HARRISBURG, PA. (WENY) -- Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education's Board of Governors chose a new leader to serve as the head of Commonwealth controlled universities Thursday.

Dr. Christopher Fiorentino was named Chancellor after a nine-month-long national search, according to the state owned school system.

Fiorentino was originally appointed as the interim Chancellor for PASSHE after the previous Chancellor, Dr. Daniel Greenstein, stepped down last October.

“I am honored and excited to serve the tremendous students, faculty, staff and university leaders across our PASSHE universities,” said Fiorentino. “For generations, these public universities have provided the education and critical thinking skills that open doors of opportunity and change lives. We remain as committed as ever to our mission of providing a high-quality, high-value education."

Fiorentino previously served as President of West Chester University until June of 2024. He started his career as an assistant professor of economics there.

“Dr. Fiorentino is the right person at the right time to lead PASSHE into the future, ensuring our forward momentum and upward trajectory,” said Dr. Cynthia Shapira, Board Chair of PASSHE.

Fiorentino will be PASSHE’s sixth chancellor.