Geraldine Jones named president of California University

April 7, 2016

HARRISBURG, Pa - The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education today unanimously selected Geraldine Jones as the next president of California University. Jones has served as the university's interim president since March 2013.

Jones was named Cal U's acting president in May 2012, after having served for nearly four years as the university's provost and vice president for academic affairs. She first came to the university in 1974 as director of the Upward Bound program.

"Geraldine Jones has provided more than four decades of extraordinary service to California University of Pennsylvania," said Board of Governors Chair Guido Pichini. "She has led the institution through extremely challenging times as acting, then interim, president. We are confident she will continue to provide the university, her alma mater, the same level of service and leadership she has in the past, and will guide it to even greater success in the future."

Jones graduated from what was then California State College in 1972. After beginning her career in education as a second grade teacher in the Albert Gallatin School District in Uniontown, she returned to Cal U two years later. She served as director of the Upward Bound program for nearly 20 years before being named chair of the department of academic development services. She held that position for 11 years and later was named associate dean, then dean, of the College of Education and Human Services in 2000. She was named provost and vice president for academic affairs in 2008.

"California University has been my lifetime passion," said Jones. "Since my first days on campus as a student, it has been a special place to me. I have dedicated my professional career to the university, and look forward to continuing to work on its behalf and on behalf of the students, faculty, and staff to do the best I can to help ensure Cal U's success long into the future."

Jones also received a master's degree from Cal U in 1980.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kenn Marshall | 717.720.4045 | kmarshall@passhe.edu