Jay Darr will serve as senior strategic advisor to Pitt’s vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion

Effective Jan. 21, Jay Darr will join the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) as senior strategic advisor to Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Clyde Pickett.

Since joining the University of Pittsburgh in 2019 as director of the University Counseling Center (UCC), Darr has been an invaluable member of the Student Affairs team. In 2022, he was promoted to serve as the inaugural associate dean of student wellness, where he has made a lasting impact on student well-being.

Under his leadership, the UCC expanded its services to support students more broadly, including beginning the Higher Education Assessment and Response Team, introducing embedded clinicians in residence halls and two schools, eliminating wait times, expanding clinical services and championing the UCC’s partnership in the development and ongoing operations of the Wellness and Resilience course. Additionally, Darr led the diversification of the clinical staff and implemented the post-master licensure track program.

As associate dean, he oversaw the reimagining of the Concern, Assessment, Response and Education team, expanded Student Health Services, advanced the partnership with Financial Aid to include the Center for Financial Wellness and supported Campus Recreation during construction of the new Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

In his new role, Darr will serve as a key strategic partner and high-level liaison, representing the vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion on critical University-wide initiatives. This senior role supports the implementation of the Plan for Pitt and OEDI’s strategic plan by fostering collaboration, advising on policy and programmatic initiatives, and coordinating with University leaders to promote an inclusive and equitable campus culture.

Dean Marlin Nabors will outline plans for ongoing supervision and additional resources while a national search is conducted for a new leader for the Student Affairs’ wellness team.