Chancellor's Affirmative Action Award

Purpose

The Chancellor’s Affirmative Action Award was created by an initial gift made to the University of Pittsburgh by Drs. Maryann F. Coffey and Joseph I. Coffey. It has been re-instituted through the efforts of the Senate Anti-Discrimination Policies Committee and the Office of the Chancellor, in cooperation with the Coffeys and with supplemental funding being provided by the Chancellor’s Office.

The award will be presented “to the outstanding University of Pittsburgh program area or individual that has made a significant contribution in Affirmative Action.” For purposes of this award, affirmative action has been defined as the “increase of access to and full participation in all aspects of University functions by minorities and women and those who have been declared members of protected classes by executive orders, legislation or court decisions.” Among the factors to be considered in the selection process are:

• Innovative approaches to increasing diversity within the University community in areas such as recruitment, retention, promotion, academic, and other programming and business activities or enterprises, and;

• A consistent record of commitment and success in affirmative action efforts, diversity programs and related initiatives within the University community. Greater consideration will be given to those nominations that include multiple years of documented advancements for the reviewing committee to consider.

The amount of the award will be $2,500. In the case of an award to a program area, that amount will be a budget augmentation. In the case of an award to an individual, that amount will be made available for the awardee’s private use. Program areas will receive a strong preference over individuals in the selection process. Individuals or programs that were previously nominated (but not selected as the award recipient) may be nominated again.

The request for nominations is generally announced in March of each year.

2011 Award Winner

We are pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Chancellor’s Affirmative Action Award is Ms. Alaine M. Allen, Director, Pitt Engineering Career Access Program (PECAP). Ms. Allen has had an extraordinary impact on the diversity efforts in the School of Engineering throughout her career in the School, which began in 1994.  PECAP’s sustained success is directly attributable to her dedication to the work of the program and the wide variety of services and opportunities it provides for underrepresented students through INVESTING NOW’s precollege preparation programs in science, technology, engineering and math and EXCEL’s counseling, mentoring, academic support and professional services for Pitt’s undergraduates.  Because of Ms. Allen’s efforts in serving as a mentor and advocate for potential and current students as well as Pitt alumni, these individuals have been able to realize their aspirations and develop their full potential.

Congratulations Alaine!