Darlene F. Zellers, PhD

Darlene F. Zellers, PhD, is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Career Development, Health Sciences; director of the Office of Academic Career Development (OACD), Health Sciences; director of the Center for Postdoctoral Affairs in the Health Sciences; and associate dean for postdoctoral affairs in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

In her leadership role with the OACD, she is responsible for developing professional career development programs and services for biomedical scientists and clinicians within the University’s six schools of the health sciences. The OACD serves the University’s academic health science community, including graduate and medical students, postdoctoral fellows, residents, clinical fellows, and faculty at every level of experience, by providing full-spectrum academic career development guidance, training, and support.

With regard to postdoctoral affairs, she is additionally responsible for overseeing postdoctoral training and professional career development across the schools of the health sciences.

Darlene joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1995 as director of the Office of Summer Sessions and Continuing Education, and, in 1997, became associate dean of continuing education and summer programs in the College of General Studies. She previously held administrative posts at the Community College of Allegheny County and Duquesne University. Throughout Darlene’s career, she has held leadership roles in continuing education professional organizations, has been recognized by the College Board Office of Adult Learning Services as a leading practitioner in continuing education, and has received national awards for academic program development and marketing. She has published in the fields of continuing higher education and professional career development and her research interests are academic cultures, professional career development, and program development. Darlene received a BS in individual and family studies from the Pennsylvania State University. She received an MA in administrative and policy studies and a PhD in higher education administration from the University of Pittsburgh.