PennWest selects Fisher to serve as interim president
A onetime instructor and longtime administrator at what was once Edinboro University has been named the interim president of PennWest University.
James “JD” Fisher will take the helm of the university, which includes a campus in California, as well as campuses in Edinboro and Clarion, on Aug. 9.
A native of western Pennsylvania, Fisher is the interim vice chancellor and chief academic officer in the chancellor’s office of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, of which PennWest is a part. Fisher has previously been the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at PennWest, and the interim dean of the university’s College of Social Sciences and Human Services.
“JD Fisher understands PennWest, its people and the campus communities it serves,” said Cynthia Shapira, who chairs PASSHE’s board of governors. “His extensive academic and leadership experience will provide continuity as the university builds on the progress being made across its three campuses.”
Before becoming an administrator, Fisher was a professor of politics and legal studies at Edinboro for more than two decades. At Edinboro, he was chair of the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice for six years, and his teaching and scholarly interests include constitutional law, American politics and political theory.
Fisher received bachelor’s degrees in English and political science from Edinboro, followed by a Ph.D in political science from the University of Wisconsin and a law degree from the College of William and Mary’s law school in Virginia.
Fisher is becoming interim president following the departure of Jon Anderson, who is set to become president of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Anderson was president of PennWest University for two years.
“Dr. Fisher’s extensive experience at PennWest and deep understanding of our university make him exceptionally well prepared to lead during this transition,” according to J.D. Dunbar, chair of the PennWest Council of Trustees. “His collaborative approach and commitment to PennWest’s students, faculty and staff have earned him respect across the university and throughout the State System. We are confident that his leadership will provide stability and momentum as we begin another inspiring and successful year at PennWest.”