College Leadership
Elizabethtown College is a non-profit corporation chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Founded by members of the Church of the Brethren in 1899. The College is now governed by an independent Board of Trustees while affirming its heritage and relationship to the church.
The board has final legislative authority in all matters pertaining to the purpose of the College and the policies for fulfilling the statement of purpose. Among the board's primary functions are selecting the president of the College, developing and sustaining the philosophy and policies of the College, setting the costs of tuition and fees, adopting the annual budget, and approving plans for developing and maintaining the physical plant. Learn more about our Board of Trustees.
The senior leadership team works with the president in a collaborative and advisory capacity to assist in setting the strategic direction for the College. Members of the senior leadership team have management responsibility which represents all areas of the College.
Board of Trustees
The board has final legislative authority in all matters pertaining to the purpose of the College and the policies for fulfilling the statement of purpose. Among the board's primary functions are selecting the president of the College, developing and sustaining the philosophy and policies of the College, setting the costs of tuition and fees, adopting the annual budget, and approving plans for developing and maintaining the physical plant. Learn more about our Board of Trustees.
Senior Leadership Team
The senior leadership team works with the president in a collaborative and advisory capacity to assist in setting the strategic direction for the College. Members of the senior leadership team have management responsibility which represents all areas of the College.
For leadership and/or media inquiries, please contact Keri Straub, Marketing & Communications: straubk@etown.edu or 717-361-6412.
Gerald Silberman
Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance
Gerald “Jerry” Silberman is Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance for Elizabethtown College. Starting in Aug. 2019, Silberman came to Etown with an extensive background in higher education specifically in the areas of finance, information technology, human resources, operations, public safety and security and strategic planning. Working in collaboration with the senior management team, Jerry leads the College’s budget and financial operations, oversees the Human Resources Office, and works closely with the President to develop and execute the College’s Strategic Plan. Silberman previously served as Vice President of Administration and Finance at Kutztown University (KU). Since 2007, he’s managed the state university’s annual operating budget of more than $175 million. He also supervised the College’s Office of Human Resources, Facility Operations and Management, Auxiliary Operations, Construction Services, and Public Safety and Police Services. Prior to his role as VP of Administration and Finance, Jerry served as Assistant Vice President of Administration and Finance, Comptroller, and Director of Accounting at KU since 1991. In addition, Silberman has served as a reviewer on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education evaluating several colleges and universities in the mid-Atlantic region. Silberman holds a master’s of science in Computer and Information Science from Kutztown University, a bachelor’s of arts in Accounting from Muhlenberg College and completed Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management. He is a commonwealth of Pennsylvania Certified Public Account (CPA).
David Beidleman
Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Community Relations
As vice president for advancement and community relations, David serves as secretary to the board and is the chief fundraiser for the College. He is responsible for alumni relations, the annual fund, major giving, gift planning, the High Center for Family Business and foundation, government, community and church relations. He works extensively with the Board of Trustees, Leadership Council, Alumni and Parent councils and Campaign Steering committees to advance the engagement of external constituencies including alumni, parents and friends. David holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in education degree from Lehigh University. He has served in the advancement field for over 30 years in various roles at Elizabethtown College, Lehigh University, Lafayette College and Franklin & Marshall College.
John F. Champoli
Vice President for Enrollment Management
John F. Champoli is Vice President for Enrollment Management at Elizabethtown College. Since Aug. 2019, Champoli has been leading the admissions team and enrollment initiatives as the college works to build its student body. Champoli joins Etown from Husson University in Bangor, Maine where he served as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Director of Admissions at Husson since 2015. During his time at Husson, Champoli led his enrollment team to achieve the University’s largest incoming classes for three consecutive years, 2016 through 2018. His wealth of knowledge in enrollment management, data analysis, innovative and targeted recruitment strategies, and a breadth of admissions experiences will all help to grow our enrollment to healthier levels. Prior to Husson, Champoli worked in various roles in Admissions and Enrollment Management at Lycoming College in Williamsport and for six years at the State University of New York. Champoli holds a bachelor of fine art and a minor in psychology from Molloy College and a master of fine art from Long Island University.
Bob Kerin
Vice President of Operations and Auxiliary Services
Bob Kerin joins Elizabethtown College from Sodexo where he has worked since 2002 and most recently oversaw senior care facilities as the Mobilization and Solution Design Director. Bob brings a wealth of experience and background in overseeing operations including infrastructure and process efficiency, customer relations, and revenue generation and containment. Bob received his MBA at West Chester University and holds a bachelor of science in business management from Grove City College. As Vice President of Operations, Bob will lead Dining Services, Facilities Management, Athletics, Summer Events and Special Programming, the Campus Bookstore, Print Services, and Mail Services.
Keri Straub
Executive Director for Marketing and Communications
Liaison to the Board of Trustees
Keri Straub is the Executive Director for Marketing and Communications at Elizabethtown College. For more than 15 years, Straub has worked in both the education and broadcast television industries bringing a wealth of experience in public relations, media relations, marketing, digital, strategic, and crisis communications. A former news reporter and producer, Straub has an extensive background within the media industry and serves as the College spokesperson managing media inquiries, pitches, and editorial content for the College. Straub also leads the institution's enrollment marketing, oversees the digital and web functions as well as the strategic communication efforts for the institution. She also serves as editor of the Elizabethtown College magazine. Straub holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a minor in Communication, Arts & Sciences from The Pennsylvania State University. She also holds an Advanced Public Information Officer (PIO) certificate from FEMA.
Keri Straub is the Executive Director for Marketing and Communications at Elizabethtown College. For more than 15 years, Straub has worked in both the education and broadcast television industries bringing a wealth of experience in public relations, media relations, marketing, digital, strategic, and crisis communications. A former news reporter and producer, Straub has an extensive background within the media industry and serves as the College spokesperson managing media inquiries, pitches, and editorial content for the College. Straub also leads the institution's enrollment marketing, oversees the digital and web functions as well as the strategic communication efforts for the institution. She also serves as editor of the Elizabethtown College magazine. Straub holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with a minor in Communication, Arts & Sciences from The Pennsylvania State University. She also holds an Advanced Public Information Officer (PIO) certificate from FEMA.
717-361-1000One Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298© 2020 Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298© 2020 Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, possession of a general education development certificate as compared to a high school diploma, or any other legally protected status. This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College administered programs. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is strictly forbidden.