October 14, 2024
Dear Colleagues,
As you know, in July of this year, Ariel C. Armony was named Provost and Executive Vice President at Babson College, effective mid-fall of this year.
Ariel’s leadership of the University Center for International Studies (UCIS) has shaped and elevated Pitt’s global character and status. To continue to build on that momentum, I will be working with the Faculty Senate leadership to establish a search advisory committee. I will charge that group to consider the current structure of Pitt’s global efforts and programming; listen to the perspectives of constituents around the University; and then ask the advisory committee to make a recommendation about the most appropriate structure for the center’s continued leadership, as well as to support achieving Pitt’s global aspirations as articulated within the Plan for Pitt 2028. I will then ask that the committee to conduct a search that reflects those determinations.
In the meantime, I am very pleased to name two co-interim directors, each with particular expertise, to ensure seamless continuity. Allyson Delnore, who currently serves as the Executive Director of Academic Affairs in UCIS, has agreed to serve as the Interim Executive Director of the University Center for International Studies. Jeff Whitehead, who currently serves as the Executive Director of Global Engagement in UCIS, has agreed to serve as the Interim Executive Director of Pitt Global.
They will begin their interim roles effective October 15, 2024.
Allyson Delnore previously served as Associate Director for the European Studies Center for 10 years, including three terms as interim director of that center. Allyson currently oversees the seven global, area, and thematic academic centers under UCIS, as well as the Global Hub. Prior to coming to Pitt, she was an Assistant Professor of History at Mississippi State University. Her research interests revolve around 19th century French imperial and penal policies and practices. Her recent work examines the creation and evolution of European and Area Studies in higher education. She holds a PhD from the University of Virginia.
Jeff Whitehead previously served as the Director of the Study Abroad, then the Global Experiences Office, for 13 years. Prior to that time, he spent five years in the Study Abroad office in a variety of roles, beginning in 2004. Jeff currently oversees the units within global engagement including the Global Experiences Office; the Office of International Services; Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs; Global Risk, Health, Safety, and Security; Global Partnerships; and Global Operations and Services. Jeff is a three-time graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and history as well as two master’s degrees in public and international affairs and business administration.
I sincerely thank both Allyson and Jeff for their willingness to take on these interim roles, and I look forward to working with them.
Please join me in warmly congratulating both Allyson and Jeff.
Best,
Joe
Joseph J. McCarthy
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor
William Kepler Whiteford Professor of Chemical Engineering
University of Pittsburgh