Carla Panzella, who has been serving as acting vice provost for student affairs since January, removed the acting tag as of June 1, Provost Joe McCarthy announced.

She replaces Kenyon Bonner, who left Pitt in January to become vice president and chief student affairs officer at the University of Virginia. The national search for a replacement — led by Nicola Foote, dean of the Frederick Honors College, and Clyde Wilson Pickett, vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion — began in November after Bonner announced his intentions to step down.

“I believe that Carla’s leadership in this role will continue to be just what is needed for Student Affairs as they continue to build a vibrant, nurturing and inclusive environment for students at Pitt, and as she carries on her strong commitment to championing student engagement in shared governance,” McCarthy said in his announcement.

Panzella came to Pitt in August 2021 as dean of students and added the title of associate vice provost in December 2022. She was integral in implementing a division-wide reorganization for Student Affairs to create departments, programs and services to meet students where they are.

She has more than 20 years of student affairs experience. Prior to joining Pitt, she was the senior student affairs officer serving as the associate vice president for student life and dean of students at Salem State University in Salem, Mass.

She holds a Ph.D. 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,” a master’s degree in organizational psychology and leadership from the Teachers College of Columbia University, and a bachelor’s in psychology from Saint Peter’s University. She has taught psychology courses at previous institutions and is currently teaching in the School of Education.

A formal search for a new dean of students will be conducted. In the interim, Lorraine Craven, who joined Pitt in September 2023 as assistant dean for student experience, will serve as the interim dean of students. Craven has had an 18-year career in higher education, including in student affairs and enrollment management, and notably served as chief student affairs officer for the Penn State Greater Allegheny Campus.