UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Peter Hopsicker, professor of kinesiology, has been named associate vice provost for Faculty Affairs at Penn State, effective Jan. 24, 2025. Hopsicker will oversee tenure and tenure-line promotion processes across all academic units and provide strategic leadership in the implementation of policies, planning and other initiatives that affect faculty at Penn State. 

After earning a master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Maryland, Hopsicker started at Penn State Altoona in 1996 as an adjunct instructor in kinesiology and joined the Student Affairs staff a year later. He would later earn a doctorate in kinesiology from Penn State and hold roles such as program coordinator for the Department of Kinesiology; head of the Division of Education, Human Development, and Social Sciences; and professor of kinesiology. In 2019, he took on his most recent role of interim associate dean for Academic Affairs at Penn State Altoona, and later the post of vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.  

“At each stage of my journey, the scope and responsibility of my duties expanded, which allowed me to explore, collaborate and engage with faculty and administrative leadership units across the University,” Hopsicker said. “I look forward to navigating this environment with Kathy Bieschke and her staff as we support faculty growth and development in the promotion and tenure process as well as other faculty development spaces.” 

“Peter is a seasoned academic administrator with a long-standing record of supporting faculty,” said Bieschke, senior vice provost. “His diverse set of experiences will enhance the capacity of the Office of Faculty Affairs to foster faculty development and success.”  

The Penn State Office of Faculty Affairs is dedicated to facilitating and promoting the success of faculty from across all of Penn State. Faculty Affairs oversees promotion and tenure, faculty development, leadership training, executive searches, reviews and other academic personnel matters.