Sophia Wisniewska will leave her position as head of Pennsylvania State University’s Brandywine campus to assume the role of USF St. Petersburg’s new regional chancellor on July 1.
Wisniewska, 61, was one of 74 candidates for the position. In an email to USFSP students and faculty, USF President Judy Genshaft, who had the final say in appointing a chancellor, said she believes Wisniewska “has the experience and vision to continue the tremendous progress we have witnessed at USF St. Petersburg.”
In a phone interview on March 21, Wisniewska said she will spend her first few months on campus drafting a strategic plan that will serve as the blueprint for the next five years.
Having only visited the campus a few times and living more than 1,000 miles away, the Russian language and literature scholar knows she’ll have her work cut out when she takes over. She plans to read up on Florida government and politics while taking time to get to know students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community.
Wisniewska is aware of USFSP’s growing business school and supports the idea of a new building for the College of Business. But before making any big decisions, she said she will need to learn about all the risks and opportunities of the expansion.
In her new position, Wisniewska will oversee a student population nearly three times as large as PSU Brandywine’s. She said she hopes she won’t require too much training.
Along with 30 years of experience in higher education, Wisniewska plans to bring her “energy and enthusiasm” to USFSP. She has previously described herself to The Crow’s Nest as a Pink Floyd nut and health enthusiast.
She is most looking forward to building on the strengths of the institution and getting to know the students. She hopes student organizations will invite her to their meetings and events to help her get to know everyone.
Wisniewska said she has had an “open-door policy” in each of her previous jobs, at PSU and Temple University Ambler. She said USFSP students will always know where to find her.
Something as simple as walking into the cafeteria yields a lot of helpful information about the students, she said — an ideal she shares with Interim Regional Chancellor Bill Hogarth, who gained popularity through his frequent visits to the Reef.
Once a year at PSU, Wisniewska held an open forum with no agenda in which she asked students what changes they’d like to see on campus. She also sat down with Student Government leaders at the beginning of each semester to discuss their goals and how to accomplish them. The incoming chancellor said USFSP students can expect the same courtesies from her in the fall.
- Sophia Wisniewska
