By SUSAN JONES
The University of Pittsburgh has several ties to the incoming administration of Pennsylvania Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro, starting with his running mate Austin Davis.
Davis, who will be the state’s first Black lieutenant governor, is a 2012 graduate of Pitt–Greensburg with a degree in political science. He was awarded the regional campus’ Alumnus of Distinction award in 2019. During the transition, the McKeesport native who has served in the state House since 2018 will head the personnel committee. This involves reviewing hundreds of candidates for cabinet secretaries, deputies and other administration appointees.
Shapiro and Davis will be sworn in to their new positions on Jan. 17, 2023.
Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher also will serve on the transition team as chair of the Advisory Committee for Education and Workforce. This committee is split into three groups: Pre-K to 12; Higher Education; and Workforce Development. Prior to coming to Pitt, Gallagher served in the federal government for several years, including as acting deputy secretary of commerce.
Gallagher said in a statement that he is “grateful for this opportunity and honored to be selected to shape the commonwealth’s priorities in these key areas.”
Also serving on the transition team is Everette James, associate vice chancellor for health policy and planning, Health Sciences, and professor of health policy and management in the Pitt School of Public Health. James was Pennsylvania secretary of health from 2008-10. He will be on the healthcare panel under the Advisory Committee on Health and Human Services.
Katherine Himes, an associate professor of in the School of Medicine’s OB/GYN and reproductive sciences department, is serving on Shapiro’s Inaugural Committee.
And there’s just one more Pitt connection to Shapiro. His daughter, Sophia Shapiro, is a junior urban studies major who also serves as a member of the undergraduate Student Government Board. She was featured recently in Teen Vogue, discussing the Students for Shapiro campaign she organized.
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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