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Dr. Sara Conroy Named Vice President Of Academic Affairs & Student Services

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has appointed Dr. Sara Conroy as the College’s new Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services.

Dr. Sara Conroy, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services.

Dr. Conroy joins Penn Highlands after a successful 13-year tenure at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in Pittsburgh. Since 2021, she has served as the Dean of the Business and Technology Academic Division, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to her new role.

As Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Services at Penn Highlands, Dr. Conroy draws on her extensive experience to support student achievement and academic excellence. She is committed to fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes both educational quality and student success.

“I’m incredibly excited to join Penn Highlands,” Dr. Conroy stated. “I see tremendous opportunities here, not only in the strength of our existing programs, but also in how I can contribute through my own background and experience. Higher education has changed dramatically in just the last five to ten years, and I’m deeply aware of how important it is to stay forward-thinking and adaptable. I look forward to helping guide Penn Highlands into a strong and sustainable future.”

She holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Management and Leadership and a Master of Science in Taxation from Robert Morris University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a minor in Management Information Systems and a certificate in Leadership and Ethics from the University of Pittsburgh.

Outside of her profession, Dr. Conroy is heavily involved in the community, serving in three separate roles for Freeport Borough – Council Member, Chair of Finance Committee, and Co-Chair of Parks and Recreation Committee. She is also a member of the Freeport Renaissance Association, a mentor for PittBusiness, and has actively served on the University of Pittsburgh’s Business Alumni Advisory Board for six years, previously serving as the first vice-president of the board.

“What further confirmed my decision were the candid, strategic conversations I had with the President about the future of higher education, the evolving needs of our students, and how Penn Highlands is positioning itself to meet those challenges,” Dr. Conroy stated. “Those behind-the-scenes insights gave me a clear picture of a college that is not only aware of the shifting landscape, but is actively planning for it, and I knew I wanted to be part of that work.”