The Vision of a New Trustee
Members of Penn State's board in 2025 and into 2026 will face significant challenges including declining enrollments, demographic shifts, and financial pressures. These challenges are what compelled me to run for the board. I am confident that my diverse executive background will allow me to be of broad value to the board and specific value when diving into any one of the following pressing priorities.
Addressing Commonwealth Campus Challenges
Penn State President, Neeli Bendapudi, recently addressed challenges impacting Penn State’s Commonwealth Campus ecosystem. The board and administration will need to balance the financial reality with our land-grant mission. Penn State must continue to make a Penn State education accessible across the Commonwealth and contribute to Pennsylvania's economic opportunity. It will be important to assist impacted staff in identifying reassignment opportunities, and by providing career transition assistance for faculty and staff. I have navigated similar business challenges in my professional career and would like to help Penn State with my operational and finance expertise and experience as a compassionate HR leader.
Transformative Journey and Strategic Priorities
I am enthusiastic about the plans for Penn State’s transformative journey to update its higher education model, focusing on the following five main strategic priorities:
Investing in its people
Building future resources
Fostering research excellence
Enhancing academic achievement
Ensuring operational efficiency
I agree with administration's intention to put students at the center of every decision, ensuring their needs and aspirations drive the university's direction. The economic and higher education environments are dynamic, and we need a modern infrastructure that appropriately leverages technology to foster collaboration and efficiency. This will allow students and faculty to focus on strategic learning and exciting research outcomes. I have helped companies modernize their processes and operations with facilitating technologies and look forward to an opportunity to leverage this experience in helping Penn State transform. (https://roadmap.psu.edu/transforming-our-university/)
University Employer of Choice
I believe that being an employer of choice for faculty and staff will influence Penn State's ability to achieve all other goals. If given the opportunity to serve on the Penn State Board of Trustees, I would like to engage in this area, leveraging my experience in leading human resources. We must provide an environment where our employees thrive and reach their full potential. Career development must be a focal point. Understanding our faculty’s aspirations and proactively supporting their goals is foundational to Penn State’s sustainable success and growth as a recognized leader in academics and research. Recent unionization efforts among Penn State’s faculty highlight their concerns. I will advocate for consistent processes to receive employee input, evaluate outcomes, and assess priorities and investments. Employees must feel valued, stable in their employment, and influential in their careers.
Athletics and NIL
I am proud of our achievements in athletics and enjoy cheering on our programs. Living in State College allows me to regularly attend games. The rapid transformation in college athletics is unprecedented. Our success in athletics is a defining aspect of the experience for many students and alumni. We must invest to compete like never before. The Beaver Stadium renovations are essential for maintaining our football program's success. The stadium experience must meet the expectations of top talent and accommodate the needs of Penn State football’s devoted alumni and fan base. Significant funding and effective fundraising efforts are required. Additionally, the financial impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), new scholarship caps, and increased travel budgets will profoundly impact our 31 Division I sports programs. We must address plans to attract and retain top talent and fund these programs. My personal connection through my sons’ D1 athletics experience at Penn State led me to engage with the university early on NIL. I recruited and currently lead the NIL advisory board for Penn State Hockey. This university priority is near and dear to my heart, and I hope to contribute to our success in this new era of college athletics as a trustee.
Greek Community and Social Organizations
Another area where I seek to make an impact is improving university relations with the Greek community and other social organizations. For many students and alumni, social affiliations are synonymous with their Penn State experience. Many of my closest friends are my fraternity brothers; we have raised our families together and many of our children have attended Penn State. These organizations are crucial to Penn State’s vibrant campus culture. Social affiliations offer diverse opportunities for students to find a home while enjoying the benefits of a big college experience. By engaging these groups through collaborative initiatives and open communication, the university can uplift the organizations, inspiring them to create safer and more inclusive environments. These affiliations enrich the college experience and establish ties that keep alumni engaged and supporting Penn State. I believe there is untapped potential to reconnect with alumni and garner unprecedented alumni support for the student community and university.
Remembering the Past and Leading into the Future
Recent announcements by the University, including the Board of Trustees' approval to rename the field at Beaver Stadium, have been met with mixed feelings. As a result, the board must ensure the Werzyn Family and West Shore Homes' very generous gift receives proper recognition. During the deliberations on the naming of the field, there was a discussion led by numerous Trustees' with a desire to respectfully honor Sue and Joe Paterno's Penn State legacy. Joe Paterno, our legendary football coach significantly shaped our football program and our university. The Paternos' contributions go way beyond those made on the gridiron. They are philanthropists and have been committed to our students' education and Penn State's academic and research excellence. They are committed to all student-athletes' success on and off the field. I have personally heard so many individuals share stories of how their lives were impacted by the Joe Paterno and the Paterno Family. I support the efforts to recognize the Paterno Family's contributions to Penn State and will work diligently with the Board, the University and the Paterno Family to find the most meaningful way to celebrate Joe, Sue, and their family's unparalleled Penn State legacy.
Greg Pilewicz
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