Leadership changes approved for Penn College

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Board of Directors has approved actions involving two members of President’s Cabinet.

Following the retirement announcement of the senior vice president for finance/CFO, the board authorized hiring a vice president for finance/CFO. In response to the director of counseling services retiring – and a subsequent restructuring of campus retention and support efforts – the board approved reclassifying the position of an associate vice president for enrollment & academic operations to vice president for enrollment & academic operations.

With the impending retirement, in May, of Suzanne T. Stopper, the board approved the hiring of Jon A. Nichols as vice president for finance/CFO. Nichols has served as executive director of finance/controller since April 2023.

“Approving the leadership transition now, which will take effect near the date of Suzanne’s retirement, allows the college to begin aggressively searching for a controller/CPA to replace the responsibilities that Jon will be vacating, helping to make this important transition as seamless as possible,” said President Michael J. Reed.

Having taken on additional supervisory responsibilities related to counseling services and comprehensive retention efforts, Anthony J. Pace has been promoted from associate vice president to vice president for enrollment & academic operations. That promotion in rank takes effect immediately.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our team’s efforts,” Reed said. “Enrollment is up 6% from last year – and 8% from two years ago – and our overall graduate-placement rate is nearly 98%.

“Knocking down silos to enhance collaboration between faculty and admissions and building out a comprehensive retention support network that includes counseling and inclusion efforts will best meet the needs of students, mission and team – which, in turn, will allow us to best serve our industry partners.”

“I was pleased to make recommendations to the board for these actions, which will help to ensure strong and sustainable financial, recruitment and retention leadership at Penn College,” Reed continued. “Anthony’s promotion in rank acknowledges his expanded responsibilities in enrollment and academic operations, and Jon is an ideal choice to succeed Suzanne, who has served the college with distinction for nearly two decades.”

Other positions Pace has held at Penn College include dean of enrollment & academic operations, dean of academic operations, assistant dean of academic operations, director of student engagement, director of student activities, and assistant director of student activities for student organizations and orientation.

Before joining Penn College, he served as student life coordinator and FYRST (First Year Residents Succeeding Together) program coordinator at Lycoming College.

Pace holds a master’s degree in student services administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science, both from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is a 2019 graduate of Leadership Lycoming. His community and professional affiliations include Lycoming County United Way, board member; and AIDS Resource Board of Directors, vice president.

Before joining Penn College, Nichols was chief financial officer at First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania and senior manager, manager, senior accountant and staff accountant at Baker Tilly US LLP.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in supply chain management and information systems from Penn State and is a certified public accountant in Pennsylvania. He is a 2013 graduate of Leadership Lycoming.

Nichols’ community and professional affiliations include Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation Board, member; The Park Home, member; Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, treasurer (2016–22); Williamsport Area Little League, treasurer (2021–24); Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, past president of Northcentral Chapter; and Lock Haven University Business Administration and Accounting Advisory Board, member (2017–22).

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