Former PSU educator and administrator Virginia Barry has been nominated by Governor John Lynch and approved by New Hampshire’s Executive Council  to be the state’s new commissioner of education. President Sara Jayne Steen praised Barry’s nomination, saying, “Virginia Barry will be a wonderful commissioner. She brings to the position leadership experience across the educational levels, knowledge of the state’s educational opportunities, and an energy and intelligence that will serve New Hampshire well.”

Most recently, Barry was a professor in PSU’s College of Graduate Studies. Previously, she served as the University’s acting president and provost and vice president for academic affairs. Barry has been widely recognized for her expertise in education, receiving PSU’s Harold E. Hyde Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership, the College of Graduate Studies Award for Outstanding Transformational Leadership, the Distinguished Teaching Award, and the New York State Award for Support of People with Disabilities.