Board of Directors Chair Diane Hupp officially invested Dausey with the university's historic presidential medallion during a ceremony that included an academic procession and addresses from civic leaders, including Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor. Dausey, who previously served eight years as provost, takes the helm as the university approaches its 150th anniversary in 2028. His tenure as provost was marked by the establishment of the College of Osteopathic Medicine and the launch of the institution's first engineering programs.

During his inaugural address, Dausey emphasized a vision for student and faculty belonging, drawing on his own background as a first-generation college student. Having conducted a university-wide listening tour since his appointment in November 2025, he pledged to prioritize agility and collaborative growth. With a professional history that includes global health work for the World Health Organization and the United Nations, Dausey aims to leverage his academic expertise to increase the university’s regional impact while maintaining its Spiritan heritage.