Josh Centor, Ph.D.
Josh Centor, Ph.D.
  • Title:
    Associate Vice President of Student Affairs / Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation
  • Phone:
    412-268-8054
  • Email:
    jcentor@andrew.cmu.edu

Bio

Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Athletics Josh Centor enters his 11th year at the helm of the Carnegie Mellon Athletics Department. He oversees intercollegiate athletics, club sports, intramurals, physical education and campus recreation. Dr. Centor was appointed Director of Athletics in April 2014, following nine months as Interim Director. He served as Associate Director of Athletics, from 2012-13, and Assistant Director of Athletics from 2008-12.

In July 2017, Dr. Centor was named Associate Vice President for Community Engagement, following a year as Interim Associate Dean of Student Affairs Operations. In addition to responsibilities as Director of Athletics, he provides leadership for Dining Services, the Jared L. Cohon University Center and SLICE (Student Leadership, Involvement and Civic Engagement). In his capacity as Associate Dean, Dr. Centor had oversight for Dining, the Cohon Center, Housing Services and Conference and Event Services.

Under Centor’s leadership, Carnegie Mellon Athletics has developed into one of the nation’s most competitive programs. The Tartans finished 14th in the 2022-23 Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, the best performance in the university’s history. During the 2022-23 academic year, the Tartans won the first NCAA team championship in school history when the men’s golf program won the national title. Also that year, all six fall teams made their respective NCAA tournaments for the first time in CMU history.

Over the past four years, the Tartans have had six teams finish in the top four at NCAA Championships. In 2022, the football program went 10-0 during the regular season and won its second consecutive PAC Championship.

In addition to its competitiveness, Carnegie Mellon has also made important strides in athletics facility development during Dr. Centor’s tenure. The university received a $35M grant from Highmark Inc. to support the construction of a new student health, wellness and athletics center. The 160,000-square-foot building is expected to open in Fall 2024. In July 2018, Carnegie Mellon opened a fitness center within the new Tepper School of Business building. In May 2016, the university opened a new fitness center as part of the 65,000-square foot expansion to the Jared L. Cohon University Center.

The Tartans have advanced a number of strategic initiatives over the past few years, including the expansion of the intercollegiate program with the addition of women’s golf and softball. Centor has also overseen the launch of the Athletics Hall of Fame, which inducted its inaugural class in 2019. The Tartans have also developed the Carnegie Mellon Student-Athlete Alumni Mentoring Program and Tartan Leaders of Tomorrow program during Centor’s tenure.

Prior to arriving at Carnegie Mellon, Dr. Centor worked at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis from 2005-08. At the NCAA, he started the Association’s New Media department and worked closely with NCAA President Myles Brand on multiple initiatives. He helped launch Champion Magazine and served as an advisor to the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Dr. Centor received his Ph.D. in higher education management from the University of Pittsburgh. His dissertation research focused on strategic planning and resource allocation at elite private universities in the United States. He also holds a master’s degree in applied communication from Indiana University, Purdue University-Indianapolis. A 2004 graduate from Brandeis University, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with a minor in international business, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and played four years of varsity baseball.

Dr. Centor has an adjunct faculty appointment at Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College and has taught a graduate course on higher education administration.

Dr. Centor and his wife Jaye-Lacey are parents of Gabriel, Lucas and Layla. Jaye is the Director of University Events at Carnegie Mellon.