Spotlight

New Regional Chancellor

By Tom Scherberger | USFSP

Sophia T. Wisniewska has been named Regional Chancellor for USF St. Petersburg.

Wisniewska, chancellor of Penn State Brandywine since 2005, is a scholar of Russian language and literature with extensive experience in key leadership positions in the Penn State System.

Wisniewska also served six years as dean and chief executive officer at Temple University Ambler. She started as a secretary at Penn State and rose through the ranks to lead its most diverse campus.

“Sophia Wisniewska has the experience and vision to continue the enormous progress of USF St. Petersburg,” USF System President Judy Genshaft said. “Her commitment to scholarship, teaching and community engagement will enrich both USFSP and the broader community. She will inspire all who meet her.”

Wisniewska thanked Genshaft for her confidence.

“It is a rare privilege to have the opportunity to lead an institution with such strong programs and engaged faculty, and to join a community where faculty and students collaborate on research and service projects,” she said. “USFSP is uniquely positioned to play a vital role in the intellectual, economic and cultural development of the region. I look forward to getting to know the students, the faculty, the staff and other members of the community, and to join with them to advance USFSP’s mission.”

While at Penn State and Temple University, Wisniewska created innovative academic programs and forged strong relationships with community leaders that strengthened both institutions. She believes that research and community engagement enrich the educational experience of all students and improves the broader community.

Wisniewska earned a Ph.D. and a master’s in Russian from Bryn Mawr College and a bachelor’s in Russian with a minor in history from Penn State. She assumes her new duties July 1.

Born in a small Polish town, Wisniewska moved to Philadelphia in 1962. The first member of her family to finish grade school and the first to graduate college, she worked as a secretary at Penn State after graduation there and was soon promoted to evening school administrator. The promotions continued during a distinguished career at both Penn State and Temple.

One of her top priorities at USFSP will be to develop a five-year strategic plan, something she accomplished while at Penn State Brandywine.

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