Pitt-Titusville Administrator Earns Doctorate

Titusville, PA – Dr. Stephanie Fiely, assistant executive director of the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville’s Education and Training Hub, has successfully defended her dissertation and earned her Doctor of Education from the University of Pittsburgh.  

For the past three years, Fiely’s research focused on understanding the region’s perception of post-secondary education with regard to manufacturers and the expectations of rural business owners within that market.  

“My goal was to understand the manufacturing sector through this study to assist students looking to enter the manufacturing field and also manufacturing business leaders looking to recruit educated applicants and/or offer continuing education to their employees,” Fiely said.  

“This study taught me about the manufacturing sector by introducing me to some of the terminology used in the field, learning about equipment, and what skills are needed to operate the machinery and personal skills expected of employees. These factors will help as we introduce the MAC in Titusville as I already started to develop a network of manufacturing leaders who are interested in seeing skills training and certifications offered in the region.”  

The Manufacturing Assistance Center, a part of Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering, will relocate to Titusville in the coming year. The MAC will offer a certification course, designed to provide hands-on advanced training for the region’s largest job market.  

As early as next fall, students will have the opportunity to complete a basic machining course where they will learn to safely operate drills, mills, lathes, grinders and saws, learn the proper use of inspection tools, and study applied mathematics. When they successfully complete the introductory course, students will gain access to more advanced courses such as CNC programming and operations as well as others to be announced.  

“Dr. Fiely’s doctoral research, insight and experience will complement this exciting new addition to the Hub as well as future developments as it continues to grow and meet the needs of the region and its employers,” said Dr. Catherine Koverola, Pitt-Titusville’s president.  

Fiely, a 21-year veteran of higher education, has served the Titusville campus in a variety of capacities over the years. Most recently, she served as the campus’s director of student life, dedicated to the development of a student-focused campus culture with an emphasis on retention.  

Fiely also serves on the United Way of the Titusville Region and the Titusville YWCA Board of Directors and volunteers with the Titusville Rotary Club, Rotary International District. In 2017 she was honored with the Chancellor’s Award for Community Engagement.  

For more information about the Education and Training Hub, visit Titusville.pitt.edu.