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Chancellor's Office

Ron Darbeau

Dr. Ron W. Darbeau assumed the role of Chancellor of Penn State Altoona in January 2023. As Chancellor, Darbeau serves as the college's chief academic and administrative officer.

Before coming to Penn State Altoona, Darbeau served as vice president for faculty affairs and academic operations at Commonwealth University, the integrated institution of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities that was established in July 2022. There, he served on the president's cabinet and provided leadership for faculty affairs for four campuses of approximately 13,000 students and 800 faculty. He oversaw graduate education and sponsored research, institutional effectiveness and institutional research, libraries, the Clearfield branch campus of Lock Haven University (LHU), and workforce development. He joined LHU as provost and vice president for academic affairs in July 2020.

Prior to LHU, he served as interim dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Arkansas—Fort Smith for the 2019-20 academic year and as dean of the university’s former College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics and the School of Education from 2015 to 2020.

His academic career began at McNeese State University in 1996, where he was head of the Department of Chemistry and Physics for the last twelve years of his tenure.

A physical organic chemist, Darbeau has secured more than $2 million in grants for research, research training, infrastructure, and student aid. He has published dozens of peer-reviewed papers and has mentored over eighty undergraduate and graduate students—many of whom are co-authors of his publications.

A fellow of the American Chemical Society, he is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and serves, or has served, on many committees, councils, and boards at the local, state, and national levels—including current appointments with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Regional Advisory Council and the Board of Trustees of Arkansas Colleges of Health Education.

A native of Trinidad and Tobago, Darbeau holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in chemistry from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus, and both master’s and doctoral degrees in organic chemistry from Johns Hopkins University.

Chancellor's Office

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Chancellor's Office

E107 Smith Building
814-949-5012

HOURS
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

WTAJ-TV Interview with Chancellor Ron Darbeau

WTAJ-TV Interview with Penn State Altoona Chancellor Ron Darbeau

WTAJ-TV Interview with Penn State Altoona Chancellor Ron Darbeau

Pennsylvania map showing Penn State's campuses with Penn State Altoona highlighted

Penn State Altoona

A full-service, four-year, residential campus located less than 45 miles from the research campus at University Park. Offering 21 four-year degrees and the first two years of over 275 Penn State majors.
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Give Visit Apply
  • This is Penn State Altoona
    • Welcome from the Chancellor
    • Penn State Altoona At a Glance
    • Mission, Vision, and Values
    • College Leadership
    • Our History
    • Campus Map
    • Current Weather Conditions
    • Livestream
  • Academics
    • Majors
    • Academic Calendar
    • Out-of-Class Learning
    • Eiche Library
    • Registrar
    • Academic Advising
    • Honors Program
    • Campus Closures
  • Admissions
    • Visit Us
    • Information for First-Year Students
    • How to Apply
    • Accepted Students
    • Find Your Admissions Counselor
    • Experience Altoona
    • Virtual Tour
  • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Scholarships and Awards
    • Grants
    • Loans
    • Work-study
    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Tuition and Costs
    • Financial Aid Information
  • Student Success
    • Student Success Center
    • The Help Tool
    • Tutoring
    • Student Affairs
    • Student and Civic Engagement
    • Health and Wellness Center
    • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
    • Safety at Penn State Altoona
    • Career Services
    • Eiche Library
  • Research & Engagement
    • Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
    • Faculty Research Resources
    • Internships
    • Study Abroad/Study Away
    • Internal Grants and Awards
  • Athletics
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    • Facilities
    • Recreation and Club Sports
    • Staff and Coaches Directory
    • Athletic Training and Sports Physicals
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3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16601 814-949-5000

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