Community Outreach & Engagement Update
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Advocate and Engage: Join us for an upcoming session on local advocacy strategies
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Activate & Engage: An Introduction to Local Governance & Advocacy Strategies
Location: William Pitt Union, Room 540
Date and Time: Monday, Dec. 9 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Register for the workshop
Want to get more active and help to make a positive change in your community, but don't know where to begin? This 90-minute workshop will introduce structures and strategies for local advocacy and provide an opportunity to connect with activated members of the Pitt community (employees and students alike) at the William Pitt Union.
Learn from experts in local, state, and federal governance from Pitt's Senior Director of Local Government Relations, James Williams, and Lydia Morin, Executive Director of CONNECT, as well as discover strategies and tactics to organize effective campaigns for change with Pitt alum and Advocacy Manager for BikePGH, Seth Bush.
This workshop will teach you:
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The building blocks of local municipal governance, including roles and responsibilities of divisions of governance
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Core strategies for advocacy and organizing an effective campaign
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An overview of campaign tactics
In addition to staff, faculty, and community members, this workshop is ideal for students studying political science, policy, law, public administration, and other fields related to advocacy and government.
Hosted by Pitt Sustainability, the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation and the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs.
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Pitt's 2024 Community Impact Report
As a community-engaged, anchor institution, Pitt is uniquely situated to help make a difference in the well-being of our neighbors. This report exemplifies just some of the hundreds of extraordinary partnerships and programs that are happening across Pitt and within our region. Explore the 2024 Community Impact Report.
CESF 2025: Call for Nominations and Proposals
Applications are open for the 2025 Community Engaged Scholarship Forum awards, posters and workshops. Learn more and apply today!
Awards:
2025 Workshop Proposals and Poster Presentations:
Questions? Reach out to Jamelle Price at jap260@pitt.edu.
Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation Announces 2025 Funding Program
The Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (MCSI) is pleased to share its 2025 grant initiatives. Each of these programs aims to help faculty and students engage in sustainability research, education and outreach.
MCSI Research Seed Grants in Sustainability
(open to all Pitt faculty)
Application Deadline: Monday, February, 17, 2025
Full RFP and Application
MCSI is requesting faculty seed grant proposals for interdisciplinary sustainability research initiatives. MCSI aims to catalyze and expand Pitt’s research capacity to accelerate equitable solutions to pressing sustainability challenges.
The John C. Mascaro Faculty Programs in Sustainability
(open to all Pitt faculty)
Application Deadline: Monday, February, 17, 2025
Full RFP and Application
MCSI is pleased to announce the continued support of Faculty Awards in Sustainability. The John C. Mascaro Faculty Awards are designed to enhance the university’s mission of interdisciplinary excellence in sustainability research and education.
MCSI Undergraduate Summer Research in Sustainability
(open to all Pitt undergraduate students)
Student applications open January 13, 2025
Application link will be available on this page.
Deadline for students to apply is Monday, February 17, 2025
The goal of the URP program is to provide students with unique opportunities to go beyond classroom curriculum and develop their own ideas on hands-on research while working under the guidance and mentorship of Pitt faculty.
Questions? Reach out to Gena Kovalcik at gmk9@pitt.edu.
Staff Council Spotlight Session Request
Are you a Pitt staff member? Are you interested in sharing more about your work and yourself? Consider presenting to Staff Council during one of their Spotlight Sessions! This is a great opportunity to share your work with other members of the University community. It is an enlightening and engaging conversation with your peers across campus. For more information, reach out to Bob Slepsky at sc@pitt.edu.
Five takeaways on the role of universities on civic engagement
On November 7, the University of Pittsburgh hosted a panel discussion titled “A Conversation on the Role of Universities in Civic Preparedness.” Carissa Slotterback, dean and professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, facilitated a conversation between Rajiv Vinnakota, president of the Institute for Citizens and Scholars, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to youth civic learning, civic engagement and diversity in higher education, and Kristin Kanthak, associate professor of political science in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Science.
The event was in support of Pitt’s Year of Discourse and Dialogue programming, and it covered a range of topics, including young people’s views of democracy and what students can do to build public trust in higher education. Review the recap of the event and those five takeaways on Pittwire.
Climate Action Road Show hosted by Pitt Sustainability!
Pitt is committed to Carbon Neutrality by 2037, and our Climate Action Plan details a path to get there - and everyone on campus is a part of it! The Climate Action Road Show will prepare you and your colleagues to take climate action every day at Pitt in five distinct, impactful, and practical ways, and show you how these daily decisions drive Pitt towards carbon neutrality.
