Chancellor George Pernsteiner is the chief executive and administrative officer of the Oregon University System and reports directly to the Oregon State Board of Higher Education (OSBHE). The Chancellor also serves as the agency head for the Department of Higher Education, the budgetary name for the OUS and as agency head, and may be invited to serve in the Governor's Cabinet. Chancellor Pernsteiner was appointed by the Board in June 2004 and began his service with OUS in July 2004.

The Chancellor is entrusted to carry out the policies of the board and act as its administrative officer. Functions include:

• ensuring support for and carrying out the many initiatives related to the directives of the OSBHE and the Board’s vision for higher education in the state;
• leading the biennial operating and capital budget process, including presenting proposals to the Legislature;
• facilitating campuses’ efforts to achieve their educational missions and overall System goals;
• overseeing the overall administration, operations, and employees of the Chancellor’s Office;
• creating partnerships among OUS campuses, community colleges and K-12 institutions; and
• working closely with the Oregon Legislature, the Governor, and other constituencies for support and investment in higher education.

The Chancellor supervises a system administration leadership team (see contacts below) who, along with the campus leadership and councils, manages the work of the OUS. In addition, the Chancellor is regularly and routinely briefed by all Chancellor's Office department directors including the Executive Director of Internal Audit, who also reports to the Board. For more inforrmation on the work of the Chancellor's Office's Office in meeting statewide higher educaiton goals, go to About Chancellor's Office. For staff and department information, please go to the OUS Staff Directory or OUS Departments.

Contacts:

Chancellor:

• George Pernsteiner, Chancellor, bio
  • Contact: Maggie Bice, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor

Vice Chancellors:

• Jay Kenton, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, bio
• Sona Karentz Andrews, Vice Chancellor for Academic Strategies, bio

Senior staff whose functions are shared with the Board:

• Bridget Burns, Senior Policy Advisor, bio
• Ryan J. Hagemann, Legal Counsel, bio
• Diane 'Di' Saunders, Director of Communications, bio
• Charles Triplett, Board Secretary