Anthony Atchley will serve as the acting dean of the College of Engineering beginning August 15, the university announced Monday. This comes as the former dean, Justin Schwartz, transitions into the role of Penn State’s interim executive vice president and provost.

Atchley, who has been with Penn State since 1997, is currently the senior associate dean of the College of Engineering. Previously, he served as associate dean beginning in 2008 before gaining the “senior” title in 2014.

“Anthony has been a tireless advocate for the college and an invaluable partner for me since I arrived at Penn State in 2017,” Schwartz said. “I have depended on his council, deep institutional knowledge, wisdom and friendship, and I know Anthony will step into this role not simply as a caretaker but as a leader who will continue to pursue the college’s strategic priorities.”

Atchley originally came to Penn State to lead the graduate program in acoustics, and he still serves as a professor of acoustics to this day. Additionally, he is responsible for co-chairing two COVID-19 response subcommittees amid the pandemic.

“I am honored to build upon the leadership shown by Dean Schwartz since he arrived at Penn State in 2017 and to continue advancing the college as we build a more equitable and inclusive academic community in engineering,” Atchley said. “From our facilities transformation now underway at University Park, to record levels of interest and demand among prospective engineering students, to a research enterprise that continues to reach new heights for impact and expenditures, the college is well positioned for the future.”

Before arriving in Happy Valley, Atchley chaired the Naval Postgraduate School’s Physics Department. Schwartz noted that the College of Engineering “could not be in better hands” during this transitional period.

Schwartz is transitioning into his new role as interim executive vice president and provost after the announcement that current provost Nick Jones will step down on August 15. Jones has held the position since 2013.