President's Cabinet
The president's cabinet is critical in the University's pursuit to become one of the most dynamic, private urban universities in the country. Learn more about the team:
Shari Payne
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Shari Payne serves as Point Park University's Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Payne brings a diverse array of professional teaching and leadership experience in higher education, working in the areas of enrollment, academic operations, financial aid and student support. Throughout her career, she has focused on providing an exceptional experience for students and fostered collaboration across university departments to implement improvements.
Prior to joining Point Park, Dr. Payne served as the vice president of enrollment at Waynesburg University, where her key accomplishments included executing a multi-state recruiting strategy that resulted in the university's most geographically and ethnically diverse class in fall 2022 and creating a new, data-informed financial aid awarding strategy.
Dr. Payne is a Class XXXIX graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh and serves on the Peters Township School District Board of School Directors.
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.
Bridget Mancosh
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.
Chris Choncek
Associate Vice President of Institutional Research and Planning
Chris Choncek currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Institutional Research and Planning at Point Park University, where he also fulfills the role of Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO). In his capacity as Associate Vice President, he oversees the collection, analysis, and interpretation of institutional data to guide strategic decision-making and planning. As the ALO, Chris plays a pivotal role in ensuring the university maintains compliance with accreditation standards and successfully navigates accreditation processes.
With over 30 years of dedicated service to Point Park University, Chris has held a variety of roles, including Project Manager, Interim Registrar, Instructor, Accreditation Peer Evaluator, and leadership support for the Center for Student Success.
Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in experimental psychology from University of Hartford. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Administration and Leadership at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Chris resides in Kittanning, PA, with his wife and their three children.
View the Point Park University Board of Trustees.