M. Scott McBride retired as chancellor and chief academic officer at Penn State DuBois, in 2021, having distinguished himself with immeasurable contributions to the field of education during a 44-year career.
As the lead administrator at the campus, he oversaw all departments, worked with faculty and staff to provide the highest possible level of quality in education to students. He supervised curriculum, course delivery methods, department budgets, and more. McBride also has served as a liaison to the community, helping to form partnerships with regional industry in such areas as research and development, as well as internship opportunities, all of which benefit students and businesses alike.
Under McBride’s direction, the North Central PA LaunchBox was established. An effort McBride is passionate about, the LaunchBox brings together representatives from across a wide spectrum of disciplines to collaborate on ways to promote economic growth in the region.
Another lasting contribution McBride has made to the campus was to launch a major renovation project of the Multipurpose Building. Now known as the Physical Fitness, Athletics and Wellness Center (PAW Center) providing state-of-the-art facilities for all students, faculty and staff, as well as an updated gymnasium and practice spaces for athletic teams.
Before coming to Penn State DuBois, McBride was dean of the Caudill College of Arts, Humanities and Sciences at Morehead State University in Kentucky beginning in 2008. He led strategic planning, assessment efforts and external fundraising activities, as well as coordinated undergraduate and graduate programs, recruitment initiatives, resource development and facilities management for the 2,000-student college. He also established the Caudill College Student Services Center to improve recruitment, retention and graduation rates for the college; provided leadership for undergraduate research and service learning initiatives; led an initiative to achieve accreditation for the art and design program by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design; coordinated a series of cross-unit diversity programs and interdisciplinary efforts; and introduced a digital humanities minor to enhance learning by using technology in a range of humanities disciplines.
Before 2008, McBride was chair of the department of music and a professor of music at Morehead State University, where he successfully advocated for increased music scholarships. He led the redesign and development of innovative music courses, which helped to double enrollment and graduation rates in the department. As chair of the music department at the University of West Georgia, McBride promoted the expansion of classroom technology in arts and humanities facilities.
McBride attended Kent State University where he earned a bachelor of music degree in music education (1976) and a master of music degree in performance (1978). In 1990 he earned the doctor of philosophy degree in music education from the University of Oklahoma.
An accomplished musician with expertise on trombone, McBride has performed with the Wooster Symphony Orchestra (OH), Cobb Symphony Orchestra (GA), DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra (DOJO), Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra (KJRO), and a host of occasional professional ensembles. His professional conducting appearances include engagements with the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra (AL), U.S. Marine Band (Albany, GA), and the West Georgia Winds. Since 1987, McBride served on the entertainment production team for several collegiate bowl games including the Alamo, All-American, Gator, Holiday, Liberty, Orange, and Sugar Bowls. In 1999 he directed the half-time entertainment for the NCAA Kick-Off Classic in the New York’s Giants Stadium. In all, his professional work has taken him to 30 states, the District of Columbia, three Canadian provinces, Brazil, Finland, The People’s Republic of China, and the United Kingdom.
In retirement, McBride plans to see even more of the world, traveling and enjoying time with his partner, Misty.