Prior to coming to PWSC, Runge served as associate dean of academics at Helena College (formerly Helena College of Technology), a two-year college in the Montana University System offering certificates and degrees in career and technical education, as well as general transfer degrees.

Her background includes academic leadership experience as vice president of academic affairs at Oglethorpe University and dean of the College of Arts & Letters at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). In addition, she taught at USM, as well as community colleges in Georgia and Alabama.

Runge brings considerable experience in the areas of fundraising, community and industry partnership building and leading during organizational change. She holds a Ph.D. in political science with an emphasis in public policy and administration from the University of Alabama.