The Brandywine campus of Pennsylvania State University recently appointed Marilyn Wells as chancellor following the retirement of former Chancellor Kristin Woolever last July.

Wells was chosen to be the new chancellor after a lengthy interviewing process, which included student-led forums with potential candidates.

Wells was born in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area to first-generation American parents. Growing up Wells’ parents were very steadfast in wanting Wells and her brother to attend college.

Wells said, “My mom and dad were also very hardworking but they saw the key to a better life was an education. They believed that with every fiber of their being.”

When it was time to go off to college, Wells chose to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she received a bachelor’s degree in home economics.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Wells went on to work in the food industry where she managed a restaurant. Eventually, Wells went back to school to get a master’s degree, and her love for education led to her pursuing a doctorate as well.

When asked what made her go back to school after leaving the restaurant industry, she said, “The answer to any question is education.”

Wells credits her parents’ belief in education being the key to a better life as a big reason as to why both her brother and her went on to receive advanced degrees. Her mother, in particular, was a staunch supporter of her and always encouraged her to pursue her dreams.

Wells said, “I was never told I couldn’t do anything because I was a girl.”

As a professional, Wells has worked in eight different states. Due to her time spent in different regions of the United States as a professional, she has a wide-ranging perspective on the ways geography can impact local culture.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking. One of her favorite foods is pierogis, which is a type of food related to her Slovak ethnic background.

“I grew up in a family where food was love,” Wells said.

During her first visit to Brandywine in October 2019, she said one of her first impressions was how “stunningly beautiful” the campus is.

“I was very impressed by the warmth of the faculty, the staff and the students,” Wells said.

Wells was particularly impressed by the turnout at the forum where students were able to interview the chancellor candidates directly.

The new chancellor has many goals and visions for her time at Brandywine. She highlighted being able to grow enrollment and aiding students in completing their degrees at a good rate.

“One of our challenges for many of our students is that they’re doing well academically…but the financial barriers are challenging for them,” Wells said.

She is particularly concerned with students leaving the university without a degree or in significant debt. The financial aspect of college is something she is passionate about working on, with the goal of helping students graduate.

Among other things, she discussed the potential of adding more residence halls, moving to Division III athletics, adding academic programs and improving facilities on campus.

“One of the things that attracted me to Brandywine is there has been important growth and achievements,” she said.

Wells said that one thing that keeps her “real” is that she has a daughter who is currently in college so she is able to see some of the difficulties students face firsthand.

Dr. Wells’ leadership and experience look to pave a clear path to Brandywine’s future.

Lion’s Eye Staff Editor

William Copeland, wkc6@psu.edu