Diversity

The Dietrich School is a vibrant community of learners, strengthened by the broad range of perspectives, experiences, and interests that makes us unique. We’re committed to promoting diversity and the understanding of diversity among our faculty, staff, and students, and across curricula. This commitment is exemplified by innovative and inclusive programs and activities we’ve developed to raise awareness of—and sensitivity to—the differences and distinctions we use to define and understand ourselves and each other. 

At the Dietrich School, we don’t just recognize our diversity—we rely on it, we value it, and we support each other in fulfilling our greatest potential.

Read more about the Dietrich School's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and learn about our DEI training series.

Dietrich School Diversity Review and Task Force
The Dietrich School Diversity Review was initiated in April 2018 with the Dean of the Dietrich School, Kathleen M. Blee charging the Dietrich School Diversity Task Force with the objective of understanding where the Dietrich School lies in the continuum of diversity, inclusion and equity relative to the other schools within Pitt, and across the US. The Task Force is chaired by Professor Tara Meyer, Senior Advisor to the Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.   
 

Faculty

The Dietrich School Diversity Committee, established in 2013, is currently focusing on strengthening faculty diversity by developing and implementing best practices, procedures, and policies for recruiting, mentoring, and retaining female and underrepresented minority faculty members who reflect the breadth of our student body and society at large.

The Diversity Committee is available to serve as a resource in the following ways:

  • Consulting with departments on how to enhance their faculty recruitment efforts;
  • Assisting departments in building and sustaining practices of intellectual and collegial inclusivity and support; and
  • Providing group or one-on-one training for department chairs on effective faculty mentoring.

For more information on how to engage the Dietrich School Diversity Committee in further developing your department’s recruiting, mentoring, and retention activities, contact Administrative Coordinator Stephanie McLaughlin. For more information about faculty leadership opportunities within the Dietrich School, visit the Professional Development section of our Web site. Learn more about our Guidelines for Writing a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Faculty Diversity Committee Members 2022-2023

Kay Brummond, Associate Dean of Faculty, Professor of Chemistry
Rosemary Capo, Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies and Academic Integrity Officer and Associate Professor of Geology and Environmental Sciences
Lynn Clarke, Appointment Stream Faculty and Teaching Associate Professor, Department of Communication 
Frayda Cohen, Assistant Dean, Teaching Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program
Nicole Constable, Professor and Chair of Anthropology, Professor of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Research Professor, University Center for International Studies 
Jennifer Cousins, Teaching Associate Professor of Psychology 
Roberta Mendonca De Carvalho, Teaching Assistant Professor of Urban Studies 
Lorraine Denman, Coordinator of Language Program, Teaching Professor of French and Italian
Julie Fiez, Professor and Chair of Psychology
Burhan Gharaibeh, Teaching Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Bella Grigoryan, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures
Sarah Joshi, Teaching Associate Professor of Film and Media Studies and Director of Pittsburgh London Film Programme 
Adam Leibovich, Associate Dean for Faculty Recruitment and Research Development, Professor of Physics and Astronomy; Director - Pittsburgh Quantum Initiative (PQI)
Haitao Liu, Professor of Chemistry 
Andrew Lotz, Assistant Dean, Teaching Professor of Political Science
Calum Matheson, Associate Professor of Communication, Director of Debate, Chair of the Department of Communication
Tara Meyer, Senior Advisor to the Dean in DEI, Professor of Chemistry
Diana Khoi Nguyen, Assistant Professor of the Department English 
Abdesalam Soudi, Teaching Associate Professor of Linguistics
Lenore Thomas, Associate Professor of Studio Arts, Chair of the Department of Studio Arts
Ting Zhang, Associate Professor of Statistics

