Jennifer Kellner-Muscar selected as dean of campus and community engagement at Ohio University Eastern

Ohio University Eastern is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Kellner-Muscar as the next dean of campus and community engagement, effective Sept. 1, 2026.

Kellner-Muscar will succeed Dr. Richard W. Greenlee, who has served as interim dean since May 2025.

A familiar and respected member of the Ohio University Eastern community, Kellner-Muscar will serve as the Eastern Campus’ first-ever female dean while bringing more than 25 years of experience in higher education, a strong commitment to student success and a deep connection to the Ohio Valley region. Her extensive campus knowledge, leadership experience and collaborative approach position her well to continue advancing the mission of the St. Clairsville campus.

Kellner-Muscar currently serves as director of Student Services at Ohio University Eastern, a role she has held since January 2022. In this position, she provides leadership for student support operations, oversees campus programming, collaborates with university departments and external agencies to support student needs, and works closely with campus leadership to advance enrollment, engagement and retention initiatives.

During her tenure as director of Student Services, Kellner-Muscar has served as a key campus leader, managing daily operations of the Student Services Office, overseeing the College Credit Plus program, developing partnerships with K–12 institutions throughout the region, supporting recruitment initiatives, coordinating orientation programming and supervising student support personnel. She has also served on campus leadership committees and contributed to efforts focused on student success, campus operations and community engagement.

Kellner-Muscar’s connection to Ohio University Eastern spans more than two decades. She began her career at the campus in 2001 as a recruitment coordinator and has since served in roles including transfer advisor, academic advisor and manager of Advising and Retention. Throughout her career, she has focused on helping students successfully navigate higher education while strengthening relationships between the university and the communities it serves.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue serving Ohio University Eastern in this new role,” said Kellner-Muscar. “Supporting the students and communities in our region has been my life’s work and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to work alongside our outstanding faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners. I look forward to building upon the strong foundation of OHIO Eastern and continuing to create opportunities for student success.”

Kellner-Muscar is a native of Belmont County and a graduate of Shadyside High School. She earned a Master of Public Administration from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Arts from Wheeling Jesuit University. She has spent her career in higher education focused on student access, retention, engagement and creating pathways for students to achieve their educational goals.

“We are excited to welcome Jennifer Kellner-Muscar as dean of campus and community engagement,” said Dr. Lewatis McNeal, vice provost for regional higher education. “Jennifer’s more than two decades of service at Ohio University Eastern, combined with her deep relationships throughout the St. Clairsville community and the Ohio Valley, demonstrate her commitment to students and regional higher education. Her institutional knowledge, collaborative leadership style and passion for student success will be valuable as OHIO Eastern continues strengthening its role as a regional educational partner.”

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Kellner-Muscar has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Ohio Valley community through extensive civic involvement. Her involvement has included advocating for children in the foster care system as a court appointed special advocate (CASA), supporting public education and student success, promoting access to the arts and music, advancing literacy initiatives, and contributing to community revitalization efforts. She has also helped secure grant funding and led collaborative fundraising initiatives that have enhanced educational and community resources throughout the region. 

A lifelong Ohio Valley resident with deep roots in the Wheeling community, Kellner-Muscar is passionate about the arts, community engagement and creating opportunities that strengthen the region she calls home. Outside of her work at OHIO Easterm, she enjoys gardening, attending live music and theater performances, acting in local productions, traveling and exploring new restaurants. She also values spending time with her family, her book clubs and her dog. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Kellner-Muscar is passionate about fostering equity, inclusion and meaningful community connections that strengthen the Ohio Valley and create opportunities for all who call it home.

Kellner-Muscar will succeed Dr. Richard W. Greenlee, who returned to serve as interim dean of Ohio University Eastern in 2025 following his previous tenure as dean from 2008–2013. Greenlee has dedicated more than 35 years to Ohio University as a faculty member, administrator, and advocate for regional higher education. His career has included serving as a faculty member in Social Work, chair of the Department of Social Work, associate provost for Appalachian access, and leader at OHIO Eastern.

During his time as interim dean, Greenlee provided stability and continuity for the campus while supporting the continued advancement of OHIO Eastern’s mission. Throughout his career, he has been a strong advocate for accessible, high-quality education close to home and has played an important role in strengthening connections between Ohio University and the communities it serves.

“We are grateful to Dr. Greenlee for his willingness to once again serve Ohio University Eastern and provide leadership during this transition,” said McNeal. “His decades of service, deep connection to the region, and unwavering commitment to students have made a lasting impact on the campus and the Ohio Valley community.”

As dean of campus and community engagement, Kellner-Muscar will work with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners to continue advancing Ohio University Eastern’s mission of providing accessible, high-quality educational opportunities throughout the Ohio Valley.

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