UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Meeghan Hollis has been appointed senior director of Residence Life at Penn State, effective June 1. Hollis brings more than 23 years of experience in residence life and student affairs to this role, having served in various leadership capacities across Penn State’s multi-campus residential system.
Hollis, who has served as interim co-senior director of Residence Life since March 2026, will now lead a comprehensive residential program that supports over 20,000 students across 12 campuses. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing strategic initiatives, overseeing crisis response, and fostering inclusive and supportive residential communities that enhance student success.
Throughout her tenure at Penn State, Hollis has demonstrated a commitment to collaboration and innovation, working with diverse teams to align systems and build strong partnerships. As senior associate director of Residence Life she guided human resources operations for 100 professional staff, managed a $16.7 million budget, and spearheaded initiatives to improve equity, inclusion, and sustainability within residential programs.
“Throughout my career, it has been a privilege to work alongside the students who call our residential communities home and the many staff, faculty and campus partners who come together each day to support their success,” said Hollis. “I look forward to continuing to build on the strong foundation across Residence Life and partnering with communities throughout the commonwealth to create safe, supportive, and meaningful residential experiences where students can live, learn and flourish together.”
Hollis also served as an administrative fellow under the mentorship of the vice president for Student Affairs, where she gained invaluable experience in institutional governance and strategy development. Her contributions to university-wide initiatives, including student health and well-being and the Student Affairs co-curriculum, highlight her ability to think and lead at a systems level.
“Meeghan has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive residential communities across Penn State,” noted Darcy Rameker, assistant vice president for Student Affairs. “Her extensive experience, collaborative approach, and unwavering dedication to enhancing the student experience, while also investing in and empowering the staff who make that experience possible, make her the ideal leader to step into this role and continue advancing the transformative work of Residence Life.”
Hollis’s leadership journey began at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, where she developed her foundational skills as a student leader and later as a Student Affairs professional. A Penn State alumna, Hollis holds a bachelor of science degree from Behrend and a master of education in educational leadership from Edinboro University. She is currently pursuing a doctor of education degree, with anticipated completion in December 2026.
Her professional achievements include developing a system-wide residential curriculum, leading large-scale assessment initiatives, and overseeing capital and construction projects that have transformed residential experiences across the Commonwealth Campuses. Hollis’s dedication to advancing student success and fostering inclusive environments has earned her recognition as a strategic and community-oriented leader, Rameker said.
Penn State Student Affairs supports holistic student success through advocacy, education, engagement and care. With more than 30 programs and units, Student Affairs helps students thrive in and out of the classroom, discover community and belonging, build leadership skills and create lasting memories. All programs and events are open to all students, regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race or other protected class. Student Affairs is committed to building a community of belonging for all. Learn more about Student Affairs programs at studentaffairs.psu.edu.