Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Articles
PCHE BIPOC
Jaclyn Smith and I attended the PCHE BIPOC New Faculty & Staff Welcome & Reception at Chatham University. It was a great opportunity to network with other colleges and universities. Thank you, Karina Chavez, Dr. David Finegold, President and all the participants for making it a memorable event.
DEI values: SAFETY
Safety is one of the five values of the DEI office. I was told that despite communication regarding the importance of wearing badges, employees perceive they are exempt and give some of our officer’s problems when asked to wear their badges or have them visible. We cannot have certain freedoms without…
Q4 Pittsburgh Diversity Council Chapter Meeting
PTC hosted the Q4 Pittsburgh Diversity Council Chapter meeting, Tuesday, October 18th. The topic was Allyship: “I’d like to solve the puzzle”: Allyship presented by Dr. Paul Spradley, VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Dollar Bank). Thank you, Haleigh McDonald, Business Development and Event Programmer (National Diversity Council) for coordinating the…
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Cultural Competence & Workplace Diversity Training
Cultural Competence & Workplace Diversity Training Shout out!! Congratulations to the Graphic Design students who completed the Cultural Competence & Workplace Diversity training. Thank you, Alicia Cerullo for your commitment to expanding access to our students as they prepare to enter the workforce. From left to right:Nathan Lambert, Emma Kuzminsky, Rohmen…
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Testing Center is open
Hello PTC Community, We are pleased to announce that the Testing Center in Room 604B will be open to students who are approved for testing accommodations beginning in the October quarter! Currently, the Testing Center is used for Accuplacer Testing. This will continue, but now students who are approved for a…
Student ID card changes
Dear PTC Community, We are excited to announce a change to the back of Student ID cards: they will now include a QR code that links students to the Health & Wellness Center webpage where students can book appointments for both health and counseling services. We hope that by making booking…
Connect With Us on TikTok
Follow us on TikTok to hear from other students about what’s on their minds this back-to-school season, and join in by sharing how you support your mental health and tackle challenges. Click here to connect Hashtag #MentalHealth #JEDCares #SchoolMentalHealth #BackToSchool #MentalHealthMatters
NAMI x JED’s Mental Health Guide to College
Find expert advice for college students on everything from creating healthy relationships to taking care of your emotional health and staying safe on campus in this easy-to-follow, information-packed guide. Click here to learn more
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Going to Campus Mindfully: How to Plan for a Supported, Connected, Less Stressful Year
We know it can be stressful as you head into a new school year, which is why we put together a guide to help you think about what you want out of this year, how you can stay connected to yourself and others, and plan for a year that feels good to you.…
You Are Here
You Are Here is an experience from JED and our partners at PINK offering tips, practices, and resources for navigating transitions like back to school with intention, connecting with your authentic self, pressing pause when you need to, and embracing your next chapter. Click here to learn more
JED is here to support you
This back-to-school season, JED is here to support you with useful advice, tips, and resources to plan for a strong start. Beginning right now, exactly where you are, you can take the first steps to have a year that feels good to you. Feeling Stressed? We can’t always control the…
Transition to 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline The 10-digit Lifeline number 1-800-273-TALK (8255) will continue to be operational after July 16 and will route calls to 988 indefinitely. Need Support Now?If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org Stephanie A. Svilar, Ed.D., LPC, NCC (She/Her)Dean…
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Cheryl Lumsden
The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and DEI Task force wish to thank Cheryl Lumsden for her dedication, commitment, and service to Pittsburgh Technical College and her passion and persistence in serving on the task force. I had the privilege of working alongside her and other members for over a…
Wellness Walk Campaign
In collaboration with the Dr. Stephanie Svilar, I am pleased to launch the Wellness Walk Campaign. The purpose is to promote physical activity as one of many ways to improve mental health and well-being. Walk for 15-30 minutes between the hours of 11 am-1 pm with a colleague or student around…
Training & Development
Congratulations to the graduating Surgical Tech class of 2022!! First class to complete the Cultural Competence and Workplace Diversity training. Instructor: Gabrielle Muzina Students: A Johnson, A. Pritt, D. Abrantes, D. Matson, G. Thomas, J. Illig, K. Schulmeister, L. Mills, M. Forry, T. Gozur We are so proud of your commitment…
Pride Month Finale