Faculty Diversity Committee Members 2021-2022
Danielle Andrews-Brown, DS Assistant Dean, Lecturer of Geology and Environmental Sciences
Jon Boyle, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Kay Brummond, DS Associate Dean, Professor of Chemistry
Rosemary Capo, Associate Professor of Geology and Environmental Sciences
Lynn Clarke, Assistant Dean for Appointment Stream Faculty
Frayda Cohen, Senior Lecturer, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program
Nicole Constable, Professor and Chair of Anthropology, Professor of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Research Professor, University Center for International Studies 
Jennifer Cousins, Lecturer II of Psychology 
Lorraine Denman, Coordinator of Language Program, Senior Lecturer of French and Italian
Julie Fiez, Professor and Chair of Psychology
Sarah Joshi, Lecturer II of Film and Media Studies and Director of Pittsburgh London Film Programme 
Roberta Mendonca De Carvalho, Lecturer of Urban Studies 
Nicole Mitchell Gantt, Professor and William S. Dietrich II Endowed Chair in Jazz Studies, Music
Diana Khoi Nguyen, Assistant Professor of the Department English 
Bella Grigoryan, Professor and Chair of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures
Adam Leibovich, Associate Dean for Faculty Recruitment and Research Development
Haitao Liu, Professor of Chemistry 
Andrew Lotz, DS Assistant Dean, Senior Lecturer of Political Science
Calum Matheson, Assistant Professor of Communication, Director of Debate
Tara Meyer, Senior Advisor to the Dean in DEI, Professor of Chemistry 
Lenore Thomas, Associate Professor of Studio Arts
Amy Murray Twyning, Senior Lecturer of English
Abdesalam Soudi, Lecturer of Linguistics
Ting Zhang, Associate Professor of Statistics
Alyson Sved, Administrative Coordinator 

Faculty Diversity Committee Members 2020-2021
Danielle Andrews-Brown, DS Assistant Dean, Lecturer of Geology and Environmental Sciences
Jon Boyle, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Kay Brummond, DS Associate Dean, Professor of Chemistry
Rosemary Capo, Associate Professor of Geology and Environmental Sciences
Kehui Chen, Associate Professor of Statistics
Lynn Clarke, Assistant Dean for Appointment Stream Faculty
Frayda Cohen, Senior Lecturer, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program
Lorraine Denman, Coordinator of Language Program, Senior Lecturer of French and Italian
Julie Fiez, Professor and Chair of Psychology
Nicole Mitchell Gantt, Professor and William S. Dietrich II Endowed Chair in Jazz Studies, Music
Bella Grigoryian, Professor and Chair of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures
Yona Harvey, Assistant Professor of English
Adam Leibovich, Associate Dean for Faculty Recruitment and Research Development
Andrew Lotz, DS Assistant Dean, Senior Lecturer of Political Science
Calum Matheson, Assistant Professor of Communication, Director of Debate
Tara Meyer, Senior Advisor to the Dean in DEI, Professor of Chemistry 
Lenore Thomas, Associate Professor, Department of Studio Arts
Amy Murray Twyning, Senior Lecturer of English
Abdesalam Soudi. Lecturer of Linguistics
Alyson Sved, Administrative Coordinator 

Faculty Diversity Committee Members 2019-2020
Danielle Andrews-Brown, DS Assistant Dean, Lecturer of Geology and Environmental Sciences
Jon Boyle, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Kay Brummond, DS Associate Dean, Professor of Chemistry
Yolanda Covington-Ward, Professor and Chair of Africana Studies
Rosemary Capo, Associate Professor of Geology and Environmental Sciences
Kehui Chen, Associate Professor of Statistics
Frayda Cohen, Senior Lecturer, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program
Lorraine Denman, Coordinator of Language Program, Lecturer II of French and Italian
Julie Fiez, Professor and Chair of Psychology
Nicole Mitchell Gantt, Professor and William S. Dietrich II Endowed Chair in Jazz Studies, Music
Yona Harvey, Assistant Professor of English
Irina Livezeanu, Associate Professor of History
Andrew Lotz, DS Assistant Dean, Senior Lecturer of Political Science
Calum Matheson, Assistant Professor of Communication, Director of Debate
Lenore Thomas, Associate Professor, Department of Studio Arts
Amy Murray Twyning, Lecturer II of English
Abdesalam Soudi. Lecturer of Linguistics
Alyson Sved, Administrative Coordinator 

