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Fairleigh Dickinson University announced on April 29 that it appointed Robert Pignatello as first senior vice president for university operations.

Pignatello will be a member of the senior leadership team and will report directly to the president. He will begin at FDU on June 1, 2021.

“This is a key appointment and one that will have a major impact on our future growth and development,” said University President Christopher Capuano. “The senior vice president for university operations will be responsible for many non-academic matters on the New Jersey campuses, including facilities, student affairs, athletics, student counseling and health services, and public safety, to name a few.”

Capuano added, “Dr. Pignatello brings to FDU an impressive range of experiences in higher education, and I am confident that he will make many valuable contributions to our community.”

Pignatello most recently served as senior advisor to the chancellor of the Pennsylvania System of Higher Education for Integration Strategy, a pivotal position in the plan to merge smaller institutions within that state. Prior to that, he served three years as the president of Lock Haven University, where he was very effective in building the university’s profile and highlighting its role and impact in the region.

Pignatello has served in many other prominent roles, including as senior vice president for finance and administration and chief operating officer at Hunter College (City University of New York), and senior vice president for finance and administration and chief operating officer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (City University of New York). In addition, he has had significant experience as a local elected official and government-relations representative.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Pignatello has spent most of his life living in the Garden State. He has an Ed.D. in higher education leadership and management from Saint Peter’s University, a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University Graduate School, and a B.A. in political science and public administration from Montclair State University.