ESU History, Governance, and Leadership

History

East Stroudsburg Normal School opened its doors on September 4, 1893. A faculty of 15 greeted a group of 320 students who had entered the two-year programs in elementary and science education. Although the Normal School was originally privately owned, ownership was transferred to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1920, and the name was changed to East Stroudsburg State Normal School.

In 1927, the right to confer the degrees of Bachelor of Science in education and Bachelor of Science in health education was granted, and the school's name then became the State Teachers College at East Stroudsburg. In 1960, the college's name was changed to East Stroudsburg State College. In 1962, the college received the right to confer graduate degrees, and the first three graduate areas were Master of Education in biological sciences, general science, and health and physical education. In 1963, the college instituted a Bachelor of Arts degree, and in 1969, the first Master of Arts programs, in history and political science, were approved. In November 1982, the State System of Higher Education was authorized by Senate Bill 506. The college officially became East Stroudsburg University on July 1, 1983.

Governance

ESU operates under the leadership of an institutional president who reports directly to the Chancellor of the State System. The Chancellor reports to the Board of Governors (BOG). ESU is governed by a Council of Trustees, consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor, including one undergraduate student. At least two members of the Council of Trustees are alumni of the institution. Among their many duties, the trustees are responsible for making recommendations to the chancellor for the appointment and dismissal of the president and to approve the university budget, new academic programs, contracts and fees other than tuition.

University Leadership

Kenneth Long, M.B.A., was appointed to serve as the interim president of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania by the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, effective July 31, 2020.

Long earned his bachelor’s degree in math and political science from Drew University in Madison, N.J. and an M.B.A. from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J. He has experience teaching courses in business administration, financial accounting and managerial accounting and has made presentations at a number of regional and national meetings and conferences. Long is currently the co-chair of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s Budget Team and an Executive Board Member and Treasurer of the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers (EACUBO). Long brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education to this interim post.

Margaret J. Ball, is the Interim Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and serves as the University's Chief Academic Officer. Dr. Ball provides leadership in fulfilling the University's strategic directions: academic excellence, student learning, service, diversity, expanded resources, and a positive campus climate.

Mary Frances Postupack was appointed vice president of economic development and research support in 2007. She manages the ESU division of Research and Economic Development (RED) which includes an award-winning Business Accelerator Program, the Office of Workforce Development, Entrepreneurial Leadership Center, Office of Sponsored Projects and Research, Schisler Museum & McMunn Planetarium and University Advancement. She has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of education, business, and community and economic development.

Colleges

• College of Arts and Sciences
  Dean, Nieves Gruneiro-Roadcap, M.F.A.
• College of Business and Management
  Dean, Sylvester Williams, J.D.
• College of Education
  Dean, Brooke Langan, Ed.D.
• College of Health Sciences
  Interim Dean, Chad Witmer, Ph.D.

Campuses

ESU offers select programs (geared towards adult transfer and graduate students) at additional locations including its Lehigh Valley Center, and Northampton Community College. Programs at additional locations are typically offered in accelerated, flexible, year-round formats to meet the needs of working adults pursing undergraduate and graduate degrees.