PHOTO COURTESY POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

Point Park University‘s next president was there all along.

Chris W. Brussalis, 59, was tapped in February as interim president after the abrupt resignation of Don Green. The board of trustees, in a unanimous vote Tuesday, removed “interim” from his title.

“We have confidence that Dr. Brussalis’ visionary leadership, his allegiance to Point Park and its students and his unwavering commitment to excellence will grow the University, said board chairman Joseph Greco Jr.

Brussalis is chairman of The Hill Group Inc., a national management consulting firm, and an adjunct professor of management and policy at the Heinz College of Carnegie Mellon University. He has taught at the graduate level for more than 32 years, while also advising numerous colleges,  universities, corporations, nonprofits and governments.  His teaching and research focus is on management, strategy and economic development, according to the university.

“Point Park is well-positioned to thrive. We are one of the most dynamic urban universities in America with career-focused educational programs, world-class facilities and faculty and staff who are driven by our mission to enable our students to achieve their goals,” Brussalis said. “I am thrilled with this opportunity, and I am confident that Point Park will continue to impact its students and the Pittsburgh region for years to come.”

As interim president, Brussalis had been developing a strategic plan for the university, which is expected to be presented in the fall.

“I think downtowns of the future are going to be driven by this creator economy,” he told the Post Gazette. “I don’t think that office workers are going to come back in droves. I think downtowns are going to be places of arts and entertainment and recreation.

“And Point Park is so suited to be the driver and the catalyst to make that happen.”

The university, founded in 1960, has about 3,300 students on its campus Downtown.