Nordenberg names new positions

Chancellor Mark Nordenberg recently named two new vice chancellors.

G. Reynolds Clark and… Chancellor Mark Nordenberg recently named two new vice chancellors.

G. Reynolds Clark and Paul Supowitz were both promoted from within the University’s office of community and governmental relations. Clark, who formerly headed the office, now serves as vice chancellor for Community Initiatives, a newly created position.

Supowitz, who served as an associate vice chancellor under Clark, takes over as vice chancellor for Governmental Relations.

Chancellor Nordenberg also named Clark his new chief of staff.

Supowitz, a 1989 graduate of Pitt’s law school, said that his office is responsible for the University’s interaction with government at all levels. Supowitz said his main goal in his new position is “to work hard to enhance the University’s image in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.”

At the state level, Supowitz said his top concern is funding for higher education.

“I think the University is well-regarded in Harrisburg. Nonetheless, Pennsylvania has funded public higher education at lower rates than everywhere else,” he said.

Clark said that his new office will allow for better cooperation between Pitt and the city community.

“I’ve always been very focused on listening to the community and finding ways the University can help the community to realize its goals,” Clark said.

Currently, both the office for community initiatives and the office for governmental relations are working with the city of Pittsburgh to clean up Oakland, Clark and Supowitz said.

“We will get back to our discussions with the mayor’s office about the ‘Redd-Up Campaign,'” added Supowitz, referring to the late Mayor Bob O’Conner’s initiative to make the city’s neighborhoods clean and liveable.

Clark said that he wants to ensure that “students living off campus are living in safe conditions.”