Test Spectar

Dr. Jem Spectar

Dr. Jem Spectar is the President of the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown, a position he has held since 2007. Since then, the campus has launched new nursing, business, and engineering schools, expanded competitive degree programs, built several major facilities, ramped up community engagement, and quadrupled the endowment. These transformative developments have elevated the institution's stature, profile, and impact.

Spectar has emerged as a leading voice and thought leader on the issue of preserving American democracy. Under President Spectar's leadership, UPJ developed a unique American Democracy Scholar Certificate and is also partnering with K-12 schools through the American Civic Education (ACE) Initiative. Spectar frequently writes op-ed pieces and speaks about the urgency of working together to sustain democracy and to bridge the growing rural-urban divide and its polarizing effects. Articles include "Could an American Democracy Corps help save the Republic?" and "Democracy Needs Civic Engagement" (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), The Washington Post: Want to close America's rural-urban divide?and Pitt & Johnstown: Building our future, together | News | tribdem.com.. The theme of active citizenship to sustain democracy was also the centerpiece of a keynote address Spectar delivered at the National Constitution Center to newly sworn-in American citizens. (Constitution Day 2022 | Naturalization Ceremony - YouTube).

Previously, Dr. Spectar was Provost and vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor at Western Oregon University, Associate Provost and Professor at the University of Scranton, Director of Studies and Lecturer at Princeton University, Assistant Dean and Associate Professor at the University of La Verne.

Jem Spectar's academic background includes Ph.D. and M.A., Claremont Graduate University; J.D., University of Maryland; M.A., George Washington University; M.B.A., Frostburg State; and B.A., University of La Verne, CA. In addition to penning scholarly articles in international law journals, Spectar recently published two books Movement + Music = Medicine: Fight Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Parkinson's and Open Secret Rx – Tune into Lifestyle MEDicine & Fight Heart Disease, Diabetes & Cancer.

A naturalized citizen from Africa, Spectar has received notable recognitions, including being frequently listed among the most “influential Americans of recent African immigrant heritage…" and one of the "50 reasons" "Why Immigration Matters." Considered one of the first African immigrants to become a university president in the U.S., Spectar has garnered commendations from luminaries such as Liberian President Ellen-Johnson Sirleaf and Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa.

Media

Dr. Spectar’s article published in the Washington Post has led to several discussions with policymakers and media regarding rural access to broadband. He is the author of two books Movement + Music = Medicine: Fight Alzheimer's, Dementia & Parkinson's, and Open Secret Rx – Tune into Lifestyle MEDicine & Fight Heart Disease, Diabetes & Cancer.

Commendations for Dr. Spectar on Becoming the First African Immigrant to Lead a University Campus

Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, Cape Town, South Africa

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia, 2006-2018

William Jefferson Clinton

Dr. Jerry Komia Domatob

Download the 2023 Strategic Plan

Preparing for a New UPJ Century by Investing in Our People, Our Programs, and Our Place to Better Serve Our Publics and Achieve Our Purposes

2024 Photo Gallery

President Spectar met with Pitt international students visiting campus on Sept. 5th to talk about study abroad opportunities.

Lynnea Lombardi, Program Manager for Global Programs for Pitt Nursing, Lucinda Morgan, Director for Global Affairs, Pitt, Dr. Mallory Ferguson, Dr. Shuqin Xiao, Associate Professor, Capital Medical University School of Nursing (China), Lijie Xu, Associate Professor, Capital Medical University School of Nursing (China), Zhifang Ren, PhD student, Capital Medical University School of Nursing (China), President Jem Spectar, Yeojin Yi, Professor, Hanyang University College of Nursing (South Korea), Gyuli Baek, PhD student, Keimyung University College of Nursing (South Korea), Genevieve Porciuncula, student, Birmingham City University School of Nursing and Midwifery (UK), Sarah Bond, Lecturer, Birmingham City University School of Nursing and Midwifery (UK), Saratu Muhtari, student, Birmingham City University School of Nursing and Midwifery (UK), Daiva Didvayte, student, Birmingham City University School of Nursing and Midwifery (UK)

Students at Campfire, Jaida Oakes, Nicholas Barclay, Matthew Feeser, Austin Murray, Joseph Minnick, Haley Falkinburg

Coach Eric Kinsey (left) and President Spectar (right) welcome the women’s soccer team on move-in day

President Jem Spectar met with all-Greek alumni on June 1, 2024

President Jem Spectar met with all-Greek alumni on June 1, 2024

Congratulations, Joe Moxim, on your retirement!

Nursing Pinning Ceremony at Pitt-Johnstown, April 27, 2024

Back Row: Tyler Plazio, Zane Leckey, Ryleigh Coakley, Cara Augustine (December Grad - Keeper of the Light 2024), Danielle Adametz, Grace Huff, Abbey-Gale Brooks, Samantha Maust

Second Row: Dr Jem Spectar, Lexie Deckard, Kennedy Morgan, Peyton Betcher, Nicole Kaiser, Van Angel Auxtero (December Grad), Faith Firment, Kayla-Drew Bravo, Chap Stratton

Third Row: Jada Nail, Jakelyn Gardner, Mahalia Lamp, Kiersten Widder, Adalyna Campitell, Linsay Lengle

Dr. Spectar and Nicholas Sequino, Mechanical Engineering Graduate 2024

President Spectar with TeamUPJ winners

www.johnstown.pitt.edu/archived-photos">https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu/archived-photos" target="_blank">Archived Photos

Academics

Campus

Students

UPJ Resources