The first 2025 meeting of the Millersville University Council of Trustees on Wednesday, March 5, saw addresses by university president Dr. Daniel Wubah, the departure of longtime communications director Janet Kacskos, and an update about a solar panel project in Brookwood.
Wubah acknowledged guidance he’d received from the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education on changes to DEI initiatives brought on by the Trump Administration. There has been a large-scale rollback of such programs across the country, affecting public institutions such as Millersville.
“We should look at [DEI items], and if they restrict, race, gender, open it up to all students,” Wubah said. “We are making sure our websites are compliant [with new DEI items].”
Wubah also addressed a major investment from biopharma company, GSK, which contributed “up to $800 million” in October, the largest in the county’s history, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. The investment seeks to increase research and development at the company’s plant in Marietta and Lancaster County.
“Our life sciences are going to thrive,” Wubah said. “We shouldn’t miss this opportunity to work with GSK.”
Wubah’s openness to explore potential collaborations between GSK and Millersville would be in conjunction with the university’s life sciences department. This partnership can provide education, employment, and dual-enrollment programs.
The Council also passed a resolution in recognition of Janet Kacskos, the former communications director of 20 years for the university, in honor of her retirement. The resolution recognizes Ms. Kacskos’ contributions to the ‘Ville, including time as executive editor of the Review magazine and her role in supporting MU’s crisis communication function.
In another departure, Dr. Robyn Davis sat in her final meeting as Millersville chapter president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculty. In her address, Davis expressed how Millersville and other higher education institutions are “under attack” from the federal government.
“We must act together, all of us, to keep the government’s hands off higher ed,” Davis said. “We cannot permit attacks on the free and transparent expression of ideas to go unchallenged.”
CEO of students services Geoffrey Beers also provided an update on an upcoming solar panel project in Brookwood, who met with the Millersville Borough Council to discuss the project status.
The next public meeting of the Council of Trustees is set for June 4.
