Joseph McCarthy, vice provost for undergraduate studies, is stepping in as interim dean of the University Honors College, following the resignation of Audrey Murrell from that role on Feb. 4.
McCarthy will work with Assistant Dean David Hornyak as the search continues for the Honors College’s next dean. He will continue to fulfill his current role in the provost’s office, which includes improving student satisfaction and retention, student success, and the overall learning environment on all of Pitt’s campuses.
“I sincerely appreciate Joe’s willingness to take on this additional and pivotal role for the months ahead. He is an outstanding teacher, mentor, scientist and administrator, as well as my right hand for undergraduate academic affairs,” said Provost Ann Cudd told Pittwire.
In announcing Murrell’s decision to leave the job that she’d been in since June 2019, Cudd said that Hornyak would guide the college’s day-to-day activities, and “I will be consulting with him regularly.”
In November 2020, the provost’s office launched a national search for a new dean of the Honors College, a position that has traditionally been filled internally.
“The provost feels that the Honors College is growing and maturing. And in order to continue its momentum, it’s important to look broadly for the best candidates to serve as dean,” Lucy Russell, chief of staff in the provost’s office and chair of the search committee, said at an open forum on Nov. 17 seeking input about the position.
In November 2020, the provost’s office launched a national search for a new dean of the Honors College, a position that has traditionally been filled internally.
“The provost feels that the Honors College is growing and maturing. And in order to continue its momentum, it’s important to look broadly for the best candidates to serve as dean,” Lucy Russell, chief of staff in the provost’s office and chair of the search committee, said at an open forum on Nov. 17 seeking input about the position.
The committee will do initial interviews in early March and narrow down the list of finalists, the provost’s office said. In mid-March, the finalists will meet with Honors College constituents, including faculty, staff and students. The final decision will be made by Cudd and Chancellor Patrick Gallagher, with approval from the Board of Trustees. Throughout the process, the names of candidates will remain confidential.
McCarthy has been a Pitt faculty member since 1998 in the Swanson School’s Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. In 2012, the Swanson School recognized his contributions with its Outstanding Educator Award, and in 2015, McCarthy received the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
— Susan Jones
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