A mission everyone can support

Since coming aboard as interim chancellor in the fall, my top priority has been to advance the State System’s mission. Driven by the support of our faculty, staff, university leaders, trustees, and board members, we are working hard to foster the success of our students, our universities, and the communities we serve. 

That work requires resources, and I’m thankful to Governor Shapiro for supporting our request for a 6.5 percent funding increase for 2025-26 — a demonstration of the Governor's confidence in our universities and our students — underscoring PASSHE’s positive trajectory. 

The funding increase will allow us to keep our tuition flat for yet another year. This would be the eighth consecutive fall semester with no tuition increase, a real and tangible benefit to our students. Had tuition continued to grow with inflation, it would be about 25% higher today — essentially the cost of a whole year’s tuition in a student’s four-year career at a PASSHE university. 

Increased state investment in recent years has made our turnaround possible. It has allowed us to avoid shifting the burden to our students at a time when they can least afford it. Without state support, none of this would have been possible, especially considering where we were a decade ago. 

Just think back to that time. 

Tuition rates were rising while enrollments were falling. Our relationship with the legislature had stagnated, and state funding was lagging. We were just beginning to recognize that serious changes — and difficult choices — needed to be made.     

We are now beginning to see positive results from our efforts. 

For the first time in more than a decade, overall enrollment is stabilizing. Student retention is improving. Affordability is surging. And our system’s financial sustainability is pointing in the right direction. More work is needed — and higher ed is facing more demographic headwinds in the years ahead — but our universities are now better positioned to face those challenges and live up to our mission.    


Over the past few months, I’ve met with dozens of legislators as we prepare for our budget hearings and advocacy season. These productive meetings have allowed me to tell PASSHE’s remarkable story, to discuss our funding request, and to answer their questions. I’ve sensed strong support for our mission and our universities, and I look forward to continuing these discussions in the weeks and months ahead. (NOTE: You can see PASSHE’s funding request and annual accountability report HERE.)    

The case for PASSHE is clear and strong. An investment in our universities and our students is an investment in Pennsylvania’s future. It’s that simple.    

PASSHE universities offer affordable, high-quality experiences that transform lives. Our institutions prepare graduates to be leaders in their communities and in their careers. Our universities also meet the talent supply needs of the businesses and organizations that fuel our local, regional, and statewide economies.     

As Pennsylvania’s only state-owned universities, we must never stop improving, evolving, and growing. That’s our commitment to the people of this state, and it’s a mission that everyone can support. 

Chris Fiorentino

Interim Chancellor

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