News

an array of canned food items on a table

Pittsburgh-Area Food Drives and Distributions

With the recent cuts to food assistance benefits, many community partners are organizing food and supply drives and distributions to support our neighbors and ensure that everyone has access to enough food. 

rendering of new granada theater

CEC in the Hill District Moving to the New Granada Theater in Early 2026

The University of Pittsburgh Community Engagement Center in the Hill District is moving to its new home in the historic New Granada Theater in early 2026.
day of caring volunteer vacuuming a floor at Peoples Oakland

Pitt’s Day of Caring connected volunteers and the community

108 faculty, staff and students said yes to helping their neighbors on Oct. 17.
vernard alexander

2 Pitt people were named Larry’s Hometown Heroes by KDKA

Vernard Alexander, director of Pitt's CEC in Homewood, has been named one of Larry's Hometown Heroes.
2025 garbage olympics

Volunteer for the 2025 Pittsburgh Garbage Olympics!

On Saturday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., volunteers will be competing in the Garbage Olympics to clean up trash across the City of Pittsburgh. Register to compete today!
dr. jamilah ducar

Dr. Jamilah Ducar to lead Office of Engagement and Community Affairs

Dr. Jamilah Ducar will serve as the new Associate Vice Chancellor for Engagement and Community Affairs within the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs effective Aug. 25, 2025.
2024 block party in oakland square

2025 Be A Good Neighbor Block Parties

This September, join the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs throughout Oakland for fun, food, prizes, meeting your neighbors, and making connections!
celiwe jones

How Pitt is developing — and hiring — workers close to home

As a workforce development career counselor in Pitt’s Office of Human Resources, Celiwe Jones is helping Pittsburgh residents navigate the hiring process and find meaningful careers at the University.
heidi ward

How Heidi Ward is helping write the next chapter of Greater Hazelwood

For Heidi Ward, home is where the heart is — and where her advocacy is rooted. She’s not only the director of Pitt's Neighborhood Commitment in Greater Hazelwood, she lives there, too.
bioforge

2 grants will advance Pitt life sciences and cyber training opportunities

The Richard King Mellon Foundation has awarded two grants to the University of Pittsburgh that will help fund new job training programs in Pittsburgh’s emerging cybersecurity, biomanufacturing and life sciences industries, among others.
summer cleaners job fair flier

Join us for a Summer Cleaners Job Fair

Join us at the Community Engagement Centers in Homewood and the Hill District for a job fair specifically for hiring summer temporary cleaners. Bring your resume and dress for success at this free event with on the spot interviews.
celiwe jones talks to an attendee at an event at the cec in homewood

Pathways to Pitt Employment: Career Counseling at Pitt's CECs

Navigating employment opportunities at a large institution like the University of Pittsburgh can be overwhelming, but Celiwe Jones is here to help. As Pitt’s workforce development career counselor, Celiwe offers career counseling, application assistance, and workshops to connect residents of the Hill District, Homewood, and Greater Hazelwood with employment opportunities at Pitt. 

students and instructor during a session of the biotechnology curriculum

Pitt and the Smithsonian have teamed up to teach life sciences skills to local middle schoolers

Middle school students in Pittsburgh’s Greater Hazelwood neighborhood are getting hands-on with biotechnology thanks to a partnership between Pitt’s Office of Engagement and Community Affairs and the Smithsonian Science Education Center.
2024 christmas day at pitt thumbnail

Join us for the 2024 Christmas Day at Pitt!

You're invited to the 19th annual Christmas Day at Pitt! Join in the merriment of the holidays at Pitt where all guests receive a delicious holiday meal, gifts for children, and winter accessories for adults.
partners in possible: stories of pitt's impact across our communities

Partners in Possible: 2024 Community Impact Report

The Office of Engagement and Community Affairs is thrilled to share Partners in Possible, our 2024 Community Impact Report, featuring stories of Pitt’s impact across our communities.