�鶹��Ƶ

�鶹��Ƶ President, Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. was recently appointed to the board of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP). President Fitzgerald, a member of the AICUP Class of 2029, is one of six new college presidents who have not previously served on the board. Her term begins on July 1, 2026. 

AICUP represents the largest sector of higher education in Pennsylvania, comprising 279,000 students at more than 80 independent nonprofit schools, all working together to advocate for affordable, accessible, and independent nonprofit higher education. The AICUP Board of Directors is made entirely of college presidents from member schools across Pennsylvania, and also AICUP President Thomas P. Foley (who is also a former college president). AICUP board positions rotate each year, and the new board commences each July. 

“I am honored to join the AICUP Board of Directors and collaborate with leaders who share a commitment to expanding access to high-quality higher education and advancing student success across Pennsylvania,” said Fitzgerald. “Independent colleges and universities are essential to developing the next generation of ethical leaders, innovators and engaged citizens. I look forward to supporting AICUP’s advocacy efforts and working alongside my colleagues to strengthen the impact and long-term sustainability of Pennsylvania’s independent institutions while creating transformative opportunities for the students we serve.” 

In July 2023, Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., became �鶹��Ƶ’s eighth president and its first female lay leader. Formerly senior vice president and provost, Fitzgerald is driving the university’s regional expansion through its innovative town-gown model, called “CollegeTowne,” and high-impact industry partnerships, including expanding experiential learning and workforce-aligned programs. Guided by the university's Bernardine Franciscan heritage, her strategic priorities emphasize community service, sustainability, and educational accessibility.  

Notably, she champions student retention via the Hope Fund and the $70 million Partners in Progress campaign. Fitzgerald brings 25 years of higher education leadership experience. She earned doctoral and master’s degrees in organizational communication at SUNY Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree in communication at Edinboro University.  

�鶹��Ƶ Alvernia University: �鶹��Ƶ defines the community. It is a vibrant intellectual environment in which students learn, discover, give and grow as leaders with moral courage. Guided by Franciscan values and the ideal of “knowledge joined with love,” and rooted in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions, Alvernia is a rigorous, caring, and inclusive learning community committed to academic excellence. 

Get more information here: