Dr. Karin Asher has served as the inaugural Assistant Dean for Student Engagement and Professional Development since July 2022.
Prior to this role, Dr. Asher served as interim director of Pitt’s Career Center, after spending nearly ten years as the associate director. During that time, she helped to grow the programs and services of the Career Center to assist Pitt students by forming collaborative partnerships across campus. In the Career Center, she oversaw major changes to Pitt’s First Destination data collection process by aligning it with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) guidelines, and she has worked to create access across campus to more comprehensive data about where Pitt graduates go on to work and continue their educations. She has also worked to create and grow programs, including the Career Champions program, which offers training to faculty and advisors on career advising issues for students and improved partnerships with academic schools and advising staff.
Dr. Asher received her BA from Wittenberg University, her MA from the Pennsylvania State University, and her EdD from the University of Pittsburgh. Her research and practitioner interests are in enhancing the use of data to understand patterns in student engagement with resources and services and ensuring access to these services across all populations of students.
Karin began her Student Affairs career in the fields of Residence Life and New Student Programs. She is committed to strengthening partnerships throughout and beyond the Division of Student Affairs and enjoys using those relationships to enhance student opportunities for success at Pitt. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors, exploring Pittsburgh’s nooks and crannies, spending time with her partner and kids, and hiking with their dog, Frannie.
