 In 2005, he was named Harvard College Professor, a special teaching recognition awarded to those faculty members who have most invested their time and energy in teaching undergraduates.It was announced on December 16, 2009, that Pertile would become the new director of Villa I Tatti, the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies, in summer 2010 and served in that position until 2015.Pertile has served on the Board of Editors for the Dante Society of America.