A September 9, 2022 Forbes article describes a perfect storm associated with the fact that, “In the past six months, dozens of college presidents have announced resignation or retirement plans.” Consequentially, search firms are flourishing; highly qualified candidates are being more selective; and there is the real possibility that some presidential/chancellor searches could fail this year.
Buttressed by a search firm, the University of Pittsburgh is in the process of searching for a new Chancellor. At some point during the search process, one of the final candidates might be asked, “If offered, why would you accept the position of Chancellor at our University?” Hopefully, she/he will respond substantively, in their words, as follows.
Pitt states, “Since 1787, we've never stopped pushing the edge of what's possible.” As such, the University is well positioned to continue its institutional progress during the 21st Century as evidenced by facts such as [1] it is the number one public university in the Northeast as well as one of the nation’s top 25 public universities; [2] it is a leader in National Institute of Health funding; [3] it has at least a $5.2 billion Pennsylvania impact; [4] it has five Campuses with more than 32,000 high achieving students and 14,000 talented employees; and [5] it has approximately 350,000 alumni, with 97% of the most recent graduating class having achieved a successful career outcome within 6 months of graduation!
With its main Campus located in Pittsburgh, Pitt is uniquely qualified to fulfil its community engagement mission. Notwithstanding the fact that the City of Pittsburgh’s Gender Equity Commission’s 2019 Report (“Pittsburgh Inequality Across Gender and Race”) cited facts that portrayed Pittsburgh as one of the most difficult cities in which Blacks live, ironically, Pittsburgh has been ranked as one of America’s “most livable cities.” In terms of Pitt’s progress, what is required is that Pitt play its appropriate roles in making Pittsburgh the most livable City for all of its citizens.
As an example of what can be done by way of community engagement, consider the fact that Pitt “…announced a $100 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation — the nonprofit’s largest single-project investment in its 74-year history — to fill in a vital missing link in the region’s economy. The grant, to be disbursed in $10 million increments over 10 years, will help build a highly specialized biomanufacturing facility on an old mill site and former brownfield in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood. Called Pitt BioForge, this facility will leverage the cutting-edge biomedical research conducted at Pitt and the world-class clinical care offered at UPMC. This project will bring an entirely new commercial manufacturing sector to Pittsburgh and, if all goes according to plan, increase the economic opportunity for residents and families in and around Hazelwood…” (Pittwire, March 17, 2021).
Given Pitt’s $5.2 billion Pennsylvania impact, plus the facts that [1] it is a leading employer in Pittsburgh; [2] it has rich experiences related to developing more than 83 companies in five years; and [3] it has a vast vendor contracting budget, Pitt is uniquely qualified to be of service in terms of preparing Pittsburgh citizens to participate meaningfully in a 21st century workforce.
For a new Chancellor, this is a special moment given that, about a decade ago, Pitt entered the rarefied air of capital campaigns by completing a more than $2 billion campaign. In recent years, UC Berkeley and the University of Texas at Austin initiated $6 billion campaigns. Therefore, leading Pitt’s next capital campaign is a magnificent opportunity to implement a similar, if not greater effort.
Of all that it does, nothing is more important than Pitt’s role in developing our precious human resources, particularly students who are increasingly a matter of national concern. By way of clarