Penn State names chancellor for its Greater Allegheny campus

A chemist who has focused on endeavors such as student success and improved health care access in McKeesport has been chosen as Penn State Greater Allegheny’s new chancellor, the university announced Thursday.

Along with her other qualifications, Megan Nagel already has been doing the job in an interim capacity since June 2022.

Her permanent appointment is effective Jan. 1. She also will carry the title of chief academic officer.

University officials call her a good fit for the sort of outreach that Penn State branches are intended to offer.

“She has a deep appreciation for the role our campuses play in fulfilling Penn State’s land-grant mission,” Margo DelliCarpini, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor, said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “While serving in the interim role, she established collaborative relationships with regional leaders and businesses.”

Her campus faces enrollment pressures similar to those at other public university branches in Pennsylvania and beyond. As of the fall, Penn State Greater Allegheny enrolled 361 students — less than half the 768 students it had in 2010.

Nagel was not available for comment Thursday.

A news release about the appointment quotes her as saying:

“I recognize the value of Penn State’s presence in southwestern Pennsylvania. I look forward to exploring new and innovative ways the campus can fulfill its land-grant mission, while continuing to offer a world-class Penn State education in the Mon Valley.”

She succeeds former Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Jacqueline Edmondson, who left for the presidency at the University of Southern Maine.

Nagel came to to Penn State Greater Allegheny in 2010 as an assistant professor of chemistry, received tenure and became associate professor of chemistry in 2018. She became the campus’ associate chief academic officer in July 2020.

Her research experience includes work on a National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Undergraduate Education grant to understand and improve reasoning in chemistry and physics, officials said. She has worked on various student success initiatives.

Currently, Nagel is working with the city of McKeesport, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and community groups to build a citywide strategy to address chronic diseases, food security and health care access as part of a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nagel received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Slippery Rock University and her doctorate in chemistry from Penn State in 2006, according to Penn State.