Pitt’s Dietrich School and College of General Studies honored longtime staff

Staff members from the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and the College of General Studies were recognized for reaching milestones of five, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40 and 50 years of service to the University of Pittsburgh on Sept. 27.

Adam Leibovich, Bettye J. and Ralph E. Bailey Dean of both units, hosted the celebration at the University Club along with Jessica Hatherill, director of administration for the Dietrich School. Both expressed appreciation for the dedication and excellence of the honorees, some of whom have spent their entire careers at Pitt.

“Over the summer, my dean’s team and I took part in a retreat where we discussed our goals. We talked about our plans for the school and how to translate those hopes into actions,” Leibovich said in his opening remarks. “At the end of the day, it was apparent that the foundation of everything we wanted to do came down to creating a culture at the Dietrich School and CGS that encourages people to succeed.

“We want to be a place where people feel respected and included. Where collaboration and communication are valued, and where new ideas are welcomed. While I don’t expect us to be lucky enough to retain every staff member for 10, 20 or 30 years, I want us to work together to create an environment where everyone can thrive for as long as they choose to stay.”

This year’s honored faculty are listed by years of service below.

5 years

• Joseph Begley, engineering technician in Shared Research Support Services
• Swagatika Bhattacharya, foundations lab technician in the Department of Biological Sciences
• Ricky Campbell, costume shop manager in the Department of Theatre Arts
• Meg Caruso, senior academic coordinator in the Social Sciences Division
• Derek Fischer, senior director for undergraduate studies and the College of General Studies
• Maryellen Gannon, director of operations for undergraduate studies and the College of General Studies
• Joni George, administrator for the Pittsburgh Particle Physics, Astrophysics, and Cosmology Center
• Antonio Glaze, training and program coordinator for the Dietrich School
• Cynthia Graf, department coordinator in the Department of Economics
• Santana Lardo, research specialist in the Department of Biological Sciences
• Madison MacDonald, neuropsychology research assistant in Pitt’s Brain Aging and Cognitive Health Lab
• Laura Nelson, assistant director of the Dietrich School’s Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
• Taylor Pipkin, social sciences division events manager

10 years

• Shawn Artman, machine shop supervisor in Shared Research Support Services
• Sarah Boyko, Department of Psychology
• Carol Cawley, academic operations manager in the Departments of Mathematics and Statistics
• Karen Foley, clinical research nurse in the Department of Psychology
• Christie Hay, graduate student administrator
• Mary Napoli, director of the Study Lab and the McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success
• Matt Schultz, advisor in the Dietrich School
• Amy Wildman, director of data analytics and technology solutions for the Dietrich School
• John Willard, director of payroll for the Dietrich School

20 years

• Jennifer Crossan, Department of Psychology
• Dawna Kasper, sponsored projects administrator for the Dietrich School
• Wynn Maloney, academic operations manager in the Social Sciences Division
• Lesa Skukan, assistant director of the College in High School program

25 years

• Louis Coban, manager of Allegheny Observatory
• Jennifer Stapel, associate director of advising in the Department of Psychology
• Rich Swiden, facilities in the Pymatuning Laboratory of Ecology

30 years

• Kristin Hopkins, fiscal director in the Humanities Division
• Cassandra Kennedy-Carter, office administrator for the Dietrich School and College of General Studies
• Lisa Lang, director of executive operations for the Dietrich School

40 years

• Susan Crain, director of the Dietrich School’s Office of Student Records
• Dave Emala, electronics shop supervisor in Shared Research Support Services
• Charles Fleishaker, engineering technician in Shared Research Support Services
• Lisa Kubick, director of graduate school admissions for the Dietrich School
• Evon Nigro, administrative officer in the Department of Chemistry

50 years

• Cathy Barr, graduate administrator for the Department of Biological Sciences