Brandywine appoints new director of Student Affairs

MEDIA, Pa. — Penn State Brandywine has appointed Austin L. Duckett as director of Student Affairs, effective Dec. 17.

Duckett is a seasoned higher education leader with two decades of experience shaping meaningful student opportunities across new student orientation, campus engagement and programming, student union management, leadership development, residence life and student conduct. He has served at several regional higher education institutions, including Ursinus College, West Chester University and Widener University, where he is currently the assistant dean of students.

Regional Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells noted that Duckett’s extensive experience in student affairs and his leadership skills will be great assets for the campus.

“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Austin Duckett as Penn State Brandywine’s director of Student Affairs,” she said. “Austin brings over 20 years of progressive higher education experience across multiple student affairs areas. Austin’s approach and philosophy to engaged campus communities, exceptional communication and executive leadership, fresh perspectives and dissertation research are inspiring for moving Student Affairs and Penn State Brandywine to new levels of growth and success.”

As a member of the Chancellor’s Council at Brandywine, Duckett will participate in the overall leadership and management of the campus, partnering with the senior leaders of other campus units on strategic planning, decision making, policy and procedure development and implementation, and new and developing initiatives.

Duckett will provide leadership and direction for all Student Affairs units, which include Student Engagement and Leadership, Residence Life, Counseling and Health Services, and the Center for Social Impact, as well as student government, student conduct and allocation of student fees, to provide an excellent co-curricular student experience and sense of belonging for all students. He will also lead and support emerging and existing efforts related to diversity, equity and inclusion; behavioral threat management and early intervention; sexual misconduct prevention and response; and collaboration with Student Affairs colleagues and leaders across Penn State and the Commonwealth Campuses to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all students.

“Penn State Brandywine is a regional gem — uniquely positioned to deliver a world-class education to students across our region,” Duckett said. “I am excited to join Regional Chancellor Wells, the campus leadership team and the greater Penn State community to increase access, retention and community impact. During my visit, I connected with passionate faculty, engaged and caring staff, and proud Penn State students. The love and energy on campus were palpable, and that experience further affirmed my decision to join the Penn State Brandywine community.”

Duckett added that he looks forward to collaborating with the Student Affairs team and other campus and community partners to shape a transformative student experience that is forward-thinking, agile and responsive to change.

“I strive to ensure that the faces, spaces and places of Penn State Brandywine are focused on creating an inclusive environment for our students where academic rigor, intellectual curiosity and social connection are the norm through innovative programming, traditions and other leadership experiences,” he said.

As assistant dean of students at Widener University, Duckett is the chief architect of student engagement strategy, providing direction for key campus initiatives, overseeing major campus programs including New Student Orientation, and leading a multifaceted team that supports thousands of students each year.

At West Chester University, Duckett was a graduate hall director and complex resident director, supervising student housing, providing student development opportunities and supporting the recruitment, training and evaluation of more than 90 resident assistants across the department. As assistant director of leadership development and student activities at Ursinus College, he led large-format campus programming, was co-adviser to the campus activities board and supported more than 70 student organizations including all fraternities and sororities.

Duckett earned a doctorate in higher education leadership from Widener University, a master’s degree in higher education counseling and student affairs from West Chester University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lycoming College. He is known for his collaborative leadership style and a proven ability to build strong campus partnerships, elevate student programming and advance institutional goals through creative, student-centered approaches grounded in inclusive excellence.

Wells also thanked Don Brennan, assistant director of residence life, for serving as Brandywine’s interim director of student affairs since March.

“I am incredibly grateful for Don’s calm but accomplished leadership of Student Affairs during this time of transition,” Wells said. “Don has achieved a resurgence of the mission and energy of our Center for Social Impact, a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties and planning for an alternative spring break experience, planning and execution of our redesigned model for New Student Orientation, hiring and onboarding of our new Athletics and Student Affairs administrative assistant, and Student Affairs partnering campus-wide on programs such as Brandywine Benefitting THON, Homecoming and Family Day, to name a few. I look forward to Don’s continued leadership and passion for maximizing established and emerging opportunities for our campus community.”