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Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment

Pitt has been a collaborator in the Greater Hazelwood community for 25 years. Pitt is also a powerhouse in the life sciences.

Combining these two efforts is the next phase of our community commitment to the people of Greater Hazelwood: community-led efforts to identify educational and economic benefits in the emerging life sciences industry. This includes the development of educational opportunities in STEM for children, building new paths of employment and innovative workforce development programs, and increased resource development and sharing.

This effort is part of the University's existing neighborhood commitments, which also include partnerships with the Homewood, Hill District, and Oakland neighborhoods.

A historic, aerial shot of Hazelwood Green

Pitt's History in Greater Hazelwood

For the past 25 years, Pitt has collaborated with the Greater Hazelwood community to identify, provide, and support capacity-building programs, engagement initiatives, and resources and services for residents.
The BioForge at Hazelwood Green

Next Phase: Planning for Community and Life Sciences Industry Integration

The next phase of Pitt's community commitment supports community-led efforts to identify educational and economic opportunities in the emerging life sciences industry for the people of Greater Hazelwood. This includes the development of educational opportunities in STEM for children, building new paths of employment and innovative workforce development programs, and increased resource development and sharing.

  • Phase 1 (Now through January 2024): Working with community leaders, University leaders, and key systems leads to develop a list of opportunities to pursue.
  • Phase 2 (Spring 2024): Residents and community members will learn, collaborate, and reflect with the planning team on what opportunities would have the biggest benefits to the community.
A microscope sitting on a table in a lab. The lab table is covered with various items.

What is the life sciences industry?

The life sciences industry researches, develops, and manufactures cutting-edge technologies that treat life-threatening diseases and health conditions. It can include medicine creation, food product evaluation, vaccine treatments, and much more.
A woman in a white lab coat looks through a microscope.

What can the life sciences industry, Greater Hazelwood, and Pitt do together?

  • Develop educational opportunities in STEM for children—from preschool through high school—so Greater Hazelwood’s youth have a future in the life sciences industry.
  • Build new paths of employment and innovative workforce development programs so that residents can work in the life sciences industry in Hazelwood and across Pittsburgh.
  • Advance goals within the Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Plan.
An artistic depiction of the future of Hazelwood Green.

Priority Areas & Planning Team

Priority Area

Planning Team

Pre-K to 12 Education
  • Deborah Gallagher, Director, Early Head Start/COTRAIC
  • Dr. Cassie Quigley, Department Chair, School of Education, Pitt
  • Danielle Chaykowsky, Director of Programs, Center of Life

Workforce Development
  • Dr. Danielle Davis, President, Davis Consulting Services
  • Kinsey Casey, AVC for Economic Development, Pitt
  • Dr. Debra Killmeyer, Workforce Development, Postsecondary Education

Inclusive Community Development
  • Sonya Tilghman, Executive Director, Hazelwood Initiative
  • Trupti Sarode, Director of Innovation & Strategy, Pitt
  • Abby Horn, Deputy Director, DHS Community Services