LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — Lindsey Simon-Jones, associate professor of English, will serve as interim chancellor and chief academic officer of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2024, during the transition to a regional leadership model. Penn State is streamlining its Commonwealth Campus leadership structure as several chancellors retire or leave. Megan Nagel, currently the chancellor of Penn State Greater Allegheny, will oversee Penn State’s Fayette, Greater Allegheny and New Kensington campuses, with Simon-Jones facilitating the transition at the Fayette campus.
“I’m honored to be selected for the position of interim chancellor and chief academic officer at the Fayette campus,” Simon-Jones said. “I look forward to working with campus and University leaders during this transition to support academic excellence and continue our commitment to student-centered learning.”
Simon-Jones has been recognized as a distinguished teacher, scholar and administrator at Penn State Fayette. She has served as program coordinator for the humanities bachelor of arts degree program, the English Department, and the multidisciplinary studies associate degree program, where she oversaw full-time and part-time faculty, coordinated curriculum, and mentored junior faculty. She also has been actively involved in the accreditation assessment for the nursing, physical therapist assistant and engineering programs.
In her role as a faculty leader, Simon-Jones has chaired the Promotion and Tenure Committee, the Fayette Faculty Senate, and various other key committees. She organized the English Department’s fall conference and collaborated on the restructuring of the Fayette Faculty Senate into a more efficient committee and subcommittee structure.
Simon-Jones' research interests include medieval literature, modern British social history, and the intersection of gender and culture. Her publications cover topics such as Anglo-Saxon world influences and gender in medieval texts. She has received numerous awards, including the Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching and the Scholarly Excellence Award.
Simon-Jones earned her doctorate and master of arts in English from Penn State and a bachelor of arts in English from Youngstown State University, graduating summa cum laude.
“I am delighted Dr. Simon-Jones will be serving as interim chancellor and chief academic officer at Penn State Fayette, and I am confident that she will play a critical role in supporting the many changes we are experiencing and embracing as we move toward a sustainable Commonwealth Campus structure,” said Margo DelliCarpini, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor.
Regional leadership model for Commonwealth Campuses
Penn State's regionalization initiative aims to streamline and enhance the leadership and operational efficiency of its Commonwealth Campuses. By transitioning to a regional leadership model, the University seeks to foster greater collaboration, resource sharing and strategic planning across campuses. This model is designed to provide more cohesive support for students, faculty and staff, so that each campus can leverage the strengths and resources of the broader Penn State network while maintaining its unique community identity and focus. Through this initiative, Penn State is committed to maintaining academic excellence and enriching the student experience across all of its campuses.