DeAnne Doll, Retiring after 17 years as Registrar

10/05/2026

For many students, the Registrar’s Office is where important details of their college experience come together. From registering for classes and maintaining academic records to processing transcripts and verifying graduation requirements, the Registrar’s Office helps ensure that every student’s academic journey is accurately documented and that the University’s academic processes run smoothly.

For the past 17 years, that work at William Penn University was shaped by Registrar DeAnne Doll, who recently retired following nearly two decades of service to the University. Colleagues, friends, and members of the William Penn community gathered to celebrate Doll’s retirement and recognize the lasting impact she made on the University and its students.

Doll joined William Penn in April 2009 as Associate Registrar before transitioning into the Registrar role a few years later. Her previous experience prepared her well for the position. Before coming to William Penn, she served as Registrar at Vennard College for six years and, prior to that, she and her husband spent approximately 15 years serving in cross-cultural ministry in Mexico.
Over her years at William Penn, Doll helped lead the Registrar’s Office through significant changes. Technology transformed many of the office’s processes, making it possible to automate tasks such as sending transcripts and diplomas, sharing documents electronically, and completing work digitally rather than relying on paper.

Just as importantly, Doll helped develop a culture within the Registrar’s Office centered on collaboration, service, and creating a welcoming environment for both students and staff. The office added processes designed to protect the integrity of William Penn degrees and help ensure students complete their academic requirements with as few errors as possible. It also works to provide advisors with the tools, training, and resources they need to effectively support their students.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Noel Stahle saw that transformation firsthand.

“DeAnne has been one of the most reliable and cordial colleagues I have ever worked with,” Stahle said. “She transformed the culture of the Registrar’s Office so that it became a welcoming office that supported students regardless of the challenge or their level of frustration.”

For Doll, the most rewarding part of the work was always seeing the results.

“Each year when we watch graduates cross the stage, there is a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment knowing the part our office played to get them to this point in their lives,” Doll said.

Her work also left a lasting impact on the efficiency of the office. Implementing technology such as Parchment for transcripts and diplomas improved processes while allowing the office to operate more efficiently.

As Doll begins retirement, William Penn has a strong successor ready to continue that work. Polina Patrick, who became Assistant Registrar in January 2026, has assumed the role of Registrar.
Doll believes Patrick is the right person to lead the office into its next chapter. She shares Doll’s service-oriented mindset while bringing strong technical, administrative, and organizational skills to the position.

“Her technical abilities and skills and administrative experience/skills make her the perfect person to continue and improve this office,” Doll said.

Stahle shares that confidence, describing Patrick as an energetic, optimistic, and highly capable professional.

“Polina has a very quick mind amplified by an optimistic, energetic personality. She is always smiling,” Stahle said. “Operationally she has a talent for maintaining order in a busy, sometimes frenetic office. Polina is a high-achieving professional who also has a natural ability to manage multiple urgent tasks effectively and simultaneously.

Looking back on her time at William Penn, Doll expressed gratitude for the opportunity to use her skills in service to the University and its students.

“These past 17 years have been good ones, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to use my skills in a way that has helped make the University better. I love serving people and was able to do that on so many levels here,” Doll said.

Doll’s legacy is evident not only in the processes she helped improve, but also in the culture of service she helped create. As she begins her next chapter, the Registrar’s Office will carry that legacy forward while continuing to evolve, serve students, and support the academic mission of William Penn University