Thank you, Shane McGarvey and the Rainbow Alliance, for hosting the Pride Month Camp Fire finale. We had a wonderful time celebrating with students, faculty, and staff. I am privileged to work for an institution that promotes an authentic, not aspirational culture. The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusions values (civility, advocacy,…
Juneteenth
Juneteenth, the official name of the federal holiday Juneteenth National Independence Day, also called Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Black Independence Day, and Juneteenth Independence Day, is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, observed annually on June 19. This year Juneteenth falls on Sunday, June 19, 2022. In 1863, during the American Civil War, Pres. Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation,…
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The purpose is to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses as well as sharing strategies for maintaining mental health and wellness. Additionally, MHAM strives to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health. …
Cultural Competency Professional Development
April 6th kicks off DEI’s cultural competency training, which are as follows: What’s in a Name? Understanding and Respecting Preferred Names and Gender Pronouns Session description: The session covers best practices for using preferred names and gender pronouns. It will provide information on how faculty can promote inclusivity and belonging in the…
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Celebrating Women’s History Month
We had a wonderful time celebrating Women’s History Month. On behalf of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office, and DEI Task Force, we wish to extend a heartfelt appreciate to everyone who attended the Women’s History Month program. Special Thanks… Program participants:Dr. Alicia B. Harvey-SmithFrank SchurterDr. Melissa WertzDr. Stephanie SvilarMr. Shane…
Pittsburgh’s Hill District
Have you ever read about the history of Pittsburgh’s Hill District? It has a phenomenal history. At its height (about 1930s-1960s), it was a thriving, vibrant community that inspired August Wilson’s Fences, and a nationally recognized hub of culture, business, and music for the African American community. The Pittsburgh Courier had…
Combating Racism Through Knowledge
Ignorance is a root cause of our race and culture wars. This is a bold statement. Let me describe my support and then discuss ways to overcome it. Most people and cultures fear what they do not understand. You can see this in your daily lives. Think about the anxiety most…
CompTIA is changing the language used on all Certification Exams: Here’s why.
Inclusive Technical Language | CompTIA In support of DEI initiatives, IT organizations have recognized that terminology and concepts that had become common industry promoted racial and cultural bias. In response to our current social justice movement, there is a push toward replacing that identify and replace language that does not foster…
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Celebrating Black History Month
Black History Month Reflection Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland, and the United Kingdom.…
The Tuskegee Airmen Memorial
This memorial honors the nearly 100 Tuskegee Airmen from Western Pennsylvania (more than any other region of the United States.). It is the largest memorial of its kind in America. These pioneering African Americans overcame racial prejudice and discrimination along with opposition of the US Army High Command to become an…
Being An Authentic Employer of Choice
I recently participated in a panel hosted by Allvoices and SingleSprout. The topic for the discussion centered around “How to be an authentic employer of choice and ensure people feel valued.” I started thinking about what that means to me and how I can ensure everything I do supports and promotes…
Jingle & Mingle
Tuesday, December 14th Student Services and the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion hosted the Jingle & Mingle. A wonderful time was had by all, and the event could not have happened without the involvement of the following individuals who made up the Jingle & Mingle ensemble: Alex Hazen, Dr. Alicia…
Reflecting on 2021
When I started at Pittsburgh Technical College in February 2021, I never expected to accomplish as much as I have in one year. Under the illustrious leadership of President, Dr. Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, and a supportive Board of Trustees, the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion emerged as a beacon of…
The Surprising Value of Transcription and Text Equivalency
One of the core tenants of digital accessibility is that all meaningful visual information (photos, artwork, videos, etc.) should have equivalent text. Most often, this comes in the form of alt tags—a hidden field that contains information about the image being displayed on the page—or in the form of a written…
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The Celebration of Kwanzaa
Official Kwanzaa Website Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration held in the United States that honors African heritage in African American culture. Kwanzaa is observed from December 26 to January 1 and culminates in gift giving and a big feast. Kwanzaa has seven core principles, or Nguzo Saba, as follows: 1. Umoja (oo–MO–jah):…