By SUSAN JONES

 

The University of Pittsburgh has named JW Tabacchi, who most recently served as senior director of student affairs at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, as its first Title VI coordinator and director of equal opportunity.

 

The University said the new role will strengthen efforts to make sure that students, faculty and staff have a place to turn when they experience discrimination.

 

Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance. The statute has received renewed attention during the second Trump administration. 

 

In March 2025 the administration sent letters to 60 universities warning them of “potential enforcement actions” for violations of Title VI, relating to alleged antisemitic discrimination and harassment. Almost all of the cases that were brought by the administration were eventually dismissed. The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights also has accused other schools of violating Title VI by using race and other protected characteristics in their hiring and promotion practices. 

 

In his new role at Pitt, Tabacchi, who started in July, oversees complaints tied to protected classes and works to ensure a fair, consistent process for members of the Pitt community. 

 

The University said the position aligns with a recommendation from the University’s Working Group on Antisemitism. Chancellor Joan Gabel said in her response after the working group’s report was released this summer that efforts were already underway to “strengthen institutional coordination, clarity and responsiveness regarding Title VI matters.” 

 

Under the new structure, Title VI compliance functions will be within the Office of Compliance, Investigations and Ethics, which will be responsible for receiving reports, initiating investigations, tracking compliance and overseeing reporting under Title VI and other civil rights authorities. 

 

Even though this role is new, Title VI complaints, which fall under Pitt’s nondiscrimination policy, have always been investigated by the University, a Pitt spokesperson said. 

 

Tabacchi told Pittwire that the role reflects a renewed federal focus on Title VI and that the Office of the Chancellor has made the work a priority across Pitt’s five campuses. His position is situated within the Office of Compliance, Investigations and Ethics, and involves an ongoing, close partnership with the Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing, led by Vice Chancellor Clyde Wilson Pickett, on education and outreach.

 

Tabacchi said his position has a dotted-line relationship to Pickett’s office, and the two will meet regularly to coordinate directly as the work unfolds. Tabacchi said his office will handle the complaint process while working continuously with Pickett’s team to identify where the community could use support and training.

 

"It’s going to be more collaborative, which I’m looking forward to," Tabacchi said on Pittwire, adding that he and Pickett earned their doctorates together at Pitt. "We’re going to be working together to figure out where the needs are for the community."

 

Tabacchi grew up in Oakmont and earned his doctorate from the School of Education in 2017. He has spent most of his career in student affairs, with earlier roles at Penn State New Kensington and Point Park University.

 

In his first year, Tabacchi said his priorities are building a clear, equitable process and making sure the community knows where to go for support, which is why he’s planning a campus-wide listening tour to introduce the office and hear directly from community members. 

 

Anyone who believes they have experienced discrimination can file a report through the Pitt Concern Connection reporting system.

 

“People need to feel heard, and they need to feel supported, and they need to know that whenever they’re feeling that type of discrimination, there’s a place to go where they can receive resources and receive a process to resolve that,” Tabacchi said on Pittwire.

 

He encouraged community members to contact him directly with questions or concerns. His office can be reached at titlevicoordinator@pitt.edu.

 

Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.

 

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