Carnegie Mellon University

Outreach & Engagement

Dietrich College intentionally and respectfully builds partnerships with groups outside of the university in order to collectively address societal challenges.

At Dietrich College, we believe that our community engagement efforts...

  • must be driven by community goals
  •  support sustainable partnerships, rather than transactional relationships
  • honor divergent views
  • and lift communities within and outside of Dietrich College

Humanities and social sciences faculty, staff and students collaborate with community partners across a wide variety of sectors, from education and healthcare to the arts and technology. These partnerships take many forms: non-profits serve as clients in student research projects; Pittsburgh K–12 students participate in hands-on learning experiences on campus; and public cultural events create space for shared storytelling.

Key Terms & Definitions

Engagement

CMU programs, projects, outreach or activities that have a demonstrable positive impact beyond the university community. In many cases, engagements include collaborating with external organizations.

Impact Criteria

CMU uses 18 indicators to understand the cultural, economic and societal impact our university is making through our programs, projects, outreach and activities. 

Partners

Non-CMU groups participating in or co-constructing a mutually beneficial program, project or activity.

Resources

Explore Existing Partnerships

Forging new partnerships for a class or program takes time and effort. A catalogue of existing initiatives helps us build off established relationships instead of starting from scratch or duplicating efforts across colleges. For a more in-depth look at Dietrich-specific initiatives contact Sarah Ceurvorst, academic pathways manager.

Deepen Partnerships & Share Your Impact

Whether you're looking to launch a new engagement initiative or share the story of your existing collaboration, we’re here to help. Contact Ayana Ledford, associate dean for community impact and educational outreach, and Sarah Ceurvorst, academic pathways manager.

Secure Support for Community Engagement

If you need support securing funding for external outreach & engagement efforts, email Adam Causgrove, senior director of strategic partnerships, and David Gardner, senior associate director of development.