University Leadership Building A Vibrant University in Downtown Pittsburgh

Point Park is pursuing a visionary plan to become one of the most dynamic, private urban universities in the country. Follow the links below for biographical information about each member of the University's leadership team:

Chris W. Brussalis

President 

Chris W. Brussalis is the ninth president of Point Park University. He has served in this role since February 2023. Brussalis also serves as adjunct professor of management and policy at the Heinz College of Carnegie Mellon University. He served as longtime president and later chairman of The Hill Group Inc., a national management consulting firm. As an engaged scholar-practitioner for over 33 years, Brussalis has taught at the graduate level, provided advice and counsel to numerous Fortune 500 corporations, governments, large institutions, including many colleges and universities, and served in higher education executive leadership roles.

Dr. Brussalis has a longstanding commitment to public service, having served on and led many regional and national boards. He currently serves on the boards of the Live Like Lou Foundation (vice chair), Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, American Society for Competitiveness, and Leadership Pittsburgh (past chair). Brussalis served on the boards of Point Park University, ALS Association, Regional Learning Alliance (chair), Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity (president), Phi Delta Theta Foundation, Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall (chair), CONTACT Pittsburgh, and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Small Business Council. He also managed the New Idea Factory in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, the largest economic development transition effort of a metropolitan region in the history of the United States at the time.

Recognized for community engagement, Dr. Brussalis was selected as one of the “Pittsburgh Power 100,” highlighting the Pittsburgh region’s most influential leaders. He also received a “C-Suite Award” as an outstanding executive who made an impact in his organization and the region. The Pittsburgh Business Times selected Brussalis as one of the Pittsburgh region’s “Top 20 Changemakers” and “Fast Trackers,” and Pittsburgh Magazine recognized him as “40 Under 40” and “Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest.” Brussalis received a “Blue Citation” from Allegheny College for a lifetime of outstanding service to his alma mater, and he was inducted into the Elizabeth Forward High School Hall of Fame. Brussalis was also selected by the Secretary of the Air Force as one of 100 distinguished American leaders to attend the forty-seventh annual National Security Forum at the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base.

Dr. Brussalis is a graduate and former board chair of Leadership Pittsburgh, a network of regional leaders and decision makers, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College, master’s degree in public and business administration from the University of Illinois, and doctorate in higher education administration from Northeastern University. He and his wife, Christina have four children and reside north of Pittsburgh.

Michael Soto

Provost, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Michael Soto serves as Point Park University's provost and senior vice president of
academic affairs. As the chief academic officer of the University, he oversees all academic programs, faculty, academic support staff, departments of student affairs, registrar, institutional research and planning and the library.

A native of South Texas, Soto holds a Ph.D. in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University and a B.A. in Modern Thought and Literature from Stanford University.

Prior to his current role, Soto was associate vice president for academic affairs and professor of English at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He is the author of six books and many articles on 20th century U.S. literature and cultural history.

Ted Black

Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Strategy

Ted Black joined Point Park in April 2023 and serves as Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Strategy. He oversees alumni affairs and development, external relations, and strategic initiatives. A Pittsburgh native, Black earned a B.A. from Allegheny College and a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Black most recently spent six years as president and CEO of the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, completing some of the most transformative projects in the Center’s history such as the PNC Innovation Zone, a nationally recognized learning lab that uses video games as a platform for educational and vocational development. Black previously spent many years as part of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ core management team hired by Mario Lemieux. He also was vice president and general manager for Regional Sports Network FSN Pittsburgh before leaving the area to become president of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.

Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations

Bridget Mancosh was appointed to the position of senior vice president of finance and operations/chief financial officer for Point Park University in September 2006.  She has served in the Finance area of the University since 1998.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Clarion University and an executive MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.

As the senior vice president and chief financial officer of the University, she is responsible for the development of the University’s operating and capital budgets, financial reporting, financing decisions, enrollment management, human resources, information technology, student financial services, and all facility capital projects and operations of the University.  Ms. Mancosh is a certified public accountant, previously working for Deloitte & Touche. There, she worked in various industries including manufacturing, not for profits, health care and communications. She has also worked in banking in the corporate lending area.

