Bio

Kenneth Long was appointed president of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania by the Board of Governors for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, effective November 2, 2022, after serving more than two years as the interim president. Long brings more than 35 years of progressive experience in higher education to the position. Prior to the interim appointment, which began July 31, 2020, Long served as the university’s chief administrative, financial, and operations officer. Among his many accomplishments at ESU, he has been responsible for: stabilizing the University’s financial condition; increasing the University cash reserves and reducing capital debt; lowering costs and increasing availability and access to student health services by partnering with a regional medical center; initiating the university’s first academic space utilization study; enhanced campus accessibility; coordinated the development of an athletic master plan and upgrading athletic facilities, including adding air conditioning and a generator in Koehler Fieldhouse, painting and branding Eiler-Martin Stadium, replacing the turf for all outdoor sports, and partnering with the local municipality and little league for baseball and softball facilities; coordinating the construction of a new student housing building which included a new counseling and testing centers and the offices of the Dean of Student, Student Conduct, Accessibility Services and Title IX; and facilitated the land development plans for a new student center.

Prior to joining ESU, Long held leadership positions at two other Pennsylvania State System institutions, Kutztown and Cheyney universities. He served five years as assistant vice president of administration and finance at Kutztown University and during that time he worked six months as interim vice president for finance and administration at Cheyney University, in a loaned executive capacity. Long has served on a number of taskforce, committees and workgroups over his 14 years in the State System, including: Tuition Alignment Committee, System Appropriation Funding Review Committee, State of PA 529 Advisory Board, co-chaired the State System Budget and ESU Sports Alignment Taskforces, and Kutztown University General Education Committee.

Prior to coming to the Pennsylvania State System, Long held multiple leadership positions at the University of Toledo and University of Toledo Physician Practice Group and played an instrumental role in the merger of the University of Toledo with the Medical University of Ohio. Long started his career in higher education at DeVry University – New Jersey where he worked for 18 years beginning as an assistant director of the office student accounts working his way to the chief administrative and financial position of the New Jersey campus. As one the most senior administrative and financial officers in the northeast region, Long assisted with the opening and staffing of DeVry locations in New York, Florida, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

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 college courses in business administration, financial accounting, and managerial accounting and statistics, and during his career has made numerous presentations at regional and national meetings and conferences. In 2013, Long was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers (EACUBO) and in 2017 he was selected as the association’s treasurer, which he served until he was appointed ESU’s president in 2022. While serving as interim president of ESU, Long was selected to serve as the chairperson of the PASSHE Freedom of Speech and Title VI Task Group and President Liaison for PASSHE Board of Governor’s Governance Committee, a role he continues to hold.

Long is married to Evelyn and has three daughters, Alysha, Peyton, and Taylor.