David Dausey Inaugurated as Duquesne President

The 51-year-old academic has officially taken the helm of the Pittsburgh institution following an autumn ceremony.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in People

Gothic-style stone archway and clock tower of a university building in Pittsburgh under golden autumn light. — David Dausey has officially assumed his role as the 14th president of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, following a career as an academic leader. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe a college degree is still essential for long-term career success today?

David Dausey has been inaugurated as the 14th president of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He officially assumed the leadership role on July 1, 2026, after serving for eight years as the university's provost and executive vice president.

Why it matters

Dausey is tasked with addressing the national trend of declining perceived value regarding college degrees. His appointment follows his successful launch of the school's medical college, which began operations in 2024.

Dausey, 51, previously managed the university's response to the pandemic and oversaw the three-year development project to open the Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The players

David Dausey

He is the 14th president of Duquesne University and a former academic administrator who transitioned from epidemiological research.

Duquesne University

This private Catholic research university is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and currently serves a student body of 8,179.

The details

Before his appointment as president, Dausey served as provost at Mercyhurst University starting in 2015. He later joined Duquesne University, where he leveraged his epidemiological fieldwork background to guide the campus through global health crises.

Dausey became provost at Mercyhurst University in 2015.
Dausey accepted the provost position at Duquesne University in 2018.
The Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine opened in January 2024.
Dausey was named president of Duquesne University in November 2025.
Dausey officially took office as president on July 1, 2026.

Market Landscape

Dausey's leadership position at the university mirrors a broader industry effort to demonstrate the tangible return on investment of higher education. He aims to shift the narrative surrounding the utility of academic credentials in a competitive labor market.

Students and faculty at the university can expect a shift in strategic focus as the new president works to emphasize the long-term value of their degrees. These efforts aim to influence institutional priorities and academic program development in the coming years.

The takeaway

Dausey brings a background in both public health and academic administration to his new role. His transition from epidemiological research to university leadership highlights the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of modern higher education management.