MEDIA, Pa. — Holly Ryan, associate professor of English at Penn State Berks, has been appointed interim campus chief academic officer at Penn State Brandywine, effective Sept. 15. Ryan, who will serve in the interim role for the 2026-27 academic year, brings nearly 20 years of research, teaching and service to the position, along with faculty and campus leadership experience.
The chief academic officer is responsible for academic and faculty affairs at the campus. Key areas of responsibility include faculty and academic staff leadership; student academic success; academic program and curricular leadership; and budget planning, administration and development.
Regional Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells said she looks forward to the experience and perspective Ryan will bring to the campus.
“I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Ryan to Penn State Brandywine as our interim campus chief academic officer,” Wells said. “From the first time I met Holly, I was impressed by her energy and excitement for academic leadership. She brings a highly respected portfolio of faculty and academic leadership expertise, experiences and values that will help our campus community to fulfill Penn State’s land-grant mission and initiatives for the future.
“Holly is a positive communicator and a collaborator. I am excited for what she will bring to our leadership team and to academic affairs to empower our faculty and staff to elevate student success and community impact.”
Ryan earned a bachelor of science in early childhood education and a bachelor of arts in English from Eastern Connecticut State University and a master of arts in English and a doctorate in rhetoric, composition and the teaching of English from the University of Arizona. Prior to joining Penn State Berks in 2010, she was a lecturing fellow and associate director of the writing studio at Duke University.
At Penn State Berks, Ryan has served as interim division head of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; writing center director; composition program chair; ombudsperson; and chair of the faculty senate. Among her honors and awards, she has received the Penn State Berks Outstanding Service Award, the Penn State Emerging Leaders Provost Endorsement, and the International Writing Centers Association Best Article Nomination.
Ryan said she was excited to join the Brandywine community and serve as the interim chief academic officer.
“During my time in the role, I’m looking forward to working with students, faculty, staff and community members to continue offering excellent educational opportunities while also planning thoughtfully and ambitiously for the campus’ future,” Ryan said. “My goal is to provide thoughtful academic leadership by keeping students at the center of our decisions and working collaboratively with faculty and staff as we navigate this period of transition.”
Jennifer Nesbitt, who has served as Brandywine’s chief academic officer for the past three years, was recently named associate dean for faculty affairs at Penn State’s University College, which includes Brandywine and 13 other Commonwealth Campuses.