Bashar Hanna
- Title(s)
- President
- Department
- Education
Ph.D., Developmental Neurobiology — Temple University
M.S., Developmental Biology — Temple University
B.A., Biology — Temple University
- Contact Information
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- University-wide
- Send an Email
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- Bloomsburg
- 570-389-4526
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Carver Hall
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- Lock Haven
- 570-484-2001
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399 Ulmer Hall
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- Mansfield
- 570-662-4046
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500 North Hall
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- Clearfield
- 814-768-3405
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Founder's Hall
- Social Media
Bashar W. Hanna, Ph.D. is the founding president of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, formed through the integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield Universities in 2022.
Dr. Hanna was named the 19th president of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania in July 2017. He was a professor of biology and formerly vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown.
As the vice president for academic affairs at Delaware Valley from 2011 to 2016, Hanna helped implement a $60 million capital campaign; launched four bachelor degrees, four master’s degrees and the institution’s first doctoral degree. He also guided the institution through a successful change to university status and created articulation agreements with five community colleges leading to a significant increase in transfer students. Additionally, under his leadership, graduate enrollment increased by 65 percent. Dr. Hanna also launched Experience360 (E360), an experiential learning and career services program giving every student real-world experiences.
Prior to Delaware Valley, Hanna served as associate provost at Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y. There he launched the college’s Integrative Core, increased external grant funding 20 percent and co-authored the institution’s academic strategic plan, IC 20/20.
Dr. Hanna served as the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and interim provost at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania from 2005 to 2009. At Kutztown, he helped increase enrollment 11 percent, while also improving the academic profile of incoming classes. Hanna also conceived and assembled the school’s inaugural Board of Visitors, raised funds to create 22 new scholarships, increased tenured-track/tenured faculty from 64 to 77 percent and launched new programs including a minor in German and Bachelor of Arts in religious studies.
Dr. Hanna earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology; his Master’s degree in Developmental Biology and his Ph.D. in Developmental Neurobiology from Temple University.