Duquesne and Community Leaders Collaborate to Enhance Engagement

Duquesne’s Center for Community-Engaged Teaching and Research (CETR) has enlisted local community leaders as part of its new planning process to strengthen the University’s relationships in and involvement with Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. The project was made possible by an anonymous grant.

Dr. Lina Dostilio

Community leaders including Grant Ervin, chief resiliency officer for the City of Pittsburgh, Bill Generett, president and CEO of Urban Innovation 21 and Sunanna Chand, learning innovation strategist of Remake Learning are among those who’ve been tapped by CETR to collaborate with Duquesne administrators, faculty and staff to identify which of the University’s significant assets and resources can be even better matched with the concerns and needs of the surrounding neighborhoods.

Additional community members on the committee include Rod Harris, deputy director of Community Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for the Allegheny County Health Department, and Terri Baltimore, vice president of neighborhood development for the Hill House Association.

“Duquesne University has a long tradition of meaningful and sustained community involvement, flowing from our Spiritan founders’ Catholic mission,” said Duquesne President Ken Gormley. “We are thrilled to launch this new initiative, taking advantage of the expertise of top community leaders to widen the reach of the University’s impact and service here in the local Pittsburgh community.”

CETR supports community-engaged teaching, learning, and research that promote knowledge creation, civic development and community transformation. The Center supports and facilitates partnerships and activities among faculty, students and community partners with the aim of positively impacting the community.

“I have seen first-hand the power and promise of Duquesne University’s successful community engagement efforts. These efforts have and continue to increase the quality of life of some of our region’s most vulnerable communities,” said Gennerett.  “Urban Innovation21 is just one small example of the many community based efforts that would not have happened without the University’s support. As the Pittsburgh region’s economy continues to grow its economy, we must accelerate our work to make sure our most vulnerable communities are not left behind. Through this strategic planning process, I am excited to help CETR build upon the University’s solid community engagement foundation.”

Duquesne University representatives on the new planning process committee include:

  • The Rev. James McCloskey, C.S.Sp., senior advisor to the president for strategic initiatives, Office of the President
  • Mary Ellen Solomon, assistant vice president for executive affairs, Office of the President
  • Dr. Alan Seadler, associate provost, Office of Research
  • Mary Frances Dean, executive director of major and planned giving
  • Dr. Darlene Weaver, director of the Center for the Catholic Intellectual Tradition
  • Luci-Jo DiMaggio, director of mission animation
  • Dr. Rick McCown, the Pierre Schouver, C.S.Sp., Endowed Chair in Mission.

The committee will be led by a team of external consultants that includes Nancy Franklin of Franklin Solutions; Jamillia Kamara formerly of Public Allies; and Megan Good, formerly of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

“Together, this team of consultants understands the national landscape of community engagement practices within higher education and has intimate knowledge of the assets and strengths found within Pittsburgh’s communities,” explained Dr. Lina Dostilio, director of CETR.

The committee will work on the planning process through June 2017.