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 staff works with the president in a collaborative and advisory capacity to assist in setting the strategic direction for the College. Members of the senior staff have management responsibility which represents all areas of the College.
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Faculty (SVPAA)
Betty is responsible for advising the President on all major matters of resource allocation within the academic areas of the College including new and existing programs, distribution of new positions within the faculty, construction and other capital projects, and space allocation. In addition to the Deans and Department Chairs, the following directors report to the SVPAA: Director of the High Library, Director of Multicultural Affairs and Title IX, and the Registrar.
Vice President for Finance and Strategy
Gerald “Jerry” Silberman is Vice President for Finance and Strategy for Elizabethtown College. Starting in Aug. 2019, Silberman came to E-town 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 President McCormick 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).
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.
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 E-town 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.
Vice President for Student Life
The Vice President of Student Life is responsible for the administrative oversight and enhancement of the student learning/living environment. He reports to the President of the College. The Vice President of Student Life specific responsibilities include oversight of co-curricular programs and administrative services including athletics, campus security, student wellness, student rights and responsibilities, religious life, residence life, student activities and campus recreation. In addition, he oversees coordinated academic support services which are delivered through the Center for Student Success. The Center houses Academic Advising, Learning Zone, Disability Services and the Office of International Students & Scholars. Additionally the Center for Student Involvement is also a part of Student Life. The Center for Student Involvement includes Career Services, Called to Lead Program, Purposeful Life Work and Ethical Leadership and the Center for Community and Civic Engagement. He is also a Core Team Member of the Emergency Management Group, and serves on several College committees, such as Facilities and Planning Construction Committee and the Hiring and Compensation Review Committee. He is the senior staff liaison to the Student Life Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
As the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Liz works with a seven-member team to advance the marketing and communication support for clients across campus, with specific emphasis on enrollment. She is responsible for the College’s branding/messaging, strategic marketing plan development and implementation, website development and maintenance, social media management, digital marketing, photography/videography, media relations and internal communications. She also serves as the senior team liaison to the Enrollment and Marketing Committee of the Board of Trustees, as a core team member of the Emergency Management Group and as a member of the Enrollment Management Committee. She also is the advisor to the Conestogan Yearbook and to Melica, the College’s all-female a cappella group.
Assistant to the President and Executive Director of Board Relations and Business Development
Ryan T. Riley serves as assistant to the president and executive director of board relations and business development for Elizabethtown College. Starting in Aug. 2019, Riley works closely with senior leaders to manage and execute strategic initiatives, make business and government connections and secure strategic partnerships to catalyze tuition and non-tuition revenue. Riley also serves as the liaison for the Board of Trustees. Riley has an expansive background and experience working in education, fundraising, and government relations. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission under Governor Wolf. Prior to his current role, Riley served as president and state director of Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania where he led an affiliate network working closely with diverse and economically challenged communities to improve student outcomes, reduce high school dropout rates and expand career pathways through workforce development. As a thought leader in education policy, Riley has partnered with elected officials, as well as community and business leaders, to create and sustain services aimed at improving education across Pennsylvania. Riley received his bachelor’s degree from Widener University. He also completed an education leadership development program with New York University, and a cohort policy fellowship with the Education Policy Fellowship Center in Harrisburg.
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 Staff
The senior staff works with the president in a collaborative and advisory capacity to assist in setting the strategic direction for the College. Members of the senior staff have management responsibility which represents all areas of the College.
Elizabeth "Betty" Rider
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Faculty (SVPAA)
Betty is responsible for advising the President on all major matters of resource allocation within the academic areas of the College including new and existing programs, distribution of new positions within the faculty, construction and other capital projects, and space allocation. In addition to the Deans and Department Chairs, the following directors report to the SVPAA: Director of the High Library, Director of Multicultural Affairs and Title IX, and the Registrar.
Gerald Silberman
Vice President for Finance and Strategy
Gerald “Jerry” Silberman is Vice President for Finance and Strategy for Elizabethtown College. Starting in Aug. 2019, Silberman came to E-town 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 President McCormick 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 E-town 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.
Celestino Limas
Vice President for Student Life
The Vice President of Student Life is responsible for the administrative oversight and enhancement of the student learning/living environment. He reports to the President of the College. The Vice President of Student Life specific responsibilities include oversight of co-curricular programs and administrative services including athletics, campus security, student wellness, student rights and responsibilities, religious life, residence life, student activities and campus recreation. In addition, he oversees coordinated academic support services which are delivered through the Center for Student Success. The Center houses Academic Advising, Learning Zone, Disability Services and the Office of International Students & Scholars. Additionally the Center for Student Involvement is also a part of Student Life. The Center for Student Involvement includes Career Services, Called to Lead Program, Purposeful Life Work and Ethical Leadership and the Center for Community and Civic Engagement. He is also a Core Team Member of the Emergency Management Group, and serves on several College committees, such as Facilities and Planning Construction Committee and the Hiring and Compensation Review Committee. He is the senior staff liaison to the Student Life Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Elizabeth "Liz" Braungard '86
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
As the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Liz works with a seven-member team to advance the marketing and communication support for clients across campus, with specific emphasis on enrollment. She is responsible for the College’s branding/messaging, strategic marketing plan development and implementation, website development and maintenance, social media management, digital marketing, photography/videography, media relations and internal communications. She also serves as the senior team liaison to the Enrollment and Marketing Committee of the Board of Trustees, as a core team member of the Emergency Management Group and as a member of the Enrollment Management Committee. She also is the advisor to the Conestogan Yearbook and to Melica, the College’s all-female a cappella group.
Ryan T. Riley
Assistant to the President and Executive Director of Board Relations and Business Development
Ryan T. Riley serves as assistant to the president and executive director of board relations and business development for Elizabethtown College. Starting in Aug. 2019, Riley works closely with senior leaders to manage and execute strategic initiatives, make business and government connections and secure strategic partnerships to catalyze tuition and non-tuition revenue. Riley also serves as the liaison for the Board of Trustees. Riley has an expansive background and experience working in education, fundraising, and government relations. Most recently, he served as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission under Governor Wolf. Prior to his current role, Riley served as president and state director of Communities In Schools of Pennsylvania where he led an affiliate network working closely with diverse and economically challenged communities to improve student outcomes, reduce high school dropout rates and expand career pathways through workforce development. As a thought leader in education policy, Riley has partnered with elected officials, as well as community and business leaders, to create and sustain services aimed at improving education across Pennsylvania. Riley received his bachelor’s degree from Widener University. He also completed an education leadership development program with New York University, and a cohort policy fellowship with the Education Policy Fellowship Center in Harrisburg.
717-361-1000One Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298© 2019 Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298© 2019 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 educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College administered programs. Discrimination or harassment of any kind is strictly forbidden.