New DataJam opportunities allow Frederick students to work with international groups 

Since 2013, the University of Pittsburgh has played a large part in the development and expansion of the DataJam, a nonprofit that was formed in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, the joint Pitt-CMU Supercomputer Center, Oracle, IBM, Teradata, and Iqvia, to mentor students in the middle school, high school, and community college levels about big data science and statistics. The use of statistics and big data grows across fields every year, and now students are becoming educated in visualizing and analyzing data sets.  

With the help of fellowships from Frederick Honors College, students participating in DataJam are able to help the program to expand across the globe and teach students in other countries about big data. Sarah Sirakos, a senior majoring in statistics who won a Community Research Fellowship from FHC, created two dataset guides here in Pittsburgh on how climate change affects that region for the students in Jordan to work from. Her goal was to create guides that yielded useful results and could be used in future DataJam projects. 

Learn more on our website. 

Event Spotlight: Building a Beloved Community

Through thought-provoking discussions and hands-on activities, participants will explore the power of nonviolent engagement and the role it plays in creating a beloved community. OCC will be offered your attendance! Learn more and find the link to registration here. The event is free, but please register in advance. 

Happening this week: Sept. 17 – Sept. 23, 2024

Sign up for the Office of Community Engaged Learning's newsletter!

Wednesday, September 18th

Fundamentals of Bioethics - Ethics in Action Discussion

Ethics in Action is an initiative that hosts experiential learning sessions related to ethical issues in public health, research, medicine, and more. Our September session, spotlighting Dr. Cindy McCarthy, will delve into topics such as informed consent, decision-making capacity, advance directives, and more. Join us from 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Room A521 at the School of Public Health!

Thursday, September 19th

A Confluence of Ideas: From Wisdom on the Three Rivers to Reversing the Chicago River

The Department of Religious Studies is hosting a talk with Nicholas Soulakis, a 1995 Pitt alum and Professor of Health Informatics and Data Science at Loyola University Chicago. He will talk about his personal career path from religious studies major to public health professional and data science. Contact relgst@pitt.edu to learn more and join them at 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Room 4130 in Posvar Hall! 

Friday, September 20th

Research & Project Assistants: Dept of Sociology

The Department of Sociology is looking for three senior level students to fulfill roles as Research Assistant and Project Assistant for the spring semester. These students will be working directly with Professor Fernando Tormos-Aponte. Applications are due by Friday, September 20th. 

Interested in Connecting with Black Honors Students across the country?

The David C. Frederick Honors College is sending a delegation to the National Association of African American Honors Program Annual Conference. The conference is an opportunity for students from NAAAHP affiliated schools around the country to gather for networking, academic competitions, scholarly research presentations, community service and educational/professional enrichment opportunities. It will take place at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas from October 31st to November 2nd. Last, week we hosted an information session and the recording can be viewed here. Interested and want to attend? Fill out this short application here by Friday, September 20th.​​​​​​

Monday, September 23rd

Martinson Applied Projects Deadline Extension

The application deadline for the Martinson Applied Projects has been extended to September 23rd. Apply here.

Spring Research Fellowships Information Session

Are you interested in doing research during your career at Pitt? Join us for an information session on the Frederick Honors College Research Fellowship for spring 2025 on September 23rd at 12:00 p.m. Learn about how and when to apply! 

Opportunities for FHC students

Beyond the Symptoms: Addressing Racism as a Root Cause of Racial Inequity

Join HEAL PA in partnership with Collectively Rooted and an ensemble of renowned thinkers for the Lunch Hour Series on September 25th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m on Zoom.  They will explore topics that are deeply relevant to Pennsylvania residents and will give our community space to reflect on, identify, and address the trauma in our lives.

The September Lunch Hour is hosted by Heal PA's Equity Advisory Council and will focus on race as a public health crisis, shifting mental models about race and racism, and transformative practices for healing and restoration from the impacts of race based stress and trauma.

Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month Film Screening

Join the Honors College in celebrating Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month with a special screening of the 2023 Dramedy Problemista from SNL writer Julio Torres on September 25th at 6:30 p.m. Hosted at the Latin American Cultural Center, come and engage with the Center's exhibits while enjoying authentic Mexican cuisine from La Palapa. Don't miss this chance to see what Indiewire has described as "Wildy inventive, biting, and outright funny".

