Dr. Carla Panzella has served as the Dean of Students since August 2021 and as Associate Vice Provost since December 2022. As Dean of Students, Dr. Panzella provides leadership for innovative co-curricular programs, activities, and services that promote student well-being, sense of belonging, engagement, and diverse learning experiences. She is also responsible for the strategic direction and management of the Student Experience, Student Community and Belonging, Student Wellness, and Student Engagement and Professional Leadership Teams.
Prior to joining Pitt, Dr. Panzella served as the associate vice president for student life and dean of students at Salem State University in Salem, Massachusetts. She holds a PhD in higher education from Seton Hall University, where she completed her dissertation research on “Postsecondary Pathways: A Study of Low-income Black and Latino Students,” an MA in organizational psychology and leadership from the Teachers College of Columbia University, and a BS in psychology from Saint Peter’s University.
Carla believes that it is vitally important for public universities to advance and promote inclusive excellence and to be student-ready institutions that anticipate and meet students’ needs. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her Bernadoodles, Finn and Beau, and exploring Pittsburgh’s many great restaurants.
