Justin Dandoy was named director of PittServes

Justin Dandoy will join the University of Pittsburgh Division of Student Affairs as the new director of PittServes, effective May 25.

In his most recent role as director of community affairs in Pitt’s Office of Engagement and Community Affairs, Dandoy (EDUC ’20G) 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. In that role, he has served as a close collaborator with Student Affairs, partnering regularly with PittServes staff and connecting 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 cocurricular community engagement, launched identity-focused programs like the Young Black Leadership Storytelling Series and supported cross-cultural dialogue through the Unity Talks and Crossing Bridges initiatives. Prior to that, as director of community engagement at Washington and Jefferson College, he successfully elevated volunteer programming into a standalone Office of Community Engagement within the Division of Student Affairs, secured grant funding and developed service-learning partnerships with faculty and community organizations.

Dandoy earned his Doctor of Education in higher education management from the University, where his dissertation focused on partnership and place-based community engagement competencies. 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 currently serves 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.

“Justin’s deep roots in the Pittsburgh community, his scholarship in the field and his passion for creating transformational student experiences through civic engagement make him an outstanding addition to our team,” said Carla Panzella, vice provost for student affairs, in a May 4 announcement.