Schiavelli has accepted a position at Northern Virginia Community College as its executive vice president for academic and student services, according to the university. Schiavelli helped found Harrisburg University and has been its president and CEO since 2002.

Schiavelli helped guide the university from concept to the construction of its current $73 million academic center at 326 Market Street in Harrisburg.

During his tenure, total student enrollment increased from 113 in August 2005 to 1,022 – approximately 400 full-time equivalent students – in September 2011, according to the university. It also completed a $45 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, was accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has been profiled nationally as a new model for higher education in science, technology, engineering and math.

The university's board of trustees has appointed Eric Darr to be interim president during the search for Schiavelli's replacement. Darr has been the university's executive vice president and provost since 2007.