Penn State Berks names new chancellor

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Wyomissing-based Penn State Berks has a new chancellor. 

Radha Pyati, who took the post as chancellor and dean July 1, succeeds George Grant Jr., who was named president of Saginaw Valley State University in December, Penn State Berks said in a statement. 

Pyati joins Penn State Berks from West Chester University, where she served as the dean for the College of Sciences and Mathematics. She is a researcher and author, award-winning environmentalist, and a leader in STEM education, Penn State Berks said. 

Todd Migliaccio, associate dean of academic affairs at Penn State Berks, has been filling in as interim chancellor. 

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Pyati to Penn State Berks as the new chancellor and dean,” said Kelly Austin, Penn State vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor. “She has a proven track record of success as an educator and academic leader. The faculty, staff and students at Penn State Berks will benefit from her experienced leadership.” 

Pyati understands the mission of the commonwealth campuses, and shares the values of the University, Austin said.  

During her tenure as dean at West Chester University, Pyati led nine departments, 145 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 25 staff and 3,440 students in more than 40 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs.  

Penn State Berks said she oversaw a 13% increase in total majors and supervised a budget of $37 million, including university funds, a foundation portfolio, and $7.5 million in research grants. Pyati also assisted with external relations, being heavily involved with the community, and building partnerships with federal and state legislators. 

“I’m excited to join the Penn State Berks community and to become a part of Penn State. I met some wonderful students, faculty and staff during my visit, and I can’t wait to work with them,” said Pyati. “Elevating student outcomes and the growth of Penn State Berks is an inspiring mission to me.” 

Prior to West Chester, Pyati worked at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida.   

Most recently, she was a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Đà Nẵng in Vietnam. 

Pyati holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Ohio State University and a doctoral degree in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.