Just about everyone on Earth was touched or affected in one way or another by the pandemic that had its start in late 2019. For too many, remembering 2020 will be difficult considering the losses experienced - most of those losses will carry consequences for some time to come.
Despite the opportunities for growth, improvement and change that circumstances have afforded, most of us will have conflicted memories because of the massive loss of life and potential that COVID-19 added to the yearly toll.
At CLAS we have been fortunate for being able to continue learning, creating and sharing in the midst of the crisis. This year we commenced an internship program with the Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation (PHDC). We now have three undergraduate students, Hannah Schoenig, Bernardo Viera and Franco Chiappori interning with PHDC. At the same time, we are working on additional opportunities for Spring.
This will be the last CLAS Newsletter for 2020. As such, we sincerely hope that this coming Winter Break is a time for rest, reflection and planning for all the opportunities 2021 will bring. We also hope that you will join us once start our programming in January. Happy Holidays, may all the best come your way.
The Pitt Alumni Association seeks your assistance in nominating qualified candidates for the position of director-at-large on the Pitt Alumni Association Board of Directors. Directors-at-large serve for one term of two years, with the option to be reappointed to serve a second term. The board term will begin on July 1, 2021 and be effective until June 30, 2023.
Nominations for the 2021-2023 term are now open and must be submitted by Friday, January 22, 2021.
The Pitt Alumni Association Board of Directors is an advisory board that works closely with the staff of the Pitt Alumni Association who are responsible for the day-to-day operations. Board members serve a critical role by providing strategic direction, resources, and professional expertise to help carry out the Pitt Alumni Association vision and mission.
Directors-at-large are voting members who must have received one or more academic degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and who must be willing to adhere to the board member responsibilities and duties.
Please plan to provide a professional summary (resume, C.V., LinkedIn Profile, etc.) for the nominee and a letter of support from someone other than the nominator.
We appreciate your assistance in this important endeavor for the University of Pittsburgh. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Stacy McLinden atstacy.mclinden@pitt.edu.
New Publication by Former CLAS Director: Dr. Carmelo Mesa-Lago:
December 6-18, 2020 A Treasured University of Pittsburgh Tradition
Travel virtually through all 31 Nationality Rooms and learn about each country's holiday traditions with Quo Vadis tour guides. View videos and/or live virtual events that call attention to the many world cultures presented by the Nationality Room Committees.
Learn about Diwali, Polish paper cutting, traditional Norwegian lefse, hear some English Christmas poems, experience the Lithuanian Kucios, watch a variety of ethnic cooking demonstrations, and so much more!
Request for Proposals:
Year of Engagement Funding Opportunity
The first of three deadlines for proposals for
the 2020-2021 academic year is October 1, 2020.
The Year of Engagement is an unprecedented opportunity to position the University of Pittsburgh as a global leader in engagement. The Funding Committee invites students, staff and faculty to build partnerships that confront challenges and co-create solutions at the institutional, local, regional, statewide, national or international levels in the 2020-21 academic year and beyond. Applications for up to $8,000 to support new programs, events, productions, curricula, convenings, experiments, operational improvements, practices, research, product development and other possibilities toward reaching this goal are invited. The Funding Committee encourages the submission of applications throughout the month of September to kick start the year with exciting engagement activities! During September the Funding Committee will be reviewing proposals as they are submitted.
For some time now, Pitt has been working hard to respond to amplify resources related to racial and ethnic disparities. In 2020, following events that made the urgency of related issues clearer to people around the world, additional efforts and resources have been made available. It is then relevant to highlight some useful links to enhance understanding and contribute to an increasingly equitable and prosperous world for everyone.
The Student Emergency Assistance Fund is a joint venture led by the Office of the Provost, Office of Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement, Student Government Board, the Graduate & Professional Student Government, and the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. The health and safety of our Pitt community, particularly our students, is paramount.
The fund, to be administered at the direction of the Provost, will be used to provide financial support for degree-seeking students of the University of Pittsburgh with unanticipated and insurmountable expenses related to emergency situations that may result in students facing financial hardship. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students may apply for funds when they experience a financial barrier based on an emergency situation, and when they have exhausted all other available resources.
Chancellor Patrick Gallagher called upon the University to acknowledge our role in the response during this time of great challenge… Join us in Pitt’s Pandemic Service Initiative: expanding staff, faculty, and student service; contributing to drives and collections; and forging innovative partnerships. We are rolling up our sleeves.
PANDEMIC RESPONSE SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
As part of the Pitt Pandemic Service Initiative, faculty, staff, and students are coming together to meet critical community needs. You can make a difference with even just a small amount of time. Priority needs identified by community partners include care and connection calls and IT support.
We’re committed to being a University of the community. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitt students, faculty, and staff are volunteering to provide technology support, well-checks, and a host of other forms of support.
For community members, this means access to resources and information.
CLAS' community engagement programs play a pivotal role in sharing information and expertise on Latin America to educators both at the college/university level and kindergarten through secondary (K-12) level, the professional community, and general public as part of its Educational Public Service (Outreach) mission.
Community Engagement programs are offered throughout the academic year. These include but are not limited to: professional development workshops, study abroad opportunities, faculty development seminars, summer research fellowships, curriculum development projects, school visit program, lecture and film series, resource lending library, list of Latin American Organizations in Pittsburgh, and newsletters, including CLASicos and a weekly newsletter.
The Housing Assistance Resources Portal (HARP) for the City of Pittsburgh is a guide that offers housing-related resources whether you are interested in renting, currently renting, interested in buying a house, a current home-owner, a landlord, or currently experiencing homelessness. This tool is meant to be representative and inclusive of all City of Pittsburgh residents, in every neighborhood, from every income level and every community.
"Housing, especially affordable housing, will always be a premier issue of my administration and staff as long as there are City of Pittsburgh residents who are impacted by housing concerns. Housing is a human right." -Mayor William Peduto
Events:
To see the latest events happening in our community, please"CLICK HERE". You will see a list of events by date.
We are creating a list of local Latin American and Caribbean cuisine offerings to support and promote your business. Please complete the included survey to help us identify you and find out what services you offer (delivery, takeout, hours, menu, etc.).
We plan to share this list with other local organizations, and promote it in our newsletter and email list. We hope that you take the time to answer this questionnaire. Thank you!
ClickHEREto see the list of local Latin American and Caribbean Cuisine you can order!
(Call for papers, training, conferences, academic, research, and resources opportunities)
For call for papers, training and conferences: Call for papers, training and conferences opportunities are listed by deadline dates and are updated as information is available.
