About the Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment

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.

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.

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.
92
Engagement activities led or participated in by the team since the start of Pitt's commitment
25+
Years that Pitt has been a collaborator in Greater Hazelwood
2027
Expected opening year of the CEC in Greater Hazelwood

Project Team

Heidi Wardheidi ward
Director, Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment
haw221@pitt.edu

All Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment Staff

Priority Areas and 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 Solutions
  • 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, Public Service Leader, Housing and Community Services

In the News

Learn more about Pitt's commitment in Greater Hazelwood and the developments occurring with the BioForge and the life sciences industry:

Additional Resources
an intersection in hazelwood

Explore Hazelwood's Vibrancy
hazelwood green rendering

Discover Hazelwood Green
a fence with the word resilient

Review the Neighborhood Plan
the hazelwood planning team in england

England Site Visit Report
an aerial view of hazelwood

Life Sciences Job Opportunities Report
Connect With Us
Share Your Thoughts

You are invited to share your feedback, or ask a question, regarding the University of Pittsburgh’s neighborhood commitment in Greater Hazelwood and the emerging life sciences corridor.

Submit Your Feedback
Contact Our Team

Get in contact with our project team as we collaborate with our partners to integrate Greater Hazelwood into this transformative industry.

Heidi Ward, Director
Sierra Mason, Project Manager
Follow Our Neighborhood Commitment

Stay up to date on our commitment, find our team at neighborhood events, and more on social media.

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