3 minute read
Campus names new president
Dr. Catherine Koverola has served at colleges and universities all over the world. However, it’s not about the places but the people, which is why she’s so excited to be a part of Pitt-Bradford and the surrounding community.
“I love life in rural communities, and the vibrant engagement at a small campus is truly invigorating,” she said. “There is an authenticity and warmth that you rarely find in other places.”
On April 1, Koverola was named Pitt-Bradford’s fourth president – and its first woman – by University of Pittsburgh Provost Dr. Ann Cudd. Like her predecessor, Dr. Livingston Alexander, who retired last year, Koverola will serve as president of the university’s Titusville campus as well.
She came to Pitt-Bradford from the African Leadership University, located on the island nation of Mauritius, where she served as the inaugural provost and chief academic officer of a multi-campus university, serving students from across the African continent.
She brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education with a commitment to academic excellence and student success. Koverola is deeply committed to building and cultivating community partnerships and has a strong track record in this regard.
When announcing Koverola’s appointment, Cudd said, “Dr. Koverola’s exceptional experience in the needs of students and of rural communities, as well as relationship building and innovation within those spaces, is as impressive as it is substantive.”
In the short time Koverola has been on campus – she officially started on June 1 – she has begun building relationships and feeling the warmth that exists at Pitt-Bradford and in the surrounding community. For example, instead of having faculty and staff come to her office for meetings, she’s going to theirs, where she can get to know them in a more relaxed, comfortable setting and hear what matters most to them.
Koverola is also genuinely interested in getting to know community members, attending events and being an active part of her new hometown.
Coming to Pitt-Bradford was a perfect fit for her and her husband.
First and foremost, Koverola wholeheartedly believes in the transformative power of higher education and the need to make it accessible to everyone. She is a champion of academic excellence and brings a global perspective and lifelong commitment to building diverse and inclusive communities.
She found especially attractive Pitt- Bradford’s strength in working with first-generation students and students from diverse backgrounds.
Koverola thinks Pitt-Bradford is a special place. “To me, it’s really apparent. Having worked at both large research institutions and smaller colleges, I know the opportunity to now serve at a small intimate campus while also being part of a larger worldrenowned university is an absolutely incredible privilege.”
Koverola has brought with her many ideas to help bolster what she calls “the phenomenal potential that we have at Pitt-Bradford” and is looking forward to working with the community to develop programs and initiatives to support economic development as well as position Pitt- Bradford graduates for tremendous success.
With President Emeritus Richard McDowell.
Photo by Glenn Melvin '04
From a personal perspective, Koverola is in the perfect place because she and her husband, Ian Commissiong (pronounced KAHmah-jong), a mixed media artist, love the outdoors and the change of seasons and look forward to spending time outside.
They are both very excited for their adult daughter Natasha, who currently lives in England, to visit and meet the Pitt-Bradford community.
With Dean of Academic Affairs Steve Hardin.
Photo by Glenn Melvin '04
The two also support arts and athletic events and plan to share that enthusiasm while enjoying events in Bromeley Family Theater and cheering on the Panthers in the KOA Arena and the Kessel Athletic Complex.
Koverola knows it will take time to get to know everyone and for everyone to get to know her, but she’s excited about moving forward and helping to shape the future of Pitt-Bradford and the community.
