Update on Diversity

April 28, 2010

Pitt has formally submitted the proposal for the iSchools Inclusion Initiative to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The proposed grant will fund a 3-year pilot program designed to attract individuals from under-represented segments of the population to prepare for academic appointments in iSchools. Ten other iSchools and 3 major corporations with offices in Pittsburgh have committed teaching and mentoring support to participants in the program. The proposal has also received the enthusiastic support of the SIS Board of Visitors and Provost Maher.

Shari Manges, a diversity specialist in the Office of Human Resources, will discuss diversity issues with the SIS Council on May 21. Faculty and staff are invited.

SIS is one of the sponsors of the “Race in America” conference organized by the School of Social Work. This important conference, led by Dean Larry Davis, will be held June 3-6. See http://www.race.pitt.edu/ for details.