New Director Named for Office of Child Development
Following a national search, Elizabeth “Betsy” Levine Brown has been appointed as the next Executive Director of the School of Education’s Office of Child Development (OCD), effective August 15, 2026.
In this role, Levine Brown will lead the strategic direction and operations of the OCD, which provides critical support services to thousands of children, youth, and families across Pennsylvania each year. She will also serve as a Professor in the Department of Health and Human Development.
Levine Brown joins us from George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development, where she has been a faculty member since 2011 and currently serves as an Associate Professor. A nationally recognized scholar and community-engaged leader, her research focuses on the developmental and psychosocial competencies of teachers and youth and their impact on developmental and academic outcomes.
“As we mark the 40th anniversary of the Office of Child Development this year, this appointment represents an important milestone,” said Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher, Renée and Richard Goldman Dean of the School of Education. “Betsy’s leadership will help build on this strong foundation, ensuring the office’s ongoing success and expanding its reach and influence in the years ahead.”
Community Engaged Impact
Levine Brown is the author of nearly 40 peer-reviewed publications, with work appearing in journals such as The Teacher Educators Journal, Journal of School Health, Early Childhood Development and Care, and Teachers College Record, along with numerous book chapters, technical reports, and manuscripts. Levine Brown also leads several multi-million-dollar grant projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Justice, addressing youth mental health and violence prevention.
Levine Brown is an active member of several leading professional organizations, including the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, National Center for School Mental Health, Society for Research in Child Development, and Society for Research in Adolescence.
Levine Brown’s commitment to education and community impact began early in her career through Teach for America. She taught at elementary schools in Brooklyn, New York, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
Returning to Pittsburgh
The appointment also marks a return to Pittsburgh for Levine Brown. As an alumna of the School of Education, she brings deep ties to the region and a strong understanding of the communities served by the OCD. She holds a BA in psychology and educational studies from Colgate University, a MAT in elementary education from American University, an MA in psychology from Washington College, and a PhD in applied developmental psychology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.
During the transitional period, Associate Professor Sharon Ross will continue to serve as Interim Executive Director.
