Christopher M. Fiorentino is an educator and economist who served as president of
West Chester University (WCU) from 2017 to 2024 and retired from that role having
served the university for 41 years, starting as an assistant professor of economics
in 1983.
Prior to being named president of WCU, Dr. Fiorentino served as interim president
for one year and vice president for external operations for three years. He previously
spent nearly 20 years as dean of WCU’s College of Business and Public Affairs (now
the College of Business and Public Management); his tenure within the Department of
Economics included four years as chair.
As president of the largest university in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education,
Dr. Fiorentino led the university through a global pandemic and provided valuable
thought-partnership to his fellow presidents and system leaders amid the nationwide
demographic shift as the number of high-school graduates declined.
Throughout his leadership, Dr. Fiorentino — who was named to Philadelphia Business Journal’s Power 100 list in 2021, 2022 and 2023 — instilled a spirit of innovation and ownership that has empowered students, faculty,
and staff. Just prior to his retirement, he was inducted into the Chester County Hall of Fame
by the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC). The Board of Governors
conferred the status of President Emeritus upon Dr. Fiorentino in the summer of 2024,
and he was awarded an honorary doctorate for public service by Bucks County Community
College, which he attended prior to transferring to Temple University.
Committed to propelling the university forward, Dr. Fiorentino oversaw the construction
of the largest building project on the university’s campus — the 175,000-square-foot
Sciences & Engineering Center and The Commons.
Early on, Dr. Fiorentino helped WCU fulfill its mission to serve local communities and the Commonwealth as a source of knowledge and skill development, a research center, and a service provider. As dean, he helped to secure AACSB accreditation for the School of Business; developed off-campus academic centers, including the Graduate Center in West Goshen Township; and worked with faculty and supporters to create the Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center. Dr. Fiorentino also spearheaded the development of the Center for Community Solutions, which links business and civic leaders who have research needs with University faculty and staff who can address those needs.
Dr. Fiorentino earned his baccalaureate, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in economics from Temple University. He and his wife Sue reside in Chester County, PA.