Nominate your favorite changemakers for Pitt’s diversity awards by Dec. 4

Nominations are now being accepted to recognize changemakers and visionaries who are advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility across the University with Pitt’s diversity awards, which will be presented during Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Week on Jan. 26.

Find forms for the UPSIDE Award and Creating a Just Community Award online. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 4.

Recognizing Pitt units

Since 2016, the University Prize for Strategic, Inclusive and Diverse Excellence — or “UPSIDE” — has been presented each year to a University of Pittsburgh school, division, initiative or program area that has made an outstanding effort toward increasing diversity and inclusion. The award includes a $10,000 prize.

Factors for consideration include a consistent, multiyear effort to increase diversity and inclusion; innovative approaches to diversity and inclusion in areas such as recruitment, retention and promotion in academic programming and business activities; and programs that have developed creative and innovative approaches that can serve as models for other University business units.

Last year’s award was presented to Office of Faculty Diversity and Development and Office of Health Sciences Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for their work on the “Race & ...” Initiative.

Recognizing faculty and staff

The Creating a Just Community Award debuted in 2014. It recognizes Pitt faculty and staff members who have made outstanding efforts to create a more just, equitable and inclusive University community. The award includes a $5,000 cash prize.

The 2023 award was presented to Michele Reid-Vazquez, the founding director of the Center for Ethnic Studies Research and leader of the Afrolatinidad Studies Initiative.

For more information about either award, email diversity [at] pitt.edu.