The inaugural Tracy Soska and John Wilds Outreach and Engagement Leadership Award is presented by the Community Engaged Scholarship Forum to honor a faculty member or staff engagement professional who serves the University of Pittsburgh through their outstanding dedication to University-community connections. Through their contributions, the awardee strengthens our institution’s knowledge, understanding, practice, and reflection on the opportunities of community-based collaboration.
In the award’s inaugural year, selection of the awardee was made by event cochairs along with Soska and Wilds. Going forward, the selection committee will be composed of event cochairs, a representative from the Staff Community of Practice for engagement, and chair(s) of the University Senate Community Relations Committee.
2020 Awardee
The 2020 awardee is Sabina Deitrick, associate dean and associate professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
As an avid proponent of community outreach and engagement, Deitrick has led numerous research efforts as well as the development of partnerships like the Pittsburgh Neighborhood and Community Information System.
Dietrick’s work as codirector of Pitt’s Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) led to a close working relationship with both Soska and Wilds to mobilize students, faculty, and staff members to address problems identified by community partners in COPC neighborhoods, including housing, economic development, employment, neighborhood revitalization, education, and health and wellness.