The chancellor of Penn State Lehigh Valley, Ann M. Williams, has announced that she will retire in July 2015 after 15 years of service to Penn State.

"During her tenure as Chancellor, the Lehigh Valley campus has enjoyed continuous growth and is now among the top five in enrollments among the university college campuses," said Howard Kulp, chair of the Penn State Lehigh Valley Advisory Board.

"Dr. Williams' inspirational leadership and on-going advocacy for Penn State Lehigh Valley students, faculty and staff has been both admired and appreciated. She has ensured that Penn State Lehigh Valley is poised for continued success in the years to come," Kulp said.

Williams joined Penn State University in 2000 as Chancellor at the Lehigh Valley Campus. One of the greatest accomplishments during her tenure was orchestrating the campus' move from its previous location in Fogelsville to Center Valley in 2009, tripling the amount of academic and recreational space for students.

Williams took on the task of renovating the former Lehigh Valley College and relocating the entire campus to the new facility. Less than three months after acquiring the facility, Penn State Lehigh Valley students were able to start the fall 2009 semester on time and in the new campus.

During her tenure, the campus has not only grown in physical size and enrollment, but also in diversity, academic and cultural programming, student life, athletics and outreach. In addition, the respect she has attained among local Penn State alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the Lehigh Valley community helped the campus receive its largest ever single major gift and successfully achieve its goal in the University's most recent campaign, "For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students."

Additional gifts included funds to name the campus' art gallery, music room, video learning room, and several other class and conference rooms.

Most recently, her commitment to serving the adult student population earned her the honor of being awarded Penn State University's Shirley Hendrick Award.

Prior to joining Penn State, Williams spent 19 years at Luzerne County Community College serving as professor; Dean of Liberal Arts, Science and Allied Health; the Dean of Administrative Affairs; Special Assistant to the President on Labor; Vice President of Economic and Community Development, and many other related positions.

Williams received degrees from Wilkes University, Marywood University and Temple University in the areas of Psychology and Adult Development-Adult Education.

A search for Williams' replacement is to begin this fall.