Yvonne Gaudelius, vice president and dean for Undergraduate Education, will step down after two years in the role, the university announced Friday. Gaudelius’ departure is effective June 30, and she will return as a faculty member in the School of Visual Arts.

“It truly has been an honor and a privilege to provide leadership for the 15 units of undergraduate education and share in all the work that those in undergraduate education collaboratively do in support of undergraduate student access and success,” Gaudelius said in a release.

Gaudelius has worked at Penn State for 30 years — 20 of which were in a leadership position.

Gaudelius assumed her current position in March 2021 after a brief stint as interim vice president and dean. She coordinated enrollment management and planning across all Penn State campuses and registrar and student aid services for nearly 100,000 students receiving financial aid. She also was in charge of programming for orientation programs and undergraduate research experiences.

Notably, Gaudelius was an integral part of the development of the remote synchronous instructional mode, which will be an option in the fall semester.

“We are extremely grateful for Yvonne’s contributions and service to Penn State — not just in this role, but throughout her three decades with the University,” Justin Schwartz, executive vice president and provost, said. “We’re pleased she has chosen to remain on the faculty so our campus community can continue to benefit from her insight and experience as a champion of the student experience and student success throughout her career.”

Gaudelius’ departure comes just months after former Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims stepped down in January. Andrea Dowhower is serving as interim vice president.