Dianna Vargo has been named the fourteenth president of Wheeling University in West Virginia.
According to the Department of Education’s most recent data, Wheeling University enrolls about 600 undergraduate students and 150 graduate students. Women represent about 40 percent of the undergraduate student body.
For the past six months, Dr. Vargo has served as Wheeling University’s chief operating officer. She first joined the university in 2016 as an adjunct instructor in the education program, and soon transitioned to a full-time position as an assistant professor of education. During her tenure, she has served as director of the graduate education program, the ACT program, and the master of educational leadership degree program. In 2021, she was named director of education.
Prior to joining the Wheeling University faculty, Dr. Vargo spent three decades as an educator and administrator with the Ohio County school system. Her career began in 1983 as a math teacher at Wheeling Park High School. After serving in various leadership positions, she was appointed superintendent of the system in 2012.
“This is a very exciting and important opportunity, not just for me, but for our entire faculty and staff. All of us here are firmly committed to advancing this great university and providing the best learning environment for our students,” said Dr. Vargo.
Dr. Vargo received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Ohio University and master’s degree in science and math education from Wheeling College. She holds a second master’s degree in education administration and a doctorate in educational leadership from West Virginia University.