College News
College Welcomes New Associate Dean
Penn State Altoona has appointed Patti Mills to assume the position of associate dean of academic affairs, which has been filled on an interim basis since the retirement of the late Kjell Meling in 2004. Mills will officially assume her duties at the college on July 1, 2006.
This highly-accomplished scholar grew up in rural Mahopac, New York, just north of New York City. Her father was a New York City firefighter in the Bronx and a World War II veteran. Her stay-at-home mother nurtured Mills and her two siblings. According to Mills, "I am very much a working class kid."
Attending college would not have been an option for Mills had it not been for the vision and generosity of the citizens of New York who supported her by means of a Regents Scholarship. "My life has been transformed through higher education," states Mills. She has dedicated her life so others may experience that transformative power.
Mills is the first in her family to pursue higher education and has experienced great success. In addition to being an accomplished scholar, Mills also is the author of three accounting books, has written numerous articles and book reviews, presented many papers and other public addresses, and co-edited The Accounting Historians' Journal.
For the past six years, Penn State Harrisburg has been home to Mills. Her transition to Altoona will allow her to stay with the University while moving to a larger campus with more significant responsibilities.
Mills took the position of associate dean, in part, because of Penn State Altoona's impressive reputation within the Penn State system. She also was excited to have the opportunity to work with Lori J. Bechtel, chancellor of Penn State Altoona. Mills admires Bechtel's achievements, energy, and approach to issues.
Mills aptly sums up her new academic duties: "The duties of the associate dean are to clear the pathway for faculty to do their best work. If faculty are enabled to do their best work, students benefit abundantly."