Biography
Dr. John M. Mason Jr., a 1972 alumnus of Penn State Harrisburg, returned to lead the campus in 2018. As chancellor, he guided the college, strengthening its foundational pillars of providing excellence in education, creating new knowledge through research and scholarship, and serving as a resource to contribute to the vitality and diversity of the region. He stepped down as chancellor in October 2023 and will serve as a special adviser to the interim chancellor until his retirement at the end of the academic year.
Prior to his appointment at Penn State Harrisburg, Dr. Mason served as vice president for research and economic development and president and CEO of the Auburn Research and Technology Research Foundation at Auburn University in Alabama.
Dr. Mason was an associate dean of the Penn State College of Engineering from 1997 to 2008, during which time he led strategic and programmatic activities associated with research, graduate programs and outreach within the college. During his time at University Park, he was a professor of civil engineering and the director of the Thomas D. Larson Transportation Institute.
Prior to joining the Penn State faculty in 1987, Mason earned a Ph.D. in civil engineering from Texas A&M University and was a civil engineer working on various highway design and safety projects. He is also a professional engineer licensed in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Mason serves on the boards of directors of several organizations, including the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the United Way of the Capital Region.