Kenneth Long Inaugurated as 14th President of East Stroudsburg University

East Stroudsburg University held an installation ceremony to inaugurate Kenneth Long, M.B.A., as the University’s 14th president on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Long served as interim president since July 2020, upon the retirement of Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D., and led the institution during the difficult times of the pandemic. The Board of Governors for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education appointed Long president of ESU in November 2022.

“East Stroudsburg University has a long history of academic excellence—one that has helped tens of thousands of alumni find their paths to the future,” said PASSHE Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia D. Shapira. “President Long is committed to continuing that success for students, faculty and staff, and we have every confidence that ESU is poised to serve this community and this commonwealth far into the future.”

Long had previously served as the University’s vice president of administration and finance and chief financial officer since 2013, after serving five years as assistant vice president of administration and finance at Kutztown University. In 2012, he also worked as interim vice president for finance and administration at Cheyney University in a loaned executive capacity.

“President Long has proven his dedication to ESU through his leadership and vision for the campus and community,” said PASSHE Chancellor Daniel Greenstein. “He is committed to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for success throughout their lives and his engagement with the community will benefit the university and the region. I look forward to continuing to work with him.”

Long is the first African American president of East Stroudsburg University and brings over 35 years of leadership and management experience in higher education, including executive-level experience at public, research, medical and regional institutions.

Prior to joining the State System, Long held positions at the University of Toledo and DeVry University, where he started his higher education career in 1987. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in math and political science from Drew University, and a Master of Business Administration from Monmouth University.

“President Long will continue to move ESU in the right trajectory as is already evident from the continued growth we see in enrollment and great community relations,” said L. Patrick Ross ‘67, chair of the Council of Trustees. “He has strong financial acumen and has made ESU fiscally sound despite enormous pressures facing higher education in general and the PASSHE universities specifically,” Ross said.

“President Long has proven dedication to access and equity, which is very important in higher education. He brings a vision and understanding of diversity and inclusive excellence to our campus, and constantly demonstrates his commitment to all of our students and alumni that make up the Warrior Family,” said chair Ross.

The theme of President Long’s inauguration was “Creating Opportunities: Community, Engagement and Belonging,” which reflects ESU’s 130-year history of access to affordable education, engagement with the community, and a campus environment where everyone can belong.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to lead East Stroudsburg University as president,” Long said. “Having been part of the Warrior community for the past 10 years, I am humbled to be here today, with my family by my side, as we build on the University’s history of providing affordable, accessible post-secondary education.

“I look forward to continue working with faculty, students, staff, administrators, alumni and the local community in advancing the mission of ESU, and for the University to continue contributing to the growth and prosperity of the region and commonwealth.”

The inauguration ceremony concluded a week-long celebration of the President Long that included a tribute to the President by ESU’s 22 varsity sports teams, a theatre performance of Cabaret, the art + media + design students senior show, a concert by the Water Gap Jazz Orchestra, a parade that featured ESU and Stroudsburg High School marching bands followed by a faculty and staff brunch, a student luncheon, an alumni reception, a student research symposium, faculty presentations in the Provost’s Colloquium Series, fundraisers and collections for the Warrior Food Pantry, and a celebration dinner to benefit student scholarships.

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