Kenyon Bonner, vice provost for Student Affairs, has announced the hiring of Carla Panzella as the new dean of students beginning Aug. 2, 2021.

Panzella has been at Salem State University in Salem, Mass., since 2016, most recently as associate vice president for student life and dean of students. There, she developed a bias response and prevention team and a new case management system for students in response to COVID-19.

Previously, she was associate vice president for student life and development at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, N.J. — the senior student affairs officer for the institution. She oversaw counseling, dining services, health services, recreation life, student activities and the student center and also helped the university plan new residence halls.

Panzella holds a Ph.D. in higher education from Seton Hall University, where she completed her dissertation on “Postsecondary Pathways: A Study of Low-income Black and Latino Students.” She earned her master’s in organizational psychology and leadership from the Teachers College of Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Peter’s.

In February, the University announced that Bonner, as a part of a restructuring, would take on a new role as vice provost for student affairs and step away from his role as dean of students. In his new role, Bonner will serve as the liaison to Student Affairs for Pitt’s regional campuses and join the chancellor’s senior leadership team. Bonner will advise Pitt leaders on student affairs and continue his efforts on improving diversity, equity and inclusion at Pitt.