Faculty Diversity Committee Members 2017-2019
Kay Brummond, Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Robin Brooks, Assistant Professor, Africana Studies
Rosemary Capo, Associate Professor, Geology and Environmental Science 
Yu Cheng, Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Statistics
Mazviita Chirimuuta, Associate Professor, History and Philosophy of Science
Yolanda Covington-Ward, Associate Professor of Africana Studies
Angie Cruz, Assistant Professor, Department of English 
Lorraine Denman, Lecturer II, Coordinator - Italian Language Program
Waverly Duck, Associate Professor, Sociology
Julie Fiez, Professor and Chair of Psychology
Irina Livezeanu, Associate Professor History
Imani Owens, Assistant Professor, English
Rebecca Roadman, Director of Special Projects and Initiatives Dietrich School Dean’s Office
Amy Murray Twyning, Lecturer II English, Literature Program Assistant

Faculty Diversity Committee Members 2016-2017
Kathy Blee
Jerome Branche
Yu Cheng
Yolanda Covington-Ward
Waverly Duck
Yona Harvey
Tara Meyer
Lara Putnam
Linda Rinaman
Chandralekha Singh
Jennifer Whiting

Faculty Diversity Committee 2015-2016
Kathy Blee
Jerome Branche
Yu Cheng
Yolanda Covington-Ward
Waverly Duck
Yona Harvey
Lara Putnam
Linda Rinaman
Chandralekha Singh
Jennifer Whiting

Faculty Diversity Committee 2014-2015
Tia-Lynn Ashman
Kathy Blee
Steve Finkel
Shelome Gooden
Terrance Hayes
Sandy Mitchell
Rena Robinson
Chandralekha Singh
Christel Temple

Faculty Diversity Committee 2013-2014
Tia-Lynn Ashman
Kathy Blee
Steve Finkel
Shelome Gooden
Terrance Hayes
Sandy Mitchell
Rena Robinson (spring only)
Chandralekha Singh
Christel Temple

Graduate Students

The Office of Diversity Initiatives in the Graduate Studies Dean’s Office is an essential aspect of the Dietrich School’s commitment to preparing all of our students for life, learning, and work in our increasingly global world. 

Our role is to serve as a resource to prospective and current students from underrepresented populations, helping to identify opportunities and experiences of particular benefit, with an emphasis on recruiting, mentoring, and retention.
 
For more information on our programs and activities, visit https://www.asgraduate.pitt.edu/diversity/diversity-fellowship-programs or contact Philippa Carter, Manager of Diversity Initiatives, at pkc3@pitt.edu or 412-624-6096

Undergraduate Students

We believe that student achievement inside the classroom requires our investment and involvement in students’ lives outside the classroom. The Undergraduate Studies Dean’s Office offers a broad array of academic, social, cultural, and career-readiness programs and activities that support and promote the success and well-being of our underrepresented students.

From workshops and seminars with faculty, to peer mentoring and one-on-one tutoring and the BE STEM Center, we have created extensive support structures to ensure that all of our students have access to the resources they need to achieve their highest potential.

For more information on the many ways we’re here to serve, visit these links:

Staff

The Dietrich School staff diversity committee is focused on staff diversity issues within the Dietrich School.  We are looking to create an inclusive environment for all staff regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, and class.  We want to strengthen diversity endeavors for our staff by giving them opportunities to update their skills and practical knowledge pertaining to issues of diversity.  We want to assist in recruiting a more diverse work force and creating  chances  to experience a wider range of diversity.  The staff diversity committee is an essential aspect of the Dietrich School’s commitment to staff diversity in action.  Begun in 2016, the Committee's role is to serve as a resource to prospective and current staff from helping to identify resources, opportunities, and experiences of particular benefit.