Justin Dandoy, who has been working as director of community affairs in the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs since 2022, is moving to the Division of Student Affairs as the new director of PittServes, effective May 25. 

Dandoy has led the University’s Be A Good Neighbor initiatives, facilitated the Oakland Neighborhood Commitment, and built strong partnerships with community organizations throughout Oakland, the Upper Hill District, and the Greater Pittsburgh area. He has often partnered with PittServes staff to connect students and student organizations with meaningful community-based opportunities. 

Dandoy brings more than 15 years of progressive higher education experience spanning community engagement, student conduct, diversity and inclusion programming, and sustainability leadership.

Before joining Pitt, he served as associate director of student affairs at Penn State Greater Allegheny, where he oversaw co-curricular community engagement, launched identity-focused programs including the Young Black Leadership Storytelling Series, and supported cross-cultural dialogue through the Unity Talks and Crossing Bridges initiatives. Prior to that, he was director of community engagement at Washington & Jefferson College. 

Dandoy earned his Doctor of Education in higher education management from the University of Pittsburgh. He holds a master of arts in student affairs in higher education from Slippery Rock University and a bachelor of arts in political science from Clarion University. He is currently serving as national chairperson of NASPA’s Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Knowledge Community and is a lead editor and research fellow for Campus Compact’s forthcoming competency model for community engagement professionals. 

Most of Dandoy’s free time is spent with his almost 8-year-old daughter, Cecilia, and supporting her many activities, especially music and the arts. He and his wife are also long-suffering Pittsburgh Pirates supporters — she ranks the 2013 wildcard blackout game they attended together as one of her best days ever, ahead of their wedding, and Dandoy says he finds that totally acceptable.