A New Cheyney University

Oct. 8, 2008 - PRLog -- President Howard-Vital announced the appointments of Dr. Ivan Banks, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Irene Mozer, Vice President for Finance and Administration and Dr. Sulayman Clark, Vice President for Institutional Advancement to the university community, and announced the transition to a stronger, more flexible, fiscally sound and responsive university.

Dr. Vital vowed to work with members of the university community and the new administrative team to improve the financial infrastructure of Cheyney.  In particular, Dr. Vital will rely on the expertise of Irene Moszer, who has had a remarkable career, which includes Alfred University in New York as a vice president and is known for its academic quality appearing in the US News Best Buys for Colleges and Universities.  “In the current financial climate, now, more than ever, Cheyney University must solidify its financial base by ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of fiscal management policies, processes and procedures that are in full compliance,” said President Vital.  Dr. Vital also announced the implementation of a campus-wide task force on fiscal and administrative accountability that will be chaired by Dr. Moszer.  

“The transition of Cheyney University into the new Cheyney University will also include the generation of additional resources and effective friend raising and fundraising,” said Vital.  Dr. Sulayman Clark will be pivotal in helping the university develop and grow the Cheyney University Foundation to create more scholarships to attract talented and deserving students to the university.  Clark earned a Master of Arts degree from Stanford University and a Doctor of Education degree from Harvard University in the area of educational administration. His doctoral thesis entitled, The Educational Philosophy of Leslie Pinckney Hill: A Profile in Black Educational Leadership focuses on the early history of Cheyney University.

The press conference also marked the official first day of the university’s provost, Dr. Ivan Banks, who joins the Cheyney from New Jersey City University where he served as the dean of the school of education.  Under the leadership of Banks and with the expertise of the university’s faculty, Cheyney’s will continue its efforts to establish centers of excellence in the areas of teacher education, natural and applied sciences, and communication & media arts.

Also attending today’s press conference was Dr. John Cavanaugh, Chancellor for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Recently appointed as chancellor, Dr. Cavanaugh is responsible for the oversight of the fourteen state universities.  Chancellor Cavanaugh announced his support and complete confidence in President Howard-Vital and the administrative team.  “I am encouraged by Cheyney’s progress to date, but I believe that Cheyney is writing a new chapter in its long and distinguished history,” said Cavanaugh.

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Cheyney University is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education, and the only Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university offers baccalaureate degrees in more than 30 disciplines and six master’s degree programs. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.cheyney.edu.