Strengthening our engagement with the communities around us is a strategic goal of the University. A new institutional structure has been developed to advance these community engagement efforts, based on input from Pitt faculty and staff, called the Staff Community of Practice (SCOP) for Community Engagement.

The goals of the SCOP include strengthening community engagement and building a network of practitioners who can support and mentor one another to advance involvement with our communities.

SCOP is co-facilitated by Jamie Ducar, director of community engagement in the Office of Community and Governmental Relations, and Julia Spears, associate vice provost for academic innovation in the Office of the Provost. The group will meet once per term and discuss initiatives and best practices in community engagement. 

Before the group’s first meeting, staff members are invited to complete a survey to express interest in attending the meeting and participating in SCOP, as well as to help guide conversation topics. Please complete the survey by Tuesday, Oct. 22.

Questions can be directed to Jamie Ducar at jamieducar@pitt.edu.