Bio

Josh Centor brings nearly two decades of leadership experience to Carnegie Mellon University, where he currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Athletics. His extensive tenure at Carnegie Mellon has been marked by significant achievements in both athletics administration and campus engagement. Entering his 13th year at the helm of the Carnegie Mellon Athletics Department, Josh oversees a broad portfolio that includes intercollegiate athletics, club sports, intramurals, physical education, and campus recreation. He was appointed Director of Athletics in April 2014, following prior roles as Interim Director, Associate Director (2012–2013), and Assistant Director (2008–2012).

In July 2017, Josh's role expanded as he was appointed Associate Vice President for Campus Engagement. This position includes oversight of the Jared L. Cohon University Center, Community Engagement and Leadership Development office, and the Office of Student Involvement and Traditions. Josh has previously provided oversight for Dining Services, Housing Services, and Conference and Event Services.

Under his guidance, Carnegie Mellon Athletics has reached unprecedented success. In 2024–25, the university celebrated three individual national championships in men’s swimming, a national runner-up finish in women’s golf, a fifth-place national finish for men’s golf, and a sixth-place finish for men’s swimming. CMU also achieved a top-16 national finish in the Learfield Directors’ Cup for the fourth consecutive year. These accomplishments follow back-to-back NCAA team titles in 2023 (men’s golf) and 2024 (women’s golf).

In recognition of his leadership, Josh was named a 2024–25 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year, a national honor awarded by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics that recognizes excellence in athletics administration across all divisions.

Josh has been instrumental in advancing facilities development at Carnegie Mellon, playing a key role in securing a $35 million grant from Highmark Inc. for the construction of a new 160,000-square-foot student health, wellness, and athletics center, which opened in Fall 2024. He has also overseen expansions such as the fitness center in the Tepper School of Business building (2018) and the Jared L. Cohon University Center (2016).

Josh holds a Ph.D. in higher education management from the University of Pittsburgh, focusing his research on strategic planning and resource allocation in elite private universities. He also earned a master’s degree in applied communication from Indiana University, Purdue University-Indianapolis, and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Brandeis University, where he played varsity baseball and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Additionally, he has served as an adjunct faculty member at Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College, teaching a graduate course in higher education administration.

On a personal note, Josh and his wife Jaye-Lacey are proud parents of Gabriel, Lucas, and Layla. Jaye-Lacey serves as the Director of University Events at Carnegie Mellon.