Gilman Writing Workshop 1

Want to apply to the Gilman Scholarship Program, but don't know where to start your essays? This event is for you! Come to this workshop with Fellowships Advisor Peter Levins to get information and advice on where to begin your writing and what makes a successful Gilman application or receive feedback on your draft essays on September 26th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the 35th floor of the Cathedral of Learning.

Truman Scholarship Info Session

Come learn more about the Truman Scholarship with the Office of National Scholarships! The Truman Scholarship is a national award given to exceptional students dedicated to public service. Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate school as well as access to extensive Scholar programming, priority admission and financial support from public service graduate programs, advising and mentoring from other public service leaders, and preferred hiring with the federal government Register today and attend on September 27th from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.!

Indigenous Cultural Festival

For the third year in a row, the University of Pittsburgh and the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center will partner to bring the Indigenous Cultural Festival to the Pittsburgh campus. From September 23rd to September 29th, earn OCC points when you participate in pouch-making, dreamcatcher crafting and other activities. They'll also hold a powwow on September 25th! More information can be found here.

Are you a ChangeMaker?

ChangeMakers focus on solving problems, refuse to accept the status quo, and strive to shape the future. There’s a ChangeMaker in YOU! This past spring, the Big Idea Center launched the ChangeMaker Series, a 5-session masterclass for students to explore innovation and entrepreneurship in action. Now, we’re back for the fall semester and inviting YOU to join the new cohort! The ChangeMaker Series is a hands-on program for Pitt students at any level to learn about innovation, hear from ChangeMakers, and connect with motivated peers. It’s open to all Pitt students (undergrad to postdoc) from any discipline. Complete the series to earn a Certificate of Completion and become eligible for the Fall 2024 ChangeMaker Scholar Program. The program is free—just bring your time and effort! Register by Sunday, September 29th, with sessions held at the University of Pittsburgh Murdoch Building 3rd floor.

• October 3rd: Series Kickoff – "Becoming a Changemaker"
• October 17th: "The Power of Curiosity and Empathy"
• October 31st: "Creating and Delivering Value"
• November 14th: "Human-Centric Problem Solving"
• December 5th: Wrap-up and Certificate Presentation

For questions, contact Jess Malandro at jmalandro@innovation.pitt.edu.​​​​​​

Martinson Elevate Award Reception & Global Programs Mixer

The David C. Frederick Honors College is welcoming back its students who studied off-campus in the Spring and Summer of 2024 with a Martinson Elevate Award Reception and Global Programs Mixer on Friday, October 4th in the William Pitt Union, First Floor, Dining Rooms A & B. The Martinson Elevate Award Reception will be from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and the Global Programs Mixer will be from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Martinson Elevate Award Reception is open to students who received the award this summer. A separate invitation will be sent to your email. The Global Programs Mixer is open to all FHC students who participated in spring and summer 2024 programs and to students interested in learning more about study abroad or study away in the spring and summer of 2025.

Questions? Email Heather Curtin at hec146@pitt.edu!

Interested in tackling a real-world global health challenge?

Register now for the 2024 Global Health Case Competition (GHCC), where you'll collaborate in an interdisciplinary, fast-paced competition designed to push your problem-solving skills to the limit. You and your team will dive deep into a meticulously researched health-related case, crafting a multidisciplinary solution within a set budget and timeframe. With expert-led sessions on key topics like program planning, budgeting, and research, you’ll be equipped to excel.  Not only will you compete for cash prizes, but the top team will also have the chance to represent Pitt at the prestigious Emory Morningside Global Health Case Competition. Past Pitt teams have consistently ranked in the top 3, with last year's team taking 2nd place among over 50 competitors.  Undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines are welcome. You may register for 1 credit hour OR earn OCC and Global Distinction credit. Honors OCC credit is available for participating in the competition. Registration closes October 5th and the case is revealed on October 19th. Ready to make your mark? Register today!

