August 12, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to share an exciting development that reflects the University of Pittsburgh’s ongoing commitment to both academic excellence and innovation in digital education.
Effective July 1, Pitt Online has officially merged with the University’s Center for Excellence in Digital Education (Pitt EDGE). This integration marks a significant step forward in our strategic initiative to expand high-quality online learning and build the internal capacity needed to meet the evolving demands of today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce.
Under the leadership of Associate Provost for Digital Education Anthony Delitto, Interim Executive Director of Digital Learning and Innovation Rae Mancilla, and Executive Director of Marketing and Communications Natalie Baney, Pitt EDGE now unites the University’s instructional design expertise and digital learning infrastructure under one forward-looking initiative. Stephen Butler will continue to oversee a portion of the instructional design team in support of the Pitt Professional effort as well as online courses for residential students and internal training programs, ensuring continuity and focus as we leverage Pitt’s growing portfolio of online and hybrid offerings to serve the broadest possible population.
Pitt EDGE, established in the fall of 2024, has been working in close partnership with schools across campus. In addition to instructional design, the center offers services in market analysis, academic planning, paid media, enrollment support, quality assurance and compliance, and industry partnerships—equipping Pitt to build innovative, sustainable, and high-impact online and hybrid programs.
Importantly, this merger does not affect the University Center for Teaching and Learning’s work going forward. It will remain the primary resource for residential teaching support, continuing to provide a significant portfolio of services such as one-on-one consultations, assessment support, inclusive teaching workshops, and learning communities.
This transition reflects our investment in a sustainable, student-centered hub-and-spoke model for digital learning—and our belief in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change.
I extend my sincere thanks to Tony Delitto, Stephen Butler, and both the Pitt EDGE and Pitt Online teams for their thoughtful leadership and hard work. I also want to welcome all those who have newly joined the Pitt EDGE family as part of this reconfiguration. I look forward to the innovation and excellence that will grow from this unified effort as we continue to elevate the digital learning experience at Pitt.
Regards,
Joe
Joseph J. McCarthy
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor
William Kepler Whiteford Professor
University of Pittsburgh