Penn State Names Academic Leader for Online Programs

Pennsylvania State University has named Renata Engel associate vice provost for online programs. The new leadership position was established to oversee the academic unit within the university's World Campus online education division.

According to a university statement, Engel will help advance new online undergraduate and graduate offerings, including noncredit programs and massive open online courses, to students across the country and around the world. She will be responsible for all World Campus online programs, academic advising and faculty development, and will work with the university's academic leaders to increase online enrollments.

"Renata brings a wealth of talent, leadership and institutional knowledge to this important academic position," said Craig Weidemann, vice president for outreach and vice provost for online education, in a statement. "The continued development of outstanding online programs, embedded within Penn State's colleges and campuses, will play a critical role in the attraction of new students and advancing teaching innovations."

Engel has been a Penn State faculty member since 1990. She earned a bachelor of science degree in engineering science from Penn State and a doctoral degree in engineering mechanics from the University of South Florida.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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