Former Pennsylvania Secretary of Education and School District of Lancaster Superintendent Pedro A Rivera joined Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology as its next president, effective today, October 1, 2020.
Rivera was appointed to the position by the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Board of Trustees in a unanimous vote at its August 4, 2020 meeting. He succeeds Dr. William Griscom, who retired in January 2020 after serving the College in that capacity for 23 years.
“The Board of Trustees welcomes Pedro Rivera as the next President of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology,” said Maryann Marotta, Chair of the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Board of Trustees and Vice President of Marotta/Main Architects. “Secretary Rivera is a demonstrable leader with nationally recognized experience to lead the College through these very challenging times for higher education. His experience in education, leadership, and governmental policy align with the needs of the institution, and his strength and drive will serve to advance the mission of the College throughout the Commonwealth, impacting the lives of economically and socially underserved students and their families for generations.”
Rivera most recently served as Pennsylvania Secretary of the Department of Education, having been appointed by Governor Tom Wolf and confirmed unanimously by the state Senate in 2015. Prior to his appointment to Governor Wolf’s Cabinet, Rivera served as superintendent of the School District of Lancaster. Additionally, he was a classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal, and executive director for the School District of Philadelphia, as well as a staff member with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. In September 2014, he was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change for his efforts to transform urban education with his holistic approach to student success – one of ten recipients nationwide to receive the prestigious honor. Rivera serves as the Past President of the Board of Directors for the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), a nonpartisan organization of public officials who head state departments of elementary and secondary education.
During his time as Secretary, he engaged with educators, administrators, parents and students, as well as business and industry leaders, higher education officials and others to guide the department’s work on issues that were important to the future of PA. Through initiatives like PA Future Ready Index and Pennsylvania’s Every Student Succeeds Act, and PostSecondary Attainment goals, he has demonstrated his commitment to educational equity, a commitment that is foundational to the mission of the College.
Rivera is a first-generation college graduate and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Pennsylvania State University, a Master degree in Education Administration from Cheyney University.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is a model of collaboration between bi-partisan government, industry and the community coming together to address an urgent and growing need to meet a labor skills gap in technology, advanced manufacturing and construction in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and across the country. Thaddeus Stevens College provides students with an in-demand education that, in only 2-years, prepares students for jobs that meet that skills gap and provides a family-sustaining wage for its graduates. The College has one of the highest job placement rates in the state with a five-year average overall placement rate of 98 percent and in-career field placement rate of 93 percent of all graduating students. Last year (class ’19), more than 1,480 employers sought graduates for more than 5,100 jobs for 397 graduates.
“It is an honor and a privilege to serve as President of Thaddeus Stevens College,” said President Rivera. “The opportunity to continue to serve students and the community alongside our talented and dedicated faculty, staff and Board of Trustees is both a tremendous opportunity and great responsibility. One I look forward to facilitating, as a leader and community member.”