Robert Pangborn has been named Penn State's new vice president and dean of undergraduate education, filling a two-month vacancy in the position.

Pangborn, currently a professor of engineering mechanics, has been with the university for the past 26 years. His appointment will go into effect on Jan. 23, pending approval by the Board of Trustees.

"There are certainly some key things that I think are real opportunities," Pangborn said. "[I want] to promote more student engagement in learning through things like public scholarships, involvement in the community and the integration of formal curriculum and co-curriculums."

Blannie Bowen, vice provost for academic affairs, said the search has been going on for most of the fall semester, beginning after the previous vice president, Janis Jacobs, died of breast cancer in September at the age of 51.

Jacobs had been with Penn State for nine years. She served as vice president for administration and vice provost for undergraduate education before being named vice president and dean for undergraduate education in July.

Throughout his career, Pangborn has been chair of the University Faculty Senate, an interim campus executive officer dean at Penn State Altoona and was awarded the McKay Donkin Award for his service to the Penn State faculty.

Pangborn said his main goal while in office is to help create a curriculum that pulls students in and prepares them for the careers and challenges that await them.

The search was conducted internally, restricting applicants to current Penn State faculty, and Pangborn was chosen by 13 Penn State affiliates on the advisory search committee made up of faculty, staff, and student representative and Academic Assembly President Ashley Harris.

"We decided to do an internal search so that we could get it done as soon as possible," Bowen said.

During the search, Jeremy Cohen, assistant vice president and senior associate dean for undergraduate education, and Lewis Jillings, associate vice-provost of international programs, handled the vice presidential duties.

Cohen said replacing Jacobs was almost impossible, but the position was rewarding as well as difficult.

"It's a tremendously important position that helps constituencies in the university and beyond to understand the commitment Penn State has to its undergraduates," Cohen said.

Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon, who has known Pangborn for several years, said that Pangborn will be able to fulfill the position best, benefiting the faculty as well as the student body.

"It's really a position about students, and Dr. Pangborn will fulfill that position just perfectly," he said.

Mahon also said that filling the position would help students prepare for the future.

"These are important areas, and it will be nice having a permanent person in the position that can look long-range," he said.

The new vice president position will be divided into undergraduate duties and international affairs. Jacobs handled the responsibilities of both positions, but the university has decided that it will be more successful to have two people working on the issues.

Pangborn will be in charge of undergraduate affairs along with Jillings, who will continue his work with international programs until that position is filled as well.

"We believe now it's better to have two separate positions," Bowen said. "We'll be doing that search in the spring."

He said being the vice president is very demanding, but Pangborn is well-suited.

"This position impacts all kinds of Penn State departments and issues," Bowen said.