The Road Show is designed for a large audience; we would love to present as part of your next all-team meeting. This content can be presented from 15 minutes up to 60 minutes to fit within your meeting agenda or can be scheduled as an independent presentation. Register to have Pitt Sustainabiltity present to your team.
If you have any questions, please contact Emily Potoczny, Sustainability Engagement Manager.
2024 Christmas Day at Pitt Gift Drive
Consider donating a wrapped or unwrapped gift to the children that join us for our 19th Annual Christmas Day at Pitt!
Gift Drive Dates: November 18 - December 9, 2024
How to Donate: Drop off unwrapped gifts to 1723 Cathedral of Learning by Monday, December 9, 2024.
Questions? For more information or if you have any questions, please email Justin Dandoy at justin.dandoy@pitt.edu.
Pittsburgh Scholar House Graduation Celebration and Holiday Mixer
Celebrate the season and achievements of local scholars at the Pittsburgh Scholar House Graduation Celebration & Holiday Mixer! Join them on Wednesday, December 11 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Energy Innovation Center for an evening filled with celebration, joy, and holiday cheer. They’ll honor this year’s graduates and recognize the academic accomplishments of our community.
Enjoy refreshments, connect with scholars, families, and supporters, and share in the festive spirit of the season. Don’t miss this special evening! RSVP online.
Congratulations to Pittsburgh Scholar House's Dr. Sherlyn Harrison on being named to the New Pittsburgh Courier's 2024 Women of Excellence list!
Learn more about the honor and the upcoming celebration.
Congratulations to Pitt Human Resources' Tom Armstrong on receiving the first-ever ACCESS Award!
Colleagues called Tom Armstrong a “beacon of light” who fosters a sense of community and connection for new University employees with disabilities. Armstrong, diversity recruiting and transition consultant in Pitt’s Office of Human Resources, is the inaugural recipient of the new Advocating Campus Change for Equitable & Supportive Solutions Award from OEDI’s Disability Resources & Services.
The ACCESS award was presented for the first time in a ceremony Oct. 30 at the University Club at the culmination of Pitt’s observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Input Needed: Examples of Community Engagement
The University of Pittsburgh is completing a self-study and will be submitting an application to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education: Elective Classification for Community Engagement. This classification is an important pillar in the Plan for Pitt 2028 and is a high priority for University leadership.
Faculty, Staff, and Student Input Needed
The Office of Engagement and Community Affairs is seeking examples of community engaged scholarship, teaching, and research projects from the University community that show the breadth, depth and quality of our engagement commitments. We welcome all examples of projects that show faculty, staff, and students working directly with local community members, partners, or groups. Examples can be from coursework, surveys, abstracts, published scholarly articles, etc. Supplemental media (Word documents, PowerPoint files, PDFs, a link to a website, a news article, multimedia, etc.) can be submitted as well.
Send your examples and any questions to Jamelle Price, jap260@pitt.edu.
Community Engagement Professional Courses are now available!
Pitt's Office of Human Resources has opened registration for the Faculty and Staff Development Program (FSDP) for the fall term. The Office of Engagement and Community Affairs teaches three courses through this program for interested faculty and staff members who want to learn more about how to be an effective and ethical collaborator to Pitt's local communities.
These courses include:
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Equity and Inclusion Considerations for Engaged Scholars and Practitioners - Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The courses are hybrid; taught in-person at 342 Craig Hall, 200 S. Craig Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 or via Zoom.
If you are interested in completing the full Community Engagement Professionals Certificate program, you can take 3 additional elective courses in diversity and inclusion, sustainability, global competence and workplace knowledge and finish by responding to a capstone prompt. Register for classes today!
Chancellor Joan Gabel recognized nine Pitt staff members with top awards!
Congratulations to the nine staff members recognized at the 2024 Chancellor’s Awards for Staff Excellence. Find the full list of winners in PIttwire.
Audrey Murrell is helping develop emerging Black leaders at Pitt and beyond
Audrey J. Murrell is invested in helping organizations tap into their most valuable resources: people. The Joseph M. Katz Graduate Business School professor of business administration has had an impressive career doing so and been sought out for her expertise by clients like IBM, FedEx, Kraft Heinz and others in the private and public sectors.
Her mission? “To have an impact by ensuring positive outcomes in the workforce,” said Murrell, who also has appointments in Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and Department of Psychology. Four years ago, she took that mission a step further by joining the faculty at The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI). Learn more in Pittwire.
Pitt’s United Way Campaign is back
Pitt’s United Way Campaign has returned for another year of giving and impact. Pitt will continue this partnership guided by the leadership and vision of the 2024-25 campaign chair, Vice Chancellor of Engagement and Community Affairs Lina Dostilio. She will work in tandem with the campaign director, Kelly Gilliam, to meet the goals outlined for the year.
Find a list of volunteer opportunities, workshops and events on the campaign website. Staff and faculty can record up to 7.5 hours per month on their timecard for volunteer service, with supervisor approval. Questions can be directed to PittUnitedWay@pitt.edu or by calling 412-624-5800.
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2025 Advancing Research Impact in Society Award Nominations are open!
Nominations for the 2025 Advancing Research Impact in Society Awards are now open through Friday, December 6, 2024.
Criteria for Selection
Review your nomination materials to ensure they provide good information about how the nominee(s) reflect each of these criteria. The titles of each criterion should appear as a heading at the beginning of paragraphs in your nomination letter, followed by short summaries of the ways you feel the nomination reflects each criterion.
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Commitment - The nominee(s) has/have demonstrated, through their work, a commitment to ensuring that research benefits society.
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Alignment- The nominee(s) has/have demonstrated alignment with the goals of NSF’s broader impacts criterion or with other definitions/frameworks for societal impact of research.
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Evidence- There is evidence of impact in the work of the nominee(s). Evidence could include quantitative and/or qualitative measures or indicators of outcomes — changes in understanding, behavior, or broader conditions in the related context of the focus area(s) of the nominee(s).
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Advancement-The work of the nominees(s) holds promise for raising awareness about, growing, and sustaining the consideration of and attention to societal impacts in conducting research, and in translating discoveries.
Learn more about the awards process and submit a nomination.
Campus Compact Engaged Scholars Initiative Information Sessions
Attend an informational session to learn more about the Engaged Scholars Initiative program and application process. ESI is a one-year leadership and professional development program designed to develop a diverse group of early career faculty and staff in the civic and community engagement field. This year we are running two cohorts. The first is for individuals and the second is for teams from institutions who want to go through the process together. We will accept up to three individuals from each institution. It is a members-only program. Your organization must be a member of Campus Compact to participate.
Informational Session dates/times:
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Monday, December 2, 2024 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (ET)
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Wednesday, December 4, 2024 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (ET)
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Tuesday, December 10, 2024 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (ET)
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Thursday, December 12, 2024 3 to 4 p.m. (ET)
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Tuesday, January 21, 2025 4 to 5 p.m. (ET)
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Thursday, January 23, 2025 10 to 11 a.m. (ET)
Register for the event or learn more about the Engaged Scholars Initiative.
Addressing Wicked Issues through Community-Engaged Scholarship - 2024-2025 Series: Youth and Gun Violence
The addressing wicked issues through community-engaged scholarship initiative takes a deep dive into some of the most critical issues threatening our communities and explores how we—higher education community engagement professionals, practitioners, and scholars—can make a difference.
Each year, participants will engage in a series of webinars and discussions that explore how knowledge about a particular issue is being generated and how people can come together to put that knowledge to good use—creating local solutions to these wicked problems. This series is jointly hosted by Campus Compact and the Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship (ACES).
Program Series:
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Wicked Issues series: Addressing youth gun violence kick-off coalition conversation - December 11, 2024, 3 to 4 p.m. ET
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Wicked Issues series: Addressing youth gun violence through community-engaged research - January 22, 2025, 3 to 4 p.m. ET
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Wicked Issues series: Addressing youth gun violence through community-engaged teaching & learning - February 19, 2025, 3 to 4 p.m. ET
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Wicked Issues series: Addressing youth gun violence through student-led civic engagement - April 16, 2025, 3 to 4 p.m. ET
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Wicked Issues series: Addressing youth gun violence through anchor strategy & community partnerships - May 14, 2025, 3 to 4 p.m. ET
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Wicked Issues series: Addressing youth gun violence wrap-up and closing conversation - June 4, 2025, 3 to 4 p.m. ET
Register for the series.
Join the 2024-2025 Mid-Career Learning Community
Campus Compact is now accepting applications for up to 15 practitioner-scholars to join the 2025-2026 Mid-Career Learning Community, a cohort-based leadership and professional development experience designed for mid-career community-engaged faculty and staff.
Program Calendar
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Applications close: December 6, 2024.
