Engagement chosen for 2020-21 ‘Year of’ theme

Get ready to get involved in the Year of Engagement.

Provost Ann Cudd announced the theme for the 2020-21 “Year of” program this week. The current Year of Creativity is continuing virtually using some very creative approaches.

“Engagement with each other — whether civic, community, or campus — allows us to create new possibilities for humanity, for fellowship, and for innovation and discovery,” Cudd said in her announcement. “Engagement is fundamental to community building, to deepening the connections between us, and to critical self-discovery. A focus on engagement is ideal for a university setting because here we learn and teach about communities, while coming together to create new ones.”

Creating new ways to be engaged has been vital during this time when the Pitt community is dispersed around the country and world. Kathy Humphrey, senior vice chancellor for Engagement, recently  launched Pittwire Live to help keep students, faculty and staff connected to the University from their remote locations.

Humphrey and her office will lead next year’s Year of Engagement, Cudd said.  

“One thing I have learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is that we do not necessarily need physical proximity to stay connected to each other and with our campus communities,” the provost said.

A committee of faculty, staff, and students will be formed to coordinate the Year of Engagement.  More information and a website will be coming later. As in years past, the Office of the Provost will provide matching funds (up to $5,000) to support events and projects related to engagement. 

Previous “Year Ofs”:

2019-20: Creativity

2018-19: Pitt Global

2017-18: Healthy U

2016-17: Diversity

2015-16: Humanities

2014-15: Sustainability

— Susan Jones

 

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