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The 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s relationship with the communities surrounding its five campuses can be summed up by two words: connection and commitment. Those values — along with the University’s role as a major employer, landowner and partner in Western Pennsylvania’s economic and social progress — led to 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s designation as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

“Being an Innovation and Economic Prosperity-designated university means that 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s contributions to regional economic and community growth are reviewed and externally validated,” said , vice chancellor of engagement and community affairs.

“The Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation helps us remain accountable to our role as a great public University and celebrate what 51��Ʒ��Ƶ and the region can achieve together,” she said.

In 2014, the University first received the designation from the APLU, which strives to act as a trusted voice for public research and land-grant universities across North America. 51��Ʒ��Ƶ also achieved the APLU Innovation Award in 2018 and the Place Award in 2020.

“At 51��Ʒ��Ƶ, we believe that community engaged work propels innovation and opportunity,” said . “It serves to not only amplify our students’ learning experiences and the overall impact of our research and discovery, but further cultivates the meaningful societal and economic transformation of our city and surrounding communities for the good of all.”

A bulwark for local development

“51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s community and economic engagement wouldn’t be possible without many close partnerships across the region, ranging from grassroots neighborhood organizations to regional partners such as the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, Allegheny Conference on Community Development and United Way of Southwestern PA,” said Dostilio.

Many of 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s economic development efforts fall under the umbrella of the , a suite of strategies to leverage 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s operational demand, economic activity, physical footprint and mission to amplify institutional impact regionally and in the areas of greatest need.

Led by , assistant vice chancellor for Anchor Initiatives in the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs (ECA), 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s anchor work has primarily been expressed through three efforts: Buy, Build, Hire Local, support for workforce development programs and investments in housing affordability.

The University is an investor in several affordable housing strategies within Oakland, the neighborhood surrounding its 51��Ʒ��Ƶsburgh campus, and recently donated land to construct a 48-unit affordable housing complex tailored for LGBTQ+ older adults.

51��Ʒ��Ƶ is also a developer and partner in the , which unites Oakland’s leading institutions to promote the neighborhood’s assets.

"In order to achieve equitable growth in Oakland, it is essential to create accessible pathways for residents of surrounding neighborhoods to secure employment that offers strong career trajectories, family-sustaining wages and comprehensive benefits,” said Sean Luther, president and CEO of InnovatePGH, which leads the Innovation District.

“One of the standout opportunities for graduates of our program has been the Animal Lab Technician position at 51��Ʒ��Ƶ, and we look forward to continuing to identify roles where we can provide targeted skills training and reduce barriers to entry for individuals who might otherwise be excluded from these opportunities,” he said.

A future in life sciences

The University is leading the development of 51��Ʒ��Ƶ BioForge, a biomanufacturing facility that will help create a life sciences corridor along the Monongahela River. The development is located on Hazelwood Green, the 178-acre former Jones and Laughlin Steel mill site in the Greater Hazelwood neighborhood.

Simultaneously, the University has agreed to establish its third Neighborhood Commitment in Greater Hazelwood, using 51��Ʒ��Ƶ BioForge and the larger field of life sciences to catalyze community-partnered efforts that advance community goals. 51��Ʒ��Ƶ’s , led by Executive Director of Place-based Initiatives Keith Caldwell, provide long-term staffing, infrastructure and coordination to facilitate mutually beneficial collaborations between 51��Ʒ��Ƶ and the local community. ��

“The University’s newest biomanufacturing development plays a pivotal role in Greater Hazelwood as a catalyst for community-partnered efforts,” said Heidi Ward, neighborhood resident and director of ECA’s Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment.

“In addition to connecting efforts in K-12 education, workforce development and community development to the life sciences, the effort will establish a Community Engagement Center, creating a welcoming doorway to partnerships across all 16 schools of the University,” said Heidi Ward.

“Through this endeavor, we aim to forge partnerships that strengthen both the community and the University,” she said.

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— Nichole Faina and Juliana Zipay, photography by Aimee Obidzinski