For nearly five decades, Mark Nordenberg has been an instrumental figure in shaping the University of Pittsburgh - as dean of the School of Law, as longtime chancellor and, most recently, as a leader of two of the University's most impactful public service initiatives. Now, the chancellor emeritus is preparing for a new chapter.

Nordenberg will step down as chair of the Institute of Politics (IOP) and director of the Dick Thornburgh Forum for Law and Public Policy on June 30, concluding his official service to the University. He leaves these roles in the experienced and capable hands of Samantha Balbier and Paul Supowitz, respectively.

"This University has been a perfect professional home for me, and I always will be grateful for the special chances to contribute to the greater good that Pitt, Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania regularly provided," Nordenberg said. "Even on tough days, and I have seen a few of them, I knew how lucky I was to be a part of this University."

During Nordenberg's nearly two-decade tenure as chancellor, Pitt achieved higher levels of quality and impact across virtually every front, and the University became a cornerstone of the regional economy's transformation. After stepping down as chancellor, Nordenberg turned his energy toward the IOP and the Thornburgh Forum, two initiatives at the intersection of higher education and public life.

"The University of Pittsburgh has been incredibly fortunate to count on Mark Nordenberg's steady hand and servant leadership for nearly a half century, including 19 years as chancellor," said Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel. "Mark's signature commitment to community and culture, and to service and achievement exemplify not only the very best of our Pitt values and tradition, but also his legacy of impact that has made our university and community stronger and better in every way."

For nearly 40 years, the IOP has pursued a search for common ground by serving as a neutral, nonpartisan forum for developing policies that benefit the people of Western Pennsylvania. Reflecting his commitment to that mission, Nordenberg deepened the institute's role as a civic convening hub. His service as chair also saw the launch of the Elsie Hillman Civic Forum, which was endowed by the Henry Hillman Foundation and now serves as home to the IOP's wide and growing array of student programs. He also facilitated the move of the Dick Thornburgh Forum into the IOP and became its director, leaving the IOP with three key areas of focus - policy development, student programming focused on civic engagement and the offering of thought-provoking programs to both the campus community and the broader public.

The many policy initiatives for which Nordenberg took a hands-on leadership role included a decadelong effort that he co-chaired with former U.S. Attorney Frederick Thieman (LAW '77) to reduce the population of the Allegheny County Jail and address racial disparities across the county's criminal justice system. He also was very engaged in initiatives designed to address the public health crisis tied to opioids and to develop governance alternatives for financially distressed municipalities. As director of the Thornburgh Forum, he honored the legacy of the late Pennsylvania governor and U.S. attorney general through an array of programs focused on good governance and preserving democracy.

"I've had the privilege of knowing Mark Nordenberg for more than 25 years, first as a Pitt undergraduate and Student Government Board President, and later as a colleague," said Kevin Washo, senior vice chancellor for external relations. "The hallmark of his leadership has been his ability to bring out the very best in others. The University of Pittsburgh is stronger because of him, and I am a better professional because of his influence. I am proud to call him a friend."

Nordenberg's civic work has extended well beyond Pitt's campus. He served on an independent committee created by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh to disburse some $6 million of undesignated donations following the Tree of Life synagogue attack, which remains the deadliest antisemitic attack in this nation's history. He worked alongside the late Carnegie Mellon University President Jared Cohon to help establish the Collaboratory Against Hate, a joint Carnegie Mellon-Pitt research initiative.

Following the 2020 census, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court named Nordenberg as chair of the state's Legislative Reapportionment Commission. In that role, he led a process that produced a redistricting plan that was adopted by a bipartisan vote within the Commission, unanimously upheld by the state Supreme Court and widely praised by good government groups.

Perhaps no initiative better reflects Nordenberg's deep sense of community commitment than the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, which he co-founded in the wake of the Tree of Life attack with his former student Laura Ellsworth (LAW '83), now an accomplished lawyer and community leader. Already recognized as the most comprehensive anti-hate initiative in the world, the summit has earned both Nordenberg and Ellsworth the Pursuers of Peace Award from the Rodef Shalom congregation and the Righteous Among the Neighbors Award from the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh and the LIGHT Education Initiative.

