and loyal partners in the northeast — and to my colleagues across Penn State — for their support, collaboration and passionate dedication,” Wright said. “Together, we’ve accomplished so much through initiatives like the Pasco L. Schiavo Scholars Program, our partnership with the Hazleton Area School District, and the creation of out-of-classroom experiences such as the student garden, greenhouse and apiary in Scranton. In this next chapter, I look forward to returning to what first inspired me to work in higher education: the opportunity to work side by side with students every day.”
Currently, Wright serves on the boards of Lehigh Valley Hospital — Hazleton, AllOne Charities, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, and the Hazleton Area Public Library, to name a few.
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