Carissa Schively Slotterback, associate dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, has been selected as the new dean of Pitt’s Graduate School for Public and International Affairs, effective Oct. 1, Provost Ann Cudd announced on July 1.

She will replace John Keeler, who announced last year his intention to return to the faculty after serving as GSPIA’s dean since 2007.

During her 16 years at the University of Minnesota, Slotterback has served in numerous roles. As associate dean of the Humphrey School, she was responsible for leading academic programs and curricula, faculty mentoring and promotion, and research advancement. She also set strategy for and supervised staff teams in academic programs, advising and retention, academic and information technology, and career and professional development.

She also led a school-wide curriculum review that engaged faculty and students, created a new student services leadership team, supported the development of an equity and inclusion plan, and collaborated to advance interdisciplinary initiatives. In addition, she has led a number of university-wide strategic planning efforts, while holding leadership roles with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.

Prior to serving as associate dean, she was the drector of Research Engagement in the Office of the Vice President for Research. Her research is on urban planning, with a focus on environmental and land use planning and policy, public engagement, and sustainability. 

Slotterback earned her Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University, as well as a master’s of City and Regional Planning from Clemson University and a bachelor of arts degree in Individualized Study at Winona State University in Minnesota.

The nationwide search was chaired by Ariel Armony, vice provost for Global Affairs.