Meet the people who make Pittwire happen

At a place like the University of Pittsburgh, where exceptional students, innovative researchers and new possibilities await around every corner, there are a million stories to tell. That's where the content team, based in Pitt's Office of University Communications and Marketing, comes in.

Our writers and editors bring a wide range of experiences and interests to that work, and it's a team effort to identify some of the most fascinating people and places - and give their stories a home in Pittwire, Pitt Magazine, across social media (including Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok) and on other University platforms.

Get to know each member of the content team below and never miss a story when you subscribe to Pittwire Today, which delivers the best Pitt news to your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Robyn Coggins (A&S '12G)

Title: Senior Director of Content Strategy

How long you've been at Pitt: I started graduate school at Pitt in 2009 and have moved around in faculty and staff roles since 2012.

Superlative the rest of the team would give you: Work-wise: Most likely to eliminate repetition in a story; personality-wise: Mostly likely to share a dark or morbid fact.

Favorite Pittsburgh hidden gem: Vendor Bender in Squirrel Hill - an unassuming spot with vending machines full of treats and drinks from around the world (and a machine with toiletries and necessities too!). It has the exact kind of quirky, inventive vibe that I love most about the city.

Ervin Dyer (A&S '11G, '16G)

Title: Senior Editor, Pitt Magazine

How long you've been at Pitt: 19 years

Favorite story you wrote last year: A feature on the path that four unconventional graduate students took to arrive at Pitt. I'm always impressed with the ways students connect to and find success at Pitt. But I had particular heart for these students because I was an unconventional graduate student. I was older, working full time, taking care of family and I found a welcoming place at Pitt to advance my studies, community and personal interests

Superlative the rest of the team would give you: Many refer to me as Saint Erv because I'm quiet and laidback (until I'm not!)

Favorite place to take a walk: Through the promenade at Allegheny Commons Park on the city's North Side. It stretches for about a quarter mile, and many of the benches there have memorials. They are funny, touching, endearing, and I love imagining the people and stories behind each one. I also have a memorial bench to my parents, so every walk is an opportunity for remembrance, reflection and to say hello.

Nichole Faina (A&S '14G)

Title: Content Manager

How long you've been at Pitt: 5 years

Favorite story you wrote last year: One of the joys of writing for Pittwire is having a front seat to Pitt-led innovations. Last year, I wrote my favorite story about a wheelchair prototype designed by the University's Human Engineering Research Laboratories that empowers users to scale sidewalk curbs, open doors and carry objects. I attended a demonstration of the chair and gasped the first time I saw it deftly maneuver over a curb.

Superlative the rest of the team would give you: Most likely to encourage healthy life habits

Favorite item in Pitt's Archives and Special Collections: The pop-up and moveable books - there are nearly 800!

Brett Fera

Title: Director of Content Operations

How long you've been at Pitt: I moved to the city from Tucson, Arizona, in late 2024, and a part of this team now for 1 year, 7 months.

Superlative the rest of the team would give you: Most likely to overthink … or content cave chatterbox

Picks for the 'Burgh's Best Bridges: My favorite local bridges each have a vibe of their own. There's 10th Street, a true suspension bridge that reminds this California transplant of the Golden Gate itself; 40th Street (Washington Crossing), for a clean but mostly underrated view of downtown when stopped in just the right pedestrian pocket; Hot Metal, among the best by bike with its connection on both ends to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail; and the George Westinghouse, with its art deco styling presiding high above North Versailles and providing unique angles on both Kennywood and Braddock's Mon Valley Works Edgar Thomson Plant.

Donovan Harrell

Title: Communications Specialist

How long you've been at Pitt: 8 years

Favorite story you wrote last year: A story I wrote about a graduating senior who overcame a serious injury to walk across the stage was especially inspiring to me because I spent the year recovering from surgeries as well.

Superlative the rest of the team would give you: Most likely to ask difficult-to-answer questions

Favorite place on campus: The Center for Creativity - the environments in these spaces are peaceful, inspiring and full of instruments to mess around with. I plan to bang on the drums a lot more this year and do more creative writing.

Patrick Monahan (A&S '14)

Title: Content Manager

How long you've been at Pitt: 5 years this go-around, but I'm also a proud alum!

Favorite story you wrote last year: In March, I profiled Nev Jones, an associate professor in Pitt's School of Social Work. Jones' personal experience with schizophrenia informs her research and advocacy around serious mental illness.

My favorite stories are those that surprise me, enlighten me and let me spread the word about research that more people need to know about. This one had it all.

Superlative the rest of the team would give you: Most likely to get worked up over word choice in an article

Bear with him: I've road-tripped and camped across the U.S. and visited more than 25 national parks, but I still haven't seen a bear in the wild. If anyone knows a surefire place to find a bear, please email me.

Nora Smith

Title: Director of Content Strategy

How long you've been at Pitt: Nearly 4 years

Favorite story you wrote last year: Pitt Law Professor Ben Bratman knows that improv is no laughing matter. It's been a great joy to cover his unique Human Skills for Lawyers class, which (unlike many law school courses) gives students a stress-free environment to build their confidence, listening skills and resilience before embarking on their career paths. Plus, Ben and I performed together as part of a local improv troupe before I ever came to Pitt - small world!

Superlative the rest of the team would give you: Most likely to bring my current art project to a meeting

Favorite Pittsburgh event: Every year I look forward to meeting hundreds of fellow writers, bookmakers, printmakers and small presses at the Pittsburgh Zine Fair. This year's exhibition is Sunday, Oct. 18.

Photography by Alex Mowrey