Harrisburg – The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education today unanimously selected Dr. Guiyou Huang, chancellor for Louisiana State University of Alexandria, to be the next president of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, effective July 1.

Dr. Huang has served as chancellor of LSU Alexandria since January 2017, and his appointment at Edinboro means a return to Pennsylvania's System of Higher Education. He taught at Kutztown University from 1995 to 2004, serving as a tenured professor, director of the university honors program, and chair of the English Department. 

“Dr. Huang's breadth of experience and impressive accomplishments underscores that he's the right leader for Edinboro University," Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia D. Shapira said. “He is accomplished both as a classroom leader and a university leader. We believe he will guide Edinboro in its mission as a high-quality educational institution, and we're thrilled he's chosen to return and contribute to the State System's ongoing success." 

As chancellor of LSU Alexandria, Dr. Huang has served as the university's chief executive officer, overseeing seven academic and administrative divisions at a campus of about 3,200 students. He has led the institution toward fiscal health and greatly improved the university's retention rates from 53.4 percent in Fall 2017 to 63.2 percent a year later. 

“Edinboro University is getting a president who cares deeply about the student experience," State System Chancellor Dan Greenstein said. “His record of accomplishment speaks to his drive and passion for higher education, and we look forward to his contributions toward student success at Edinboro. He will be a leading figure during this crucial chapter in the history of the university and the entire State System as we successfully implement our redesign." 

Dr. Huang said he is “honored and humbled" by his appointment as Edinboro president. 

“Edinboro University is a valued member of a great system with a storied past and even brighter future," Dr. Huang said. “The campus is upbeat with a strong sense of optimism, and I am eager to be part of the university's future of growth and distinction and to work with the Board of Governors, Chancellor Greenstein, fellow presidents, the Council of Trustees, and the entire campus to enhance the future of Edinboro University." 

The Board's action today comes at the conclusion of a national search for Edinboro University's next leader. Dr. Michael Hannan has been serving as interim president since April 2018 and will return to his previous position as provost and vice president for academic affairs July 1 when Dr. Huang begins as president.  

Dennis Frampton, chair of the Edinboro Council of Trustees, said Dr. Huang impressed the council with his ability to prepare students for serving their families and communities as they move toward successful careers. Frampton also noted that Dr. Huang, in part because of his teaching experience at Kutztown, considers Pennsylvania home.

“We believe Dr. Huang's exceptional leadership ability and wealth of experience, coupled with his temperament and manner, make him an outstanding choice to lead Edinboro into its next chapter," Frampton said. “We are confident that Dr. Huang has the ability to reach across lines drawn by differing opinions, working collaboratively to achieve results based on research and data. We are very pleased to welcome him – and his family – back to Pennsylvania and are proud to announce him as Edinboro's next leader."

Dr. Huang earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Qufu Normal University in Shandong, China, a graduate studies diploma in English from Beijing University, and a Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University. He has also completed several certificate programs at Harvard University.

Prior to his time at LSUA, Dr. Huang served five-and-a-half years as senior vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. During his time at Norwich, he orchestrated the school's first-ever academic plan and restructured the university's eight schools into five colleges to better align programs, achieve financial efficiency, and streamline academic structures. He also led an effort to establish four centers/institutes: Center for Peace and War Studies, Center for Global Resilience and Security, University Center for Writing, and Leadership & Change Institute.

Dr. Huang's teaching career began at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., as an adjunct professor before joining the faculty at Kutztown University.  

Edinboro University, founded in 1857, enrolls about 4,800 students and offers more than 140 associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. The school is located in Edinboro, Pa., and has 70,000 alumni located in every state and in 75 countries.

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education oversees 14 four-year public universities educating more than 90,000 students across the Commonwealth. The State System offers more than 2,300 degrees and certificates in more than 530 academic areas.