UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Cory Scherer, interim director of academic affairs and professor of psychology at Penn State Schuylkill, has been named the campus' permanent director of academic affairs, effective July 1. Concurrently, Scherer has been appointed interim chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill, also effective July 1. Scherer has been serving as interim director of academic affairs since July 2023.
Scherer will assume the interim chancellor role following the departure of Patrick Jones, who accepted a position as president of Bucks County Community College in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
"I have enjoyed working with Dr. Scherer in his capacity as interim director of academic affairs, having served three times in this role, and I am thrilled that he has accepted the permanent appointment. He has been a wise and trusted partner to me and the rest of our cabinet," said Patrick Jones, chancellor. “I have every confidence in his leadership of the campus and look forward to applauding his successes in the years to come."
During his time as interim director of academic affairs, Scherer has worked to develop and expand campus programs. In collaboration with partners across the University, he contributed to the launch of the bachelor of science in nursing program, helped create the Zuber-Slocum Academic Success program, and has been updating the dual-enrollment program in partnership with local high schools.
“I am honored and thrilled to take on this new role as leader of the campus, a place that has become very special to me over the past 17 years,” Scherer said. “I am looking forward to guiding the campus as we continue to fulfill our mission for the community.”
Scherer’s research interests include social cognition, evolutionary psychology and positive psychology. On these topics, he has published numerous articles and presented at national conferences. His most recent publications include articles for Current Psychology, Psychological Reports, the Journal of Personal and Social Relationships, and the Journal of Social Relationships. In addition, he serves as editor-in-chief of Psychological Reports.
He has been recognized with the Alumni/Student Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Penn State Alumni Society, Penn State Schuylkill Faculty Service Award, Penn State Schuylkill Award for Excellence in Teaching, President's Research Award, and Penn State Schuylkill Advisory Board Research Award.
“We are in a time of significant change across the Commonwealth Campuses, and I am grateful to Dr. Scherer for his willingness to assume this interim chancellor role,” said Margo DelliCarpini, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor. “Dr. Scherer’s focus on academic excellence will serve the campus incredibly well, and I look forward to working with him in the months ahead as all campuses are positioned for an enhanced student experience. Penn State Schuylkill and the Commonwealth Campuses are fortunate to have Dr. Scherer provide this leadership.”
Highly active in the Schuylkill County community, Scherer serves as a youth soccer coach and youth softball coach in Schuylkill Haven and serves as president of the Schuylkill Haven Girls Soccer booster club.
Scherer joined the faculty at Penn State Schuylkill in 2007. Prior to joining the Schuylkill campus, he was a visiting professor at Denison University in Granville, Ohio, following a year as a part-time instructor at Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois.
Scherer earned his bachelor of arts degree from Albion College in Albion, Michigan. He earned both a master of arts degree and a doctorate degree in social and industrial/organizational psychology from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
Scherer and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Lake Wynonah, Pennsylvania, with their two daughters, Emelia and Allison, and their son, Elijah.