Colin Neill has been named chancellor, dean, and chief academic officer of Penn State Great Valley, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Neill is assuming the role on a permanent basis after serving as interim chancellor since July.

He succeeds James A. Nemes, who retired last summer.

Neill has been a faculty member at the Great Valley campus since 1999, rising to the rank of professor of software engineering and systems engineering in 2019.

Prior to his role as interim chancellor, Neill served as director of engineering programs and was the academic leader of the engineering division. He oversaw the division’s extensive portfolio of graduate degree programs both on campus at Great Valley and online via Penn State World Campus.

Neill’s success within the engineering division included increasing annual course enrollments. He spearheaded the development of new courses and programs, including a:

• Master of Professional Studies in Data Analytics
• Master of Science in Data Analytics
• Master of Professional Studies in Artificial Intelligence

Neill also sought to improve faculty retention by mentoring faculty and working with the then-chancellor to create mentor-mentee relationships for new faculty.

“Colin has proven he can excel in the role of chancellor through his successful tenure at Great Valley and the numerous initiatives he’s led to contribute to the success of Penn State’s engineering program,” said Kelly Austin, executive chancellor and vice president for Commonwealth Campuses.

“I am excited for Colin to take on this role, and I know Great Valley will be in good hands.”

Neill has taught multiple advanced courses on software and systems engineering during his tenure as a professor. He’s earned multiple awards while at Great Valley, including the:

• 2009 Teaching Excellence Award
• 2006 Distinguished Service Award
• 2005 Distinguished Research Award

Before coming to Penn State, Neill worked on time- and mission-critical systems modeling and design development for the University of Wales Swansea, Oxford University, the Rover Car Co., and British Aerospace.

Neill earned a doctorate in software and systems engineering, a master of science degree in communication systems, and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, all from the University of Wales Swansea in the U.K.

Read more about Penn State Great Valley here.