New President Named for University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

Robert G. Gregerson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and senior adviser to the provost at Florida Gulf Coast University, has been named president of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, effective July 1, 2019. He succeeds Sharon P. Smith, who has served as president of Pitt–Greensburg since 2007.

Over the past three decades, Gregerson has served in academic leadership positions and professional appointments at large- and medium-sized public universities, as well as an independent liberal arts college.

In his most recent role as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University, he focused his efforts on a successful advancement plan designed to generate longlasting, positive changes to programs, faculty and students. Simultaneously, Gregerson served as acting provost and vice president for academic affairs and then as senior adviser to the provost. In that time, he developed a career and peer mentoring initiative for humanities majors, increased online and hybrid course offerings, strengthened relationships with the Seminole tribe for the school’s archeological and environmental programming, and spearheaded efforts to boost student engagement with college leadership.

“Bob’s dedication to collaboration, community and academic excellence is clear,” said Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher. “I am excited to welcome him to the University of Pittsburgh, and I cannot wait for him to turn his attention and talents toward supporting our Greensburg campus and its success.”   

Formerly, Gregerson was a professor of biology and department head at Armstrong State University, before becoming dean of the College of Science and Technology. While there, he helped launch the health informatics program, added an National Security Agency-approved cybersecurity program, founded the College Advising and Student Success Center, and fostered a curricular redesign to increase online offerings and options for adult learners. Gregerson earlier served as assistant professor of biology, the Willie Dillard Bryan Associate Professor of Biology and chair of the science division at Lyon College. He began his career in higher education as a research geneticist with the University of Minnesota/U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Gregerson credits his experience as a faculty member and administrator with instilling an appreciation for how a diverse mix of liberal arts and professional programs provide a breadth of opportunities for students, as well as the important role regional universities play in meeting the needs of the communities they serve.

“Bob’s dedication to students, faculty and academic programs shines through in the collaborative, strategic planning and development efforts demonstrated in his past appointments,” said Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Ann E. Cudd. “It’s wonderful to see his demonstrated appreciation for the power of personalizing the education experience, and his commitment to diversity and inclusion, which are so much a part of The Plan for Pitt.” 

Gregerson’s area of research is the biology, physiology, molecular biology and genetics of plants — topics on which he is widely published and for which his research is frequently cited. 

He earned his PhD in molecular genetics from the University of Georgia, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and a minor in German from Wabash College.

“The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg combines the power and stature of a major research university with the intimate learning environment and personal attention only possible at a small college,” said Gregerson. “This combination of attributes, along with the potential for further growth and distinction, makes the opportunity to be the next president of Pitt–Greensburg very exciting. I am honored to be selected for this role, and I very much look forward to working with the University community to lead the institution in its next phase of development.”

Pitt–Greensburg, established in 1963, is a four-year liberal arts college in southwestern Pennsylvania with approximately 1,500 full-time and part-time students and more than 10,000 alumni. It offers 29 undergraduate majors, 24 minors, and numerous pre-professional and certificate options.