Two Named to Administrative Posts at Penn College

Eugene M. McAvoy has been named dean of academic services and first year programs at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

McAvoy, who had served as assistant dean of integrated studies-programs for a year, will be succeeded in that position by Joanna K. Pruden. He also had been an assistant professor of English composition at the college for six years and department head for media arts in the School of Integrated Studies.

A recipient of the college's Excellence in Teaching Award in 2007, McAvoy has served as chair of College Council for the college's Internal Governance system.

In addition to his experience in higher education, he brings to the position almost 20 years of experience in military and corporate training and training administration.

McAvoy earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of the State of New York, Regents College (now known as Excelsior College) in 1994 with a double emphasis in literature in English and sociology and a minor in nuclear reactor technology. He completed his Master of Fine Arts in creative writing in 1999 at Old Dominion University, where he also served as an instructor of English from 1999 to 2003. While at ODU, he received the 2002-03 Teletechnet (distance learning) Teacher of the Year Award.

"Eugene is the ideal individual for this leadership position," said Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour. "He is student-centered, an excellent faculty member and understands the key fundamentals of why the first year is so vital to students' success. He brings a wealth of experience and vision to this initiative."

As dean of academic services and first year programs, McAvoy will be responsible primarily for coordinating first year programs and support activities, as well as assisting with the implementation and assessment of other recommendations made in conjunction with the Foundations of Excellence initiative at the college.

Prior to her appointment as assistant dean of integrated studies-programs, Pruden served as director of mathematics and general education in the School of Integrated Studies at Penn College.

Pruden has also been an assistant professor of mathematics. Joining the faculty at Penn College in 2003, she became department head of mathematics in 2008. She has teaching experience at Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami and at the University of Miami's School of Business.

She holds a Master of Science in operations research/applied statistics and earned a Bachelor of Arts with a double emphasis in political science and economics and a minor in management science from the University of Miami.

"Joanna is an energetic leader who is dedicated to Penn College," said Clifford P. Coppersmith, dean of integrated studies. "I am grateful she has agreed to take on this new role."

For more information about Penn College, visit online , e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.