Interested in Foreign Service? Chat with Pitt's Diplomat-In-Residence

Join us for office hours with the Diplomat in Residence at Pitt’s Honors College. Don't miss this chance to engage in meaningful discussions and expand your understanding of global affairs! The hours will take place during the following times:

• Friday, September 27th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 18th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 25th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Drop-ins are welcome, but appointments can also be scheduled via email request to DIRAllegheny@state.gov.

Season 3 of Let's Talk Social Innovation is here!

Let's Talk Social Innovation, driven by FHC's Office of Social Innovation, is a podcast that brings together University of Pittsburgh members and community leaders to discuss their work. The podcast believes in the power of conversations to drive change in communities. Tune in to this season grounded in monthly themes. This month's theme is "Strength in Diversity". The first two episodes of the season feature Dr. Toya Jones and Brent Rondon. Dr. Jones is the BASW Program Director in Pitt's School of Social Work. Brent Rondon is the Senior Management Consultant for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, Innovation Institute at Pitt. Check out the episodes on all streaming platforms here.

Calling all Artists, submit to the 2nd annual Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh

The David C. Frederick Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh is proud to support the second annual "Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh" initiative curated by FHC’s Artist-in-Residence, Morgan Overton. The Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh initiative aims to bring together a diverse group of emerging and experienced artists who can depict their visions of justice, equality, and community resilience. The call is open to creators working in a wide range of media, including written and spoken word, visual art, performance, fiber art, and digital art.

Artists are asked to submit their work by October 20th, 2024. Detailed submission guidelines and a link to the entry form can be found at https://pitt.ly/envision24. Submissions will be reviewed by judges from the local art community; awards of up to $2000 will be given.

Happiness and Human Flourishing Scholars Community

Dr. Grant Martsolf and Dr. David Sanchez welcome you to the new Happiness and Human Flourishing (HHF) Frederick Honors College Scholars Community. Throughout the fall semester, the HHF Scholars Community will be hosting service-learning opportunities, reading groups, and extracurricular engagement activities focused on promoting happiness and flourishing through open, civil, and interdisciplinary discourse and action across the University. The Scholars Community is open to all, but health sciences and engineering students are especially encouraged to join. The HHF Scholars Community branches off The Headwaters Project, a multidisciplinary teaching initiative through Pitt, focused on advancing human flourishing through the applied sciences. More information about opportunities in the community can be found on The Headwaters Project website, and you can sign up for our mailing list.

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

• Sept. 18 — Ethics in Action at 6:00 p.m.
• Sept. 20 — Deadline for Applications for the Department of Sociology's Research & Project Assistant roles 
• Sept. 20 — NAAAHP Conference Application deadline
• Sept. 21 — FHC Building a Beloved Community - A Peacebuilding and Nonviolence Workshop at 9:00 a.m. 
• Sept. 23 — Martinson Applied Projects deadline
• Sept. 23 — FHC YWCA Civic Chat at 3:00 p.m.
• Sept. 23 — Spring Research Fellowships Information Session at 12:00 p.m.
• Sept. 23 to Sept. 29 — Indigenous Cultural Festival
• Sept. 25 — Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month Film Screening at 6:30 p.m.
• Sept. 25 — Beyond the Symptoms: Addressing Racism as a Root Cause of Racial Inequity lunch hour at 12:00 p.m.
• Sept. 26 — Gilman Writing Workshop 1 at 12:00 p.m. in the Cathedral 35th floor classroom
• Sept. 27 — Truman Scholarship Info Session at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Cathedral 35th floor Classroom 
• Sept. 27 — ChangeMarkers program application deadline
• Oct. 1 — Deadline to apply for Pittsburgh-London Film Program Spring 2025
• Oct. 3 — Gilman Writing Workshop 2 at 12:00 p.m. in the Cathedral 35th floor classroom
• Oct. 4 — Martinson Elevate Award Reception at 2:00 p.m.
• Oct. 4 — Global Programs Mixer at 3:00 p.m.
• Oct. 20 — Deadline to submit for Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh.
• Nov. 7 — FHC Homeless Children's Education Fund Civic Chat at 3:30 p.m.

Follow the Frederick Honors College on social media: