UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Renata Engel has accepted a three-year appointment as Penn State vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor, effective immediately. Engel has held the role in an interim capacity since mid-May.
Previously, Engel served as vice provost for Online Education from 2018 to 2025. Karen Pollack, associate vice provost for Online Education, will continue to lead Penn State Online Education on an interim basis.
“This is a critical time for our Commonwealth Campuses, requiring a strong, collaborative and compassionate leader who can provide a clear vision for the long-term future of our campuses while also overseeing the transition to closure for seven campuses,” said Fotis Sotiropoulos, Penn State executive vice president and provost. “Renata's deep, personal connection to the Commonwealth Campus mission, having started her Penn State journey as a student at the Fayette campus, makes her uniquely qualified for this important leadership role.
“As vice president, Renata will continue to focus on advancing student success, strengthening the academic and financial sustainability of our campuses, and supporting the faculty and staff whose dedication is central to our mission. She also will be listening closely to the needs of each campus community as we work together to shape a sustainable, high-quality future for the Commonwealth Campuses.”
A longtime member of the Penn State community, Engel has held numerous leadership and faculty positions since joining the University in 1990. She holds the title of professor of engineering mechanics and engineering design, and prior to her role as vice provost, she held administrative roles as associate vice provost for online programs, associate dean for academic programs in the College of Engineering, and director of the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence.
Engel said that over the next three years, her primary focus will be on reimagining the future of the Commonwealth Campuses, so that they can continue to serve the educational needs of local communities and the state long into the future.
“I am honored to continue in this role and look forward to the opportunity to reimagine what our Commonwealth Campuses can be,” Engel said. “This is a time of reflection, change and growth, and planning for the future. As we evaluate how to strengthen the Commonwealth Campus ecosystem, I will be focused on long-term academic quality, successful outcomes for our students, and a sustainable future model. Central to this work is our commitment to the commonwealth and the citizens of Pennsylvania. It is critically important that our campuses are places where our students can receive a world-class education that is relevant to the state’s workforce needs, and that following graduation our students are prepared for successful lives and careers right here in Pennsylvania.”
Engel also emphasized her continued commitment to listening closely to campus communities during this time of transition, making sure student success remains at the forefront of all decision-making, and creating a supportive environment for faculty and staff across the Commonwealth Campuses.
“I am excited to work hand-in-hand with our campus leaders to build toward a stronger future while navigating the challenges we currently face,” Engel said. “It is imperative that we are doing everything in our power to make sure our students have every opportunity to succeed — wherever they begin their Penn State journey. I also recognize the incredible dedication of our faculty and staff, and I am committed to providing them with the tools, resources and support they need to help our students thrive.”
A native of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, Engel began her collegiate studies at Penn State Fayette before completing her bachelor’s degree in engineering science at the University Park campus in 1982. She earned a doctorate in engineering mechanics from the University of South Florida in 1988.
As vice provost for Online Education, Engel provided overarching leadership of online programming through Penn State World Campus, in partnership and collaboration with deans, chancellors, vice presidents and vice provosts University-wide. In this role, Engel was instrumental in expanding access to high-quality online degree offerings, particularly for adult learners and nontraditional students. Programs launched under her leadership include the Penn State online MBA, a software engineering bachelor’s degree, and doctoral programs in education and engineering, among many others.
Her efforts also have focused on affordability and student support services. Under her guidance, World Campus launched the Chaiken Center for Student Success, a virtual hub providing academic advising, mentoring and other resources to enhance retention and degree completion.
Engel also led initiatives to ease the transition into college life, particularly for students who may face financial or academic barriers. These include programs like PaSSS (Pathway to Success: Summer Start) at select Commonwealth Campuses and Smart Track to Success for World Campus students, both designed to improve student retention and graduation rates and reduce the cost and time to earn a degree.