David A. Dulio selected as Oakland University’s Chief Community Engagement Officer

David A. Dulio, Ph.D.

Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz has appointed David A. Dulio, Ph.D., to serve as the university’s Chief Community Engagement Officer (CCEO), effective August 1.

Dulio has served in a number of faculty and administrative leadership roles at Oakland University since 2002. He joined the university as an assistant professor of political science and became a tenured, full professor. He served as department chair from 2010-2018. He has also served as director of OU’s Center for Civic Engagement since its inception in 2018. And, he was honored with the title of distinguished professor of political science by OU’s Board of Trustees in 2023. Last summer, Dulio was selected to serve in the role of Interim Chief Community Engagement Officer.

“In the CCEO role, Dave will report to me, serve as a key member of my cabinet and play a vital role in building upon a number of initiatives already in place and expanding our community outreach as stewards of place,” said Pescovitz. “It is important to me that Oakland University be known as an institution that works thoughtfully with community partners with a focus on strengthening our commitment to solving real-world problems in the communities we serve.”

As the interim CCEO, Dulio has overseen the OU-Pontiac Initiative and led a town hall outlining program achievements earlier this year. He has administrated the Community Chagemaker Challenge Grants. He has continued to lead OU’s Center for Civic Engagement, focusing on advancing public discourse and civic literacy. And, he has installed the inaugural Community Engagement Faculty Fellow by adding Deidre N. Hurse, Ph.D, into that leadership role for the 2026-27 academic year.

Oakland University Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield, who led the CCEO search committee, in partnership with the Washington D.C.-based search firm Academic Search, commented, “We were very fortunate to have a deep pool of candidates that produced four very talented and outstanding finalists.”

Dulio said after learning of his appointment, “I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity. Work through Strategic Vision 2030 and the Stewards of Place pathway will help OU continue to shine as an important resource to our local communities, region and state. Community-engaged work has been happening at OU for a long time. I am looking forward to elevating and amplifying that great work and finding new opportunities to work with our faculty, students and staff on projects that bring mutual benefit to campus and community."

Dulio’s academic background includes earning a Ph.D. in political science from American University, a M.A. in political science from American University and a B.A. in political science and psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.