Veella R. Grooms, Ed.D.

A two-time Pitt alumna, Veella R. Grooms has an extensive background in mental health counseling and wellness, as well as two decades of experience in higher-education administration, including leadership in the areas of diversity, inclusion, student success and retention, and civility.

Grooms comes to Pitt from Carnegie Mellon University, where she has served as assistant dean of student affairs for civility initiatives since 2021.

A native of Charleston, W.Va., Grooms earned a bachelor’s degree in counseling and rehabilitation at Marshall University in Huntington and began her career as a counselor, case manager, and family advocate, before transitioning into higher education as a counselor at Pitt, then as executive assistant to the president at West Virginia State University.