Elections

The number of trustees which shall constitute the full Board of Trustees is fixed at thirty-eight (38), as set forth in the Charter and Bylaws of the University.

Ex-Officio Members

  • Voting Members:
    • Secretary of Education
    • Secretary of Agriculture
    • Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources
    • Immediate Past President of Penn State Alumni Association
  • Non-Voting Members:
    • Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
    • President of the Pennsylvania State University

Elected and Appointed Members

Gubernatorial Appointees
Six trustees appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Alumni Representatives
Nine trustees elected by alumni and former students of the Pennsylvania State University

Agricultural Representatives
Six trustees elected by county agricultural delegates (three from each county) representing organized agricultural societies and associations

Business and Industry
Six trustees representing business and industry endeavors, elected by the Board of Trustees

At-Large Members
Three at-large members elected by the Board of Trustees

Student Representative
One student trustee elected by the Board upon nomination by a student selection group

Faculty Representative
One faculty trustee elected by the Board upon nomination by the Faculty Senate

Requirements for Trustees of Penn State University

Qualifications

The qualifications outlined below ensure that individuals serving on the Penn State Board of Trustees possess the skills, commitment, and integrity necessary to effectively govern a complex and dynamic institution in alignment with its mission and values.

Commitment to the University’s Mission Trustees must demonstrate a commitment to advancing the mission, vision, and goals of Penn State University.
Professional and Personal Attributes Trustees should bring expertise, leadership, and experience in areas identified in the Board’s Skill Set Inventory | Office of the Board of Trustees
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is a foundational element of Penn State’s academic, research and land-grant missions. Candidates must support the University’s commitment to DEIB.
Ethics and Confidentiality Trustees must comply with the University’s ethical standards, avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Trustee Code of Conduct and conflict of interest policies.
Time Commitment Trustees are expected to attend (in person or virtually) at least 75% of the five regularly scheduled Board meetings annually and diligently engage in assigned committee work, requiring a minimum of 8-10 hours per month for preparation and participation in meetings, exclusive of travel.

Eligibility

All Trustee candidates (except gubernatorial appointees) must complete the following steps before their name will be placed on the ballot or their nomination will be acted upon by the Nominating Subcommittee and the Board of Trustees:

Registration Candidates must register with the Office of the Board prior to any applicable deadline.
Background Check Candidates are required to undergo a background check, the results of which must not reflect behavior that would be violative of the Code of Conduct and/or the Penn State Values.
Code of Conduct Certification Candidates must sign a certification stating they will adhere to the Code of Conduct both as a Trustee candidate and, if elected, as a Trustee.
References Candidates must provide a list of three references who can attest to their qualifications and experience.
Biography/Position Statement Candidates are required to submit a biography and position statement outlining their professional background, skills, and perspectives on serving as a Trustee.
Candidate Questionnaire Candidates must complete the “Candidate Questionnaire” as outlined in Section Ten (X) of the Election Appendix to the Bylaws. This document is made publicly available to promote transparency in the selection process.

The Office of the Board of Trustees will provide all candidates with a link for electronic submission of the required materials.

Trustee Candidate Screening Matrix

Designed to provide a fair, consistent and transparent method to determine trustee candidates’ eligibility, the Board’s Nominating Subcommittee will use the screening matrix to assess materials submitted by the alumni, at-large, and business and industry candidates for election and appointment to the board. Trustee Candidate Screening Matrix

For more detailed information or specific inquiries, please refer to the Penn State University Elections Appendix to the Bylaws or contact the Office of the Board of Trustees.