Spotlight On: Gary Liguori, Chancellor, Penn State Abington
September 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Gary Liguori, chancellor of Penn State Abington, discussed new campus developments, student engagement initiatives, workforce alignment, and the future of higher education, emphasizing, “we must be an integral part of the community and educate not just for the sake of education, but to make the world around us better.”
What have been the significant milestones and achievements for Penn State Abington since you arrived in July 2024?
The biggest development is the construction of a new academic building — the first new building of any kind on campus in more than 50 years. It is a transformational project that will change the dynamic of campus life.
Alongside the building, we are rolling out new academic programs and enhancing existing ones. A full level of the building will feature innovative space, intentionally blending engineering and art to foster creativity.
We are also building on one of our greatest strengths: diversity. Penn State Abington has a majority-minority student population, reflecting a wide range of socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds. That diversity is a major point of pride, and we are committed to supporting every student in achieving their goals.
What immediate priorities did you identify upon taking the role, and how are you addressing them?
There are three immediate priorities. First is stabilizing our staff and ensuring they are supported. After a recent voluntary buyout, staffing shifts created challenges we continue to address to ensure the right people are in the right roles.
The second is enhancing student success. Although we perform well, there is always room for growth. We are launching initiatives to deepen student engagement and create formal mechanisms to celebrate involvement and build a stronger sense of community.
The third is responding to workforce needs. We are revising academic programs to better align with the local job market across several counties. With many students coming from Philadelphia County, we aim to help them find meaningful employment in their home communities.
What trends are you seeing in student expectations around career readiness and real-world applications of their education, and how is Abington responding?
Students today recognize more than ever that gaining experience outside the classroom is crucial for career success. Abington already has a strong history of career and professional development, and we are working to elevate that even further.
Within the Abington experience, two major focus areas are internships and experiential learning. These look different across disciplines, but the goal is to expose students early to the types of work environments they may enter after graduation. By formalizing these opportunities under the Abington experience, we are creating a culture where students are motivated to participate and see it as a key part of their success.
Two other components of the Abington experience are embedded travel and faculty-mentored research. Both align with the goals of hands-on learning and workforce preparation. Research, for example, could involve anything from writing publishable poetry to exploring cancer mitigation at the cellular level, depending on the student’s discipline.
What challenges is higher education facing and how are you strategizing to navigate potential headwinds?
The challenges are getting more complex every day. It is no secret that in 2025, there is growing public questioning of the value of higher education, especially from those outside the academic community. However, when looking at the trajectory of our nation and the world, the value of higher education is clear. It fosters innovation at a level that has allowed America to be a global leader in research and innovation.
At Penn State Abington, this means working closely with local employers and elected officials to demonstrate how we contribute to the workforce and community. Higher education has sometimes struggled with the perception of being an “ivory tower,” removed from everyday life. I believe we must be an integral part of the community and educate not just for the sake of education, but to make the world around us better.
To overcome challenges, we must be nimble and responsive to the needs around us. We have to work hand in hand with employers and legislators, asking what they need and how we can contribute. We cannot do everything, but we can make meaningful contributions.
Storytelling is also important. We serve a lower-income student population, and I relate to that personally, as a first-generation, low-income student myself. Higher education transformed my life. If we can do that for even one student, the ripple effect is enormous. At Abington, nearly 1,000 of our 3,000 students are from Philadelphia County. If we can help change the trajectory for those students and their families, the impact on the community would be significant.
We must ensure that people see the value of higher education locally, in their neighborhoods, and recognize that it truly makes a difference.
How is Penn State Abington responding to technological changes, especially with the rapid growth of AI?
We are responding both in tangible and more passive ways. This year, we are launching a new major in Data Sciences to directly address economic needs and workforce opportunities. We already draw significant interest in our STEM majors and are working to strengthen those programs further.
The biggest development is the rise of AI. Hardly a day goes by without conversations about what we should be doing around it. While it can feel overwhelming, this pattern is not new. Every major technology shift, from the internet to PowerPoint, has followed a similar trajectory. Initially, there is hesitation, but over time, these tools become fundamental. I expect AI will follow the same path.
The responsibility for higher education, and for Abington specifically, is to ensure our graduates understand the technology needs of the workforce. Students must have at least a basic understanding of AI to be competitive. Ten years from now, we will likely laugh at how novel it seemed today, just as we do now about early PowerPoint presentations.
Data science and AI are embedded in nearly every discipline. The depth of knowledge required varies, but students must be prepared. That is why we emphasize internships, faculty-led research, and experiential learning to build a portfolio that prepares students to step confidently into their careers.
What excites you most about the future of higher education, and what role will institutions like Abington play in shaping that future?
Higher education remains a foundational framework for our country. Most research, innovation, and medical advances originate within higher education institutions. On a local level, institutions like Abington have a significant impact as well. Every day, about 2,000 people — faculty, staff, and students — contribute to the local economy, supporting businesses and services in the area. Beyond that, local employers consistently seek out our graduates to strengthen their workforces.
Philadelphia is a highly competitive market with dozens of higher education institutions. However, Penn State’s brand is globally recognized and respected. It is important that we live up to that reputation. Employers that hire Abington graduates believe we do, and it is a critical part of our mission to continue meeting those high standards.
While higher education faces national challenges and criticisms, I am confident it will endure. Not every institution may look the same after these shifts, but Penn State is strong. Our goal at Abington is to become even more visible and impactful in the Philadelphia region, ensuring our students can stay, contribute, and thrive here.
What steps are you taking to grow Abington’s presence and visibility in the Philadelphia market?
We are focused on increasing awareness of who we are and the role we play. Many people associate Penn State with University Park and State College, but Abington offers something unique and vital here in Philadelphia.
We attract a diverse student population, which is a tremendous asset, especially for employers looking to diversify their workforces. We also serve a large number of lower-income students and create life-changing opportunities for many families.
Our campus is highly accessible, with excellent public transportation options. Students can easily travel from anywhere in the city to our campus, and we help bridge any remaining gaps in transportation.
We believe we offer an affordable, supportive, and high-quality education. When people visit our campus, they often note that our commitment to student success is not just part of our culture, it is embedded in our DNA. We want every student to know they belong here and can succeed.
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