Joshua Centor
Adjunct Faculty Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation
Josh Centor currently serves as Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation. In his role, he oversees intercollegiate athletics, club sports, intramurals, physical education and campus recreation.
Dr. Centor was appointed Director of Athletics in April 2014, following a nine-month appointment as Interim Director. He served as Associate Director of Athletics, from 2012-13, and Assistant Director of Athletics from 2008-2012.
In addition to his role as Director of Athletics, Centor will serve as Interim Associate Dean of Student Affairs Operations for the 2016-17 academic year. In that capacity, Centor will provide oversight for Dining, Housing, Conference and Event Services and the Jared L. Cohon University Center.
Carnegie Mellon has made important strides in athletics facility development during Centor’s tenure. In May 2016, Carnegie Mellon opened a new fitness center as part of the 65,000-square foot expansion to the Jared L. Cohon University Center. Additionally, locker room renovations for football, men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s track and field have also transpired over the past two years.
In 2015-16, the women’s soccer, women’s basketball and men’s tennis programs all advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournaments. The men’s soccer and men’s cross country teams also advanced to their respective NCAA Championships and Carnegie Mellon won three UAA titles and the ECAC Football Legacy Bowl.
This past year, the department launched the Carnegie Mellon Student-Athlete Alumni Mentoring Program, which provides student-athletes with an opportunity to connect with hundreds of former Tartans through a formal program.
Prior to arriving at Carnegie Mellon, 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. He also holds a master’s degree in applied communication from Indiana University, Purdue University-Indianapolis. He is a 2004 graduate of Brandeis University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a minor in international business, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and played four years of varsity baseball.
He is adjunct faculty at Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College and will teach a graduate course on higher education administration this fall.
Centor and his wife Jaye-Lacey are parents of Gabriel, 6, and Lucas, 1. Jaye is the Senior Associate for Executive Engagement at Carnegie Mellon.
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