Callejo Pérez to serve as interim regional chancellor for northeast campuses

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - David M. Callejo Pérez, chancellor and dean of Penn State Harrisburg, has been appointed interim regional chancellor for Penn State Hazleton, Penn State Scranton and Penn State Wilkes-Barre, effective April 1.

Callejo Pérez will serve in this role while continuing as chancellor and dean of Penn State Harrisburg and while a national search for a permanent regional chancellor continues and is well underway.

"I look forward to working with David in this role and am grateful that his experience with our campuses will support a smooth transition as we complete the search," said Renata Engel, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses and executive chancellor.

Callejo Pérez joined Penn State in 2019 as associate vice president and senior associate dean for academic programs for the Commonwealth Campuses and later served as interim vice president for Commonwealth Campuses. He was appointed chancellor and dean of Penn State Harrisburg in 2024.

Durell Johnson, who has served as interim regional chancellor for the northeast campuses since fall 2025, will return to his position as campus chief academic officer at Penn State Scranton.

"We are thankful to Durell for his leadership and commitment to our northeast campuses during a period of transition," said Engel. "He has supported faculty, strengthened academic leadership, and worked closely with community partners while maintaining a focus on both immediate needs and the long-term future."