Just last month, Nordenberg was honored as a 2025 Community Champion by the Hear Foundation, which was founded in Pittsburgh to create a safe and thriving community for all. He also recently was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which recognizes leadership and excellence across disciplines and divides.

"I consider myself to be a pretty ordinary person who has been presented with a succession of extraordinary opportunities, and I worked as hard as I could to take full advantage of them. To be clear, though, a principal driver of the successes we enjoyed has been the talent, commitment and values of the people working with me, mainly people from Pitt," said Nordenberg, who will be designated chair emeritus of the IOP and remain available to provide ongoing support and counsel.

Samantha Balbier, who has served as director of the IOP since 2019, will continue leading the organization's operations and regional policy work as well as the Elsie Hillman Civic Forum. Under her direction, the IOP has strengthened its programming, expanded its civic partnerships and engagement opportunities for students, and deepened its connections with communities across the region.

"Samantha Balbier, who has been recognized by our School of Social Work as one of its distinguished graduates, already was an accomplished leader when she returned to Pitt to serve as director of both our Institute of Politics and its Elsie Hillman Civic Forum, and she has sharpened those skills with each passing year," Nordenberg said. "Not only has she elevated the IOP's traditional regional policy and convening work, but she has played a key role in shaping a wide array of new student programs through the Elsie Hillman Civic Forum, including pioneering initiatives designed to nurture commitments to civic engagement and to promote civil discourse. I consider my recruitment of her to be one of my most important contributions to the University."

Notably, Balbier (SOC WK '98G) created and launched the University's All Angles program, which offers Pitt students an opportunity to learn about and discuss critical societal issues from prominent national experts representing divergent political perspectives.

"Working alongside Mark Nordenberg for the past seven years at Pitt's Institute of Politics has been a privilege and an education," said Balbier. "What sets Mark apart is his rare ability to inspire those around him to push harder while genuinely engaging with every person that he meets. His collegial approach helped build the IOP we know today and has driven meaningful policy impacts - all built on a foundation of collaboration and the importance of each community partner. While reflecting on the valuable insights I have gained through working with Mark, I look forward to continuing in my role as director of the IOP, its Regional Policy Collaborations Unit and Elsie Hillman Civic Forum."

Paul Supowitz will assume the role of director of the Dick Thornburgh Forum for Law and Public Policy, effective July 1. Supowitz (LAW '89) brings 27 years of Pitt experience to the role, including service as vice chancellor for community and government relations, special assistant for strategic initiatives in the Office of the Chancellor and interim secretary of the Board of Trustees.

"I have known Paul Supowitz since he was an outstanding law student enrolled in courses taught by me," Nordenberg said. "For years, he served with distinction as vice chancellor for community and government relations. Speaking more broadly, he was one of the most valuable members of the outstanding senior leadership team with which I worked. He was highly regarded both for his commitment to excellence and for the respect that he unfailingly extended to others, qualities for which Gov. Thornburgh also was known. I simply cannot think of anyone better suited to lead the Dick Thornburgh Forum for Law and Public Policy."

A Pitt Law graduate who practiced environmental law before joining the University, he has spent his career at the intersection of law, government and civic engagement - exactly the realms the Thornburgh Forum occupies.

"It is hard to overstate the respect I have for Mark Nordenberg as a person and as a leader," Supowitz said. "I am honored to have worked with him for 17 years as he led Pitt to unprecedented heights academically and institutionally. So of course, I am honored to be entrusted to continue his legacy and leadership with the Thornburgh Forum, which has thrived under his guidance. I join Mark in sharing a profound respect for and desire to extend the inspiring example of Gov. Thornburgh in leading the forum that bears his name."

Finally, in a moment that will bring his decades of service to Pitt full circle, Nordenberg is set to deliver the address during the University-wide undergraduate commencement at Acrisure Stadium on May 3. It will be the second time Nordenberg has served as speaker for the ceremony; he also spoke in 2014, his final year as chancellor. "I am deeply grateful to Chancellor Gabel for extending this special honor to me," said Nordenberg, "and look forward to spending the happiest day in the academic year with our accomplished graduates and their proud family members and friends." Learn more at Pitt's commencement website.