Ms. Mancosh and her husband have four children and reside in Wexford, Pa.

Keith A. Paylo

Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs

Keith Paylo oversees the student experience outside of the classroom at Point Park University, which includes 28 different areas of the university such as residential life, student activities, co-curricular and cooperative education, study abroad and athletics.

Paylo's first brush with higher education came when he started as an undergraduate at Robert Morris University. He dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player, but soon learned that his passion was in higher education. Following graduation, he worked for his alma mater in enrollment management for thirteen years, influencing each new class of students on an administrative level. Wanting a more personal connection students, Paylo accepted the position of Senior Director of Student Services and eventually Dean of Students at Point Park in 2003.

During his time at Point Park, Paylo has witnessed the University transform. As the University has grown, so has Paylo's impact on the student experience, implementing an orientation program, growing residential life and new student activities like the Campus Activities Board. Even with all that he's done for campus, he cites the University's energy and dynamic student body as the motivation to continue to strive for success every day.

Paylo holds a bachelor of science in business administration and an MBA, both from Robert Morris University.

He resides in South Park, PA with his wife and their two children. 

Marlin Collingwood

Vice President of Enrollment Management

Marlin Collingwood joined Point Park in April 2023 as Vice President of Enrollment Management. With more than thirty years of experience in marketing, enrollment and public relations, Collingwood oversees all enrollment management, enrollment marketing and recruitment of new, first-year students as well as all transfer and international students. A western Pennsylvania native, he earned a B.A. in Communication & Political Science from Anderson University in Indiana. Prior to coming to Point Park, he served as Vice President of Communications, Enrollment & Student Life at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire.

Collingwood previously served as Managing Director of the U.S. operations for Bell Pottinger, a London-based global public relations firm, as well as Senior Vice President/Director of Public Relations for Mullen Advertising & Public Relations in Pittsburgh.

Justin Delecki

Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel

Justin Delecki came to Point Park in 2018 and was eventually named Assistant General Counsel in 2023 before being named to his current role in October 2024.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Niagara University, a J.D. from Ohio Northern University, and an MBA from Point Park. He is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the University Risk Management & Insurance Association.

Prior to his time at Point Park, Delecki worked at a boutique law firm as a litigation associate.

As Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel, Delecki provides legal advice on a broad range of issues, including academic affairs, employment, intellectual property, and student matters.

He lives in the North Hills with his wife, Christina, and their two children.

Natalie Rice

Vice President of Human Resources

Natalie Rice has served as Vice President of Human Resources since October 2022. In this role she oversees comprehensive Human Resource services in the areas of selection and employment, compensation and benefits administration, employee and labor relations, performance management, employee development, and student employment opportunities. Over the past decade Rice has held various roles in the Human Resources Department at Point Park, including Director and Assistant Vice President/University Insurance.

Rice brings more than 25 years of Human Resources experience from roles at several other for-profit and non-profit companies. Rice holds a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s in Business Administration from Robert Morris University.

Ms. Rice and her husband have two sons and reside in Leechburg, PA.

Scott Swain

Vice President of Athletics

Scott Swain serves as Point Park University’s Vice President of Athletics. Swain joined Point Park in January 2024. In his role, Swain is responsible for the daily management and long-term planning for the Department of Athletics, overseeing 17 intercollegiate sports.

He earned a B.S. in Education at Ohio State University and his M.S. in Sports Studies at Miami University (Ohio).

Prior to Point Park, Swain served as Vice President for Athletics, Recreation & Campus Facilities at Notre Dame College in Ohio. He was in charge of the athletics program there for more than a decade and was one of the founding athletic directors of the Mountain East Conference in NCAA Division II. He also served as chairman of the MEC’s Committee of Athletic Administrators and on the Board of Directors of the NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association.

View the Point Park University Board of Trustees.