Office of the President

A message from Acting President John M. Ulrich

Since 1857, Mansfield University has faithfully served our surrounding region, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the world beyond as an affordable access point for higher education.  Initially formed as a Classical Seminary, Mansfield evolved into a state-supported Normal School, a State Teachers College, a comprehensive State College, and finally the university that we are today.  Throughout our rich history, Mansfield has always focused on providing a welcoming, supporting environment for our students as they pursue their educational goals.  Students who select Mansfield as their college of choice do so for many reasons, but most often students tell us that they choose Mansfield because they enjoy our small-school environment, the quality of our academic programs, the personal attention they receive from our dedicated faculty and staff, the beauty of our campus and surrounding countryside, and the comfort of our modern residence halls.

At Mansfield, students may choose from a wide variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and professional fields of study.  Our highest enrolled baccalaureate programs include Biology, Business, Criminal Justice Administration, Education, Music, Nursing, and Psychology.  Because of our small campus atmosphere, students have many opportunities to work closely with our faculty on experiential learning projects and collaborative research that might not otherwise be possible at a larger school.   Many of our students pursue internships in conjunction with their academic course of study, and our Career Center in Alumni Hall provides our students with all the resources they need to secure internships, prepare for job interviews, and make a successful transition to their desired careers.

Students may also choose from a wide variety of student clubs, organizations, and other service activities to support the university and the community.  Mansfield’s study abroad program enables students to participate in exchanges with 150 universities in 50 countries; we also offer short-term, faculty-led study abroad experiences, including a very popular one that involves field work in Belize.  Finally, our competitive athletics teams, including 12 NCAA Division II sports and our Sprint Football team, embody the spirit and tenacity that makes us all identify proudly as Mansfield “Mounties.”

Having worked for Mansfield University as a faculty member and an administrator for nearly 30 years, I can certainly attest to the high quality of our institution and its focus on student success.  But don’t just take my word for it.  I invite you to visit our campus in the “endless mountains” of northern Pennsylvania and experience for yourself the beautiful and welcoming environment of our university.

John Ulrich, Ph.D.
Acting President, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania