Faculty presenting at October conferences

• Dr. Mary Beth Rauktis, US Scholars to Portugal, presented at the 2022 Fulbright Association Annual Conference: "Portuguese Residential Care for Children" Octboer 8th 9-10:50am. See more.

• Dr. Toya Jones gave the keynote October 9, 2022 for the funder panel at the individual artist-focused preconference, The Year of Our Lorde at the Grantmakers in the Arts Conference. Read more.

• Dr. Nev Jones will be the Ground Rounds speaker for the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. Her talk is titled 'Where Have We Been, Where Should We Go?: An Agenda for Transforming Schizophrenia Research'. Oct 11th, 2-3pm EST. To register, please email Nev at nevjones@pitt.edu."

U Times covers Ron Idoko's move from OEDI to Center on Race and Social Problems

Ron Idoko has been named associate director for the Center on Race and Social Problems and assistant research professor with the School of Social Work. Idoko is transitioning from his role as diversity and multicultural program manager in the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, where he has been since 2019. He has been the driving force behind the annual Diversity Forum and has spearheaded and led the Racial Equity Consciousness Series. Read more in University Times.

Jail report gets reaction from warden and activists

Dean Betsy Farmer, Daniel Lee, Christina Huerta, and Amanda Cruce completed a study that collected surveys from 1,418 people who were incarcerated at the Allegheny County Jail (ACJ). 

Recently, ACJ warden Orlando Harper and local organization B-PEP addressed the concerns raised in the report. See more:

• WTAE-TV: Allegheny County Jail warden addresses concerns of conditions inside jail 
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Jail warden responds to Pitt study on county jail, criticism from activists
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: B-PEP calls for sanitation, warmer temps, better medical care at Allegheny County Jail
• 90.5 WESA: Groups detail 'dangerous conditions' at Allegheny County Jail, bring concerns to oversight board

Alumna joining PAE in new director position

MSW alumna Dan'Talisha Deans will be joining the University of Pittsburgh Division of Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement (PAE) as Director of Development for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, starting on October 17th. Dan’Talisha will partner with PAA, OEDI, Student Affairs, schools and centers on alumni engagement and fund raising strategies, and serve as content expert and thought leader on DEIB engagement and fund raising in the context of PAE's ongoing work to become more inclusive of and responsive to the diversity of the communities they serve. 

Alumna named Emerging Leader

MSW alumna Anette Nance was selected for the emerging leaders program for Leadership Pittsburgh cohort 30. The Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) program is an investment in the future leader. LDI is an 8 month long program for high-potential young professionals. This creative and innovative leadership training program has served as a model for several others around the country. Read more.

Photos from 22nd Annual Mon Valley HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk

Faculty members Aliya Durham and Victor Figuereo, along with members of the SEC, participated in the 22nd Annual Mon Valley HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk on October 1st.

"There was a need for volunteers for the event and I wanted to serve in a way that would help allow local communities familiar with and impacted by HIV/AIDS to participate in the walk without worrying about event logistics like route security" said Figuereo. "It was a great turnout that also included free HIV testing and local resources from Allies and Prevention Point (e.g., Service information, HIV prevention tips, Harm reduction and substance use education)."

Alumnus named Head of School

James A. Chavis, (BS '80, MSW '05) has been named the Head of School for LIFE Male STEAM Academy Charter School in Wilkins Township. PA. Read more.

ICYMI: Alumni Speaker Series

Check out the September Alumni Speaker Series: “Social work to small business owner” with MSW alumna Jessika Lopez of El Lucero Market in Lodi, CA. Watch here.

Civic Action Week at Pitt

It’s time for Civic Action Week at Pitt!

This year, events are taking place on Saturday, October 22, from 8AM to 3PM.

We are excited to be supporting the Mulford Community Teaching Garden. 

Operating since 2008, these flower and vegetable gardens remove blight in Homewood South.

Volunteers are needed for garden and playground clean up.

Please use this link to sign up!

Jumpstart at the University of Pittsburgh

Are you looking for a Work Study or volunteer opportunity? Are you interested in working with children, community engagement, and/or education? Consider joining Jumpstart! Jumpstart is currently recruiting students from across the University to serve during the 2022-23 school year as either a Work Study employee or as a volunteer. If you are interested in joining Jumpstart, sign up for an interview here. Since our program has already started, the sooner you register for an interview, the better!  

DHS Local Government Case Competition 2022 

Who participates? Graduate students in the areas of public policy, social work, psychology, public health, business, law, sustainability or other relevant fields to local government.  

When is the competition? Wednesday, November 9 – Saturday, November 12 

What can students expect? Participants will join us virtually on the evening of November 9^th, at which time they will be presented with a challenge facing the public sector and will meet the students they’ll be working with. Over the next 48 hours, teams devote as much time as they need to come up with a solution. Presentations will occur in person at the Human Services building in downtown Pittsburgh on Saturday, November 12. Winning teams receive cash prizes. More detailed info can be found in this brochure Local Government Case Competition brochure and on our website https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Human-Services/News-Events/Events/Local-Government-Case-Competition.aspx

How should students apply? Students should register here: the registration form by October 29, 2021.