Charles Di Pinto joins Dickinson State University as an Assistant Professor in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SoBE), where he teaches Introduction to Business, Business Policy, and Advertising.
Di Pinto brings over 35 years of professional experience in the creative and entertainment industries, complemented by an extensive career in higher education. His professional background encompasses music, entertainment, media, entrepreneurship, marketing, and creative projects. He spent nearly two decades teaching at Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos) in Brazil, where he also coordinated the Creative Entrepreneurship graduate program.
"We are excited to welcome Di Pinto, whose career bridges the dynamic fields of business, music, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. He brings extensive industry experience and a strong innovative spirit, and he is poised to inspire our students, enhance our programs, and expand the possibilities within higher education," said Dr. Ayodeji Arogundade, dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship.
Di Pinto was drawn to DSU in part because of its robust business program and commitment to future growth.
“The School of Business and Entrepreneurship is a very strong program, and also a program that is looking to evolve and develop even more. The faculty are top-notch, and within the context of Dickinson State University, which has a real history with business, I thought it would be a great place to land in the United States at this moment in my career.”
Although Di Pinto is beginning a new chapter at DSU, his commitment to teaching remains steadfast. Throughout his career, he has prioritized helping students connect theoretical concepts to their personal and professional development.
“I very much like engaging with students, and I like taking concepts that can sometimes seem very theoretical and making them real. When students can see how something applies to their own lives, their work, and the decisions they will have to make, that's when teaching becomes really rewarding.”
His extensive professional experience in the creative industries, entertainment, music, and entrepreneurship has shaped his perspective, emphasizing the significance of the human dimension in business.
“Of course, businesses need to make money. Profit matters. But I also give great value to understanding customers and people—the human dimension of business. You have to understand their pain points, their needs and wants, and what they are actually trying to accomplish.”
Di Pinto views business as fundamentally oriented toward creating value for individuals.
“Business is delivering solutions to the everyday obstacles that people encounter in life. It's offering products, services, and experiences that help people achieve their objectives, whether short-term or long-term. Businesses can be allies in that process, and there is real value in helping people reach those goals.”
His work with Sigmund Records, the university record label he founded and coordinated at Unisinos, significantly influenced his approach to teaching. Through this initiative, students engaged directly with the practical realities of the music business, including intellectual property.
“Sigmund Records was especially interesting because students actually had to deal with intellectual property as a product. They weren't just learning about the concept. They had to understand it and work with it in a practical way.”
Di Pinto intends to continue integrating practical business concepts with real-world situations at DSU.
He believes students require both foundational knowledge and practical skills to enter the workforce, but also encourages them to develop the confidence to think beyond their immediate roles.
“I'd like to help strengthen SoBE's capacity to develop innovative, forward-thinking, strategic business people—people who are looking for new solutions and new ways of doing things, and who aren't afraid to think about innovation or even disruption when it's necessary.”
He encourages students to become innovators in any professional context or circumstance.
“I want them to think big. I want them to be innovators wherever they are and whatever their circumstances are. I'd love to see them become leaders, whether that's locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally.”
Di Pinto views his background as a valuable addition to the diverse SoBE faculty. His academic and professional interests include entrepreneurship, innovation, international business, cultural studies in business, research, marketing, and marketing communications.
“There are so many different perspectives at SoBE, and I think I can join that group with something unique. I know there are specialists here with expertise that isn't necessarily mine, and that's a strength. I can bring my experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, international business, culture, marketing, and the creative industries.”
Born in Philadelphia, Di Pinto spent much of his professional and academic career in Brazil. He has also taught at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City and has taught and spoken at other institutions internationally.
His experience in both countries has fostered an appreciation for differences in university cultures, and he has expressed particular satisfaction in returning to an American academic environment.
“University culture in the United States is different from Brazil, and having experienced both has been very valuable to me. Having contact with students and their perspectives is very valuable. So it feels really good to be here. The United States is home, and it's good to be back home.”
He has also been pleasantly surprised by North Dakota.
“North Dakota is an amazingly beautiful place. I really didn't have a clear idea of what I would find here, especially when it comes to nature. The landscapes are beautiful. I especially like cold weather, so I'm actually looking forward to the winters, even though I know they're going to be very cold and windy.”
The local community has made a significant impression on him.
“People are very welcoming. They're open and engaging. I really don't think it's possible to understand what Dickinson will be like until you've actually been here. I'm very much a fan of Dickinson, North Dakota now.”
Beyond his academic responsibilities, Di Pinto pursues interests in music, film, culinary arts, travel, technology, and culture. Music has played a significant role in his professional life, and he was impressed by the caliber of musicians and singers at DSU's recent convocation.
He also cooks frequently, preparing Brazilian and international dishes, and enjoys attending the movie theater.
He anticipates active involvement in the DSU athletics community.
“I'm not a big sports person, but I really want to be part of the culture of athletics at Dickinson State. I'll be a fan. I'll be in the bleachers.”
Di Pinto has two children in Brazil, a 13-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter. His son is interested in eventually attending high school in North Dakota, and Di Pinto expects to travel to Brazil regularly to spend time with his children.
His family remains the central focus of his life.
“As much as I love my job, my children are the basis for everything I do and who I am.”
Di Pinto holds a bachelor's degree in Digital Communication and a master's degree in Strategic Design from Unisinos, and is currentlya PhD candidate at Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio).
At DSU, he aims to contribute to the ongoing advancement of SoBE and to encourage students to explore opportunities beyond traditional business education frameworks.
“I want students to have the skills they need to succeed in business, but I also want them to think bigger—to see opportunities, create solutions, innovate, and eventually become leaders. I want them to think big.”
The School of Business and Entrepreneurship welcomes Charles Di Pinto to Dickinson State University.