'An honor and a privilege’: Penn State Schuylkill chancellor reflects on time at campus

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — In the past five years, Penn State Schuylkill has bucked national trends by increasing its enrollment and retention rate.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence that those changes happened almost concurrently with the tenure of Chancellor Patrick M. Jones, who is stepping down from his post at the end of June.

Jones, who was appointed chancellor in January 2019, looks back fondly on the opportunities he was given at the university as he prepares to take over a new job as president of Bucks County Community College.

While many of its fellow commonwealth campuses have struggled with enrollment, Schuylkill has seen positive trends since the 2018-19 school year. Those changes, Jones said, include a 6.7% increase in student headcount, a 5.4% increase in first-year retention and a 7.8% increase in four-year graduation rates.

Jones said that other branch campuses, as well as universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, have seen their enrollment decline in recent years.

“The commonwealth campuses are down in enrollment overall,” he said. “We’ve bucked that trend.”

Penn State Schuylkill had enrolled 659 students as of the fall semester, not including those from other Penn State branch campuses or World Campus who take online classes through Schuylkill.

“Since fall 2018, we’re up 6.7% in headcount,” Jones said, “which is just really great, especially in an era where most places are struggling. I’m really proud of that.”

Jones, 60, who announced his decision to step down in March, said it was “just time” to move on after his five-year tenure at Penn State Schuylkill. He believes the large number of positive changes to the campus over his chancellorship will bode well for his eventual successor.

“This campus is an integral part of Schuylkill County” he said, “and it has been an honor and a privilege to steward this campus and strengthen it.”

‘High-impact practices’

As chancellor, Jones oversaw the development of critical initiatives, such as the co-op program and the Zuber-Slocum Academic Success Program, which he credits toward helping the growing enrollment trends.

“Our Zuber-Slocum Academic Success Program is a one-of-a-kind that’s being looked at to be copied through all of Penn State,” Jones said. “It provides academic coaching for all students.”

He also said the degree programs, tutoring and overall academics have been as strong as ever throughout his tenure. About 19% of students conduct research outside of class, Jones said, which helps them engage with faculty members.

“All those high-impact practices help students become more academically successful, helps with retention, helps with graduation rates,” Jones said.

According to the university, about 57% of Schuylkill’s student population are first-generation college students, while 43% are Pell-eligible and 14% are from out of state.

About 42% of students opt for the 2+2 Plan, meaning they start their first two years at the campus and then transfer to University Park or another campus for their last two years.

The university also includes some alumni who went on to attend medical and law school, Jones said.

Top majors at the campus include biology, business, human development and family studies, nursing, information technology and psychology.

“The students are just amazing,” Jones said. “That’s why we’re here. … Whether it’s from the academic or the research or the professional side, job preparation, right out into the workforce, we’re really doing well on all fronts, and I’m just really proud of the work at the campus.”

Back to home region

Jones, a member of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce board of directors, thanked the campus’s advisory board, the community and elected officials for their support of the university over the years.

Jones was previously the assistant vice president for academic affairs and online learning at Drexel University.

Originally a music teacher, he holds a bachelor of science in music education from West Chester University, a diploma of fine arts in conducting and wind literature from the University of Calgary, a master’s degree in conducting from George Mason University and a doctorate in music education from Penn State.

He is also a 30-year military veteran and a graduate of the Armed Forces School of Music. He served his first three years in the military full time, shortly after high school, and spent the remainder of his service in the Air National Guard.

Jones will take over as president of Bucks County Community College on July 1. The college comprises three campuses in Newtown, Perkasie and Bristol.

Jones looks forward to returning to his home region to begin the “exciting new opportunity.” He said a search for his replacement as Penn State Schuylkill chancellor will begin shortly.

“We’ve accomplished a lot at Penn State Schuylkill in the last five years,” he said, “and the campus is in great shape. It’s a good time for a new person to come in.”