The following initiatives and programs demonstrate the office's commitment to the work of enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion at Pitt.
Embracing Diversity and Inclusion: Diversity Statement
A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion is a fundamental value of the University of Pittsburgh and is critical to achieving our mission as a public research university. Fostering an inclusive and diverse community is vital as we aim for excellence in teaching and discovery.
Creating a More Racially Equitable University
The University of Pittsburgh is dedicated to changing internal practices, structures and attitudes in pursuit of a truly more equitable and just Pitt. This is a comprehensive and crosscutting effort, requiring action from all areas of the University. As a way to ensure transparency and accountability, this social justice website provides information about our actions, track our progress and serve as a place for community members to find resources.
Faculty Diversity and Development
As diversity is a critical ingredient in research and educational excellence, in 2020 a Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Development was appointed to lead critically important equity initiatives, including working to help faculty diversity become more representative of the student body and national demographics. The Vice Provost for Faculty Diversity and Development leads strong efforts to engage the University in the IChange Network, which seeks to cultivate post-secondary institutions where STEM faculty from underrepresented groups (URGs) are widely recruited, hired, and retained, and all STEM faculty employ inclusive teaching, advising, and research mentoring.
Anti-Black Racism: History, Ideology, and Resistance
Built from the expertise of Pitt faculty and Pittsburgh-area activists, this virtual course (PITT 0210) explores the established tradition of scholarship focused on the Black experience and Black cultural expression and examines the development, spread, and articulations of anti-Black racism in the United States and around the world. Constructed as a 14-week program, it tackles three key areas of inquiry—the roots, ideology, and resistance to anti-Black racism—through readings, lectures and discussions.
Race and Social Determinants of Equity and Well-being Cluster Hire and Retention Initiative
Building upon the Plan for Pitt, the University of Pittsburgh is committed to successfully identifying, recruiting, hiring, retaining and promoting 50 or more faculty, across Pitt’s campuses, schools, disciplines and departments. This University-wide cluster hire and retention initiative will transform Pitt’s expertise in, and research on, Race and Social Determinants of Equity and Well-Being.
Latinx Initiative
In 2019 the provost committed to supporting a Latinx Cluster Hire Initiative over the course of the next three to five years so that Pitt can significantly increase the number of faculty focused on Latinx issues throughout the various departments and schools of the University. View and download the Introducing the Cohort: The Latinx Cluster Hire Initiative at the University of Pittsburgh report from the Pitt Global website.
Faculty Diversity Recruitment Initiative
The Faculty Diversity Recruitment Initiative encourages chairs and their deans/regional presidents to work together to strengthen the diversity of the faculty at Pitt. In the initiative’s current form, the Office of the Provost provides financial support to Provost area schools and campuses that have identified outstanding potential faculty from underrepresented groups. Units must have an existing open faculty line, or borrow against an anticipated line that will become available within three years. When requesting funds through the Faculty Diversity Recruitment Initiative, academic units must explain how the potential hire will strengthen diversity in their units, and describe their plans for encouraging faculty retention.
Provost’s Diversity Institute for Faculty Development
The Provost’s Diversity Institute for Faculty Development was created to offer University of Pittsburgh faculty the opportunity to increase awareness about diversity and develop skills needed to teach in a diverse, multicultural environment.
Provost’s Award for Diversity in the Curriculum
The Provost’s Award for Diversity in the Curriculum formally recognizes the efforts of faculty to integrate diversity and inclusion into their courses and curriculum.