OIDI in Action
Discussing the Different Dimensions of Diversity
The OIDI in collaboration with CCAC–North Campus’s Professional Development and Academic Affairs divisions hosted a cultural competency event for faculty, staff and students. The event featured a panel of distinguished local professionals representing various diverse constituencies. The goal of the informative event was to help individuals expand their concept and definition of diversity and to understand inclusion. The panelists included Dina Clark, director, YWCA Center for Race and Gender Equity; Chico Ficerai, coordinator, Veteran’s Center for Excellence grant; Melissa Perkins, consultant, Persad; and Lucy Spruill, director, Public Policy and Community Relations, United Cerebral Palsy (UCP). The panel was moderated by Sumana Misra-Zets, director, College and Community Diversity Initiatives.
Neighborhood Point of View
In honor of Black History Month, OIDI hosted an event to celebrate the rich past and current revitalization of three of Pittsburgh’s historic minority neighborhoods: the Hill District, Homewood and the North Side. The event featured a panel of community leaders: Sarah B. Campbell, an iconic civil rights activist and community organizer from Homewood; Will Thompkins, director of Community Outreach, The Pittsburgh Project; and Kim Ellis, executive director, Historic Hill Institute. |  |
Today’s Rosie the Riveter—Careers for Women in the New Millennium
In honor of Women’s History Month, the OIDI in collaboration with the Perkins grant was proud to sponsor a panel discussion which focused on career opportunities for women in non-traditional jobs.
Non-traditional occupations are defined as occupations in which less than 25% of workers are of one gender. These occupations often pay up to 30% more than traditional occupations, which provide women with family sustaining wages, and are often deemed as “high priority” and “high demand”. The panel had representatives from the fields of engineering, construction, the electrical trades and green technology, and was moderated by Kristin Cinkovic-Pesch, non-traditional student support specialist.