President Linda Fedrizzi-Williams
Central Penn College’s 10th President
About President Fedrizzi-Williams
Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, Ed.D., became Central Penn College’s 10th president in June 2018, bringing with her a renewed vitality and commitment to excellence. Before her appointment as president, she served as interim co-president for nine months and as vice president for academic affairs and provost, beginning in July 2016.
As a results-driven innovator who leads by example, Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams has focused on improving the student learning experience inside and outside the classroom. She has also formed and strengthened strategic academic, corporate and community partnerships to help every student thrive.
“Supporting students both academically and individually is critical to student success,” says Fedrizzi-Williams. As a first-generation college student herself, she lives out this mantra by working to maximize opportunities for every Central Penn family member through career-relevant, high-quality education taught by experts in their field.
During her time as president, Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams artfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. She also developed innovative new programs and certificates to help meet local workforce needs; enhanced student resources through new public and private revenue streams; and implemented a forward-thinking, multi-faceted Strategic Plan focused on expanding and enhancing Academics, Athletics and Atmosphere.
Recently, under her hands-on leadership, a centralized Center for Student Success was established, a streamlined textbook-buying process was launched, and mental health care services were bolstered by providing convenient, immediate access to 24-7 care. She also has brought around-the-clock food service to students on campus and addressed systemic concerns about college affordability.
As president, Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams is living out her pledge to build on the college’s proud, 141-year tradition of helping students thrive on campus, in their chosen career, and in life.
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Selected Community Involvement
Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams is a well-known and respected community leader who has contributed in countless ways to the enrichment of students, the local economy, and area families. Among her many initiatives to give back to the community and build bridges to area businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, health systems and government, she has earned these and other marks of recognition.
- Her positive impact was recognized in her selection as one of the region’s “Power 100” by Central Penn Business Journal in both 2023 and 2024
- Her servant leadership, mentoring, and managerial style led to an “Empowering Women” Award for the College in 2023, spotlighting her dedication to advancing talented women to positions of leadership and cultivating the leaders of tomorrow
- Named one of the “Top 20 People Changing Career Education” by Career Education Review, June 2022
- She was chosen as a “Woman of Influence” from Central Penn Business Journal
- She served on the Board of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber/CREDC, along with the board of Leadership Harrisburg and as a partner with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central PA.
- She launched a “Back to our Roots” initiative, which strengthened the college’s focus on the most in-demand career-ready programs, including popular health and business offerings
- Her research and guest lectures on work-life integration have helped employees maximize both their professional performance and their quality time with family.
- She led effective educational programming and instructors that recently produced an impressive placement rate of 90.5 % for those working in their field a year after graduation
- She has maximized public and private financial support for the school’s budget in order to offer more scholarships to students in need and expand athletic opportunities, which included raising a record-setting sum from new and long-standing private donors at her President’s Reception;
- Dr. Fedrizzi is a wife, mother and frequent volunteer at school and community events, and is an enthusiastic fan in the stands at Knights games.
Background on Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams
Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams earned a doctorate of education from Benedictine University, a master of arts in Organizational Communication from Marist College, a bachelor of arts in Communication (TV/Radio/Film) from Marist College, and an associate of arts from SUNY Orange.
Prior to joining Central Penn, Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams served as associate vice president for Liberal Arts at SUNY Orange in Middletown, N.Y. Her accomplishments included:
- securing funding for a new, state-of-the-art television studio for the Arts & Communication Department
- developing a New Media Program, which featured seven new courses
- overseeing curriculum development, programmatic reviews and course scheduling across divisions, and
- serving as an associate professor of communications.
Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Fedrizzi-Williams was the executive producer and morning show co-host on a popular radio station in the Hudson Valley region of N.Y.