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Selected participants announced: January 6
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In-Person opening retreat: March 31, 2025 at Compact25 in Atlanta, GA
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Virtual meetings: 1 to 2 p.m. PT / 4 to 5 p.m. ET, first Thursday of each month May 2025 through February 2026
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In-person closing retreat: March 16, 2026 at Compact26 in Chicago, IL
The cost to participate is $175 per person, and limited scholarships may be available. Participants are also expected to cover their own expenses for attend Compact annual conferences. Learn more about this program and register today!
Campus Compact Member Open House Sessions
Find out how to get the most out of Campus Compact membership! Attend a virtual Open House to discover the information you need about the tools, resources, and programs available to Campus Compact members. You’ll hear about ways everyone on your campus—faculty, staff, senior leaders, and students—can leverage Campus Compact membership to support institutional priorities and move forward civic and community engagement work. Open to existing and prospective members!
Next session: Wednesday, December 18, 2024, 2 to 3 p.m. ET. Register today!
Presenting at the 2024 CUMU Conference? Call for Manuscripts
The Metropolitan Universities journal is accepting full manuscripts for the upcoming 2024 CUMU Conference Issue: Beyond Boundaries. The issue is scheduled for publication in summer 2025 and the call is open to presenters at the conference. Amplify your work and learn more about the submission process on the CUMU website.
Manuscripts are due December 1, 2024. Please direct any questions regarding this issue to:
CUMU Open House
The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities will be hosting an Open House on January 14, 2025 from 2 to 3 p.m. ET. You’ll learn about:
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New: Webinar series focused on student success
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Anchor Learning Network (ALN): A cohort-based learning community that builds both individual capacity for anchor work and also connects your campus with this powerful network.
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Huddles focused on Community-Engaged Research, Latine Student Communities, Strategic Communications and Sustainability and the Anchor Mission
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Metropolitan Universities journal (MUJ)
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Research Initiatives and much more!
Whether you’re a long-time member, a new member, or thinking about joining CUMU, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about membership and get involved. Open to all; register online!
Preparing and Evaluating Engagement Dossiers
In this workshop, Rod Williams, vice provost for outreach and engagement at Texas Tech University, will discuss how to frame your dossiers, incorporate important components, and report impact. This session will also address strategies to evaluate engagement dossiers in external reviews and on primary promotion committees.
Date and Time: January 22, 2025, 12 to 1 p.m. ET. Register online.
Assessing Transformation: Evaluating Learning in VE/COIL Experiences
Learn about the evolving landscape of educational assessment within Virtual Exchange/Collaborative Online International Learning (VE/COIL) environments. This webinar will explore a range of methodologies used to measure the transformative impacts of VE/COIL on student learning and growth. Participants will learn about both traditional and advanced tools, including the integration of artificial intelligence, to enhance the precision and utility of assessments. Expert panelists will discuss how these assessments can effectively refine teaching practices and align with institutional goals, ensuring meaningful and measurable advancements in higher education.
Date and Time: December 10, 2024, 10 to 11:15 a.m. ET; Register online.
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Greater Hazelwood
Exciting Opportunity awaits!
The University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Engagement and Community Affairs is hiring an Outreach Coordinator to support the Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment. This role will focus on fostering and sustaining community and University collaborations, strengthening partnerships, and supporting the development and implementation of the resident and community engagement strategy for the future Community Engagement Center in Greater Hazelwood. Learn more about the position and apply on the University's job portal.
Career Counseling in Hazelwood
Are you or someone you know interested in employment opportunities at Pitt? Interested in career counseling, resume/cover letter support, and University employment workshops? Connect with Celiwe Jones on Dec. 12 at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh – Hazelwood (5006 Second Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15207) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can also connect with Celiwe directly at crj44@pitt.edu or 412-290-2285.
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Hill District
Pitt Jazz In the Hill
The next Pitt Jazz in the Hill session takes place on December 11, 2024 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Engagement Center in the Hill District, 1908 Wylie Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The session will be Paul Thompson Salutes Ray Brown.
This event is free and open to the public!
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Homewood
Diabetes Awareness Month Bingo
Join the Community Engagement Center in Homewood, 622 N. Homewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208, on Tuesday, November 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for a fun night of bingo, prizes, and dinner! Call Sam to register at 412-383-4160.
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The Office of Engagement and Community Affairs distributes a variety of newsletters full of community updates, volunteer opportunities, and more. Sign up for all of our newsletters, or share this link with a friend, to get connected today! www.community.pitt.edu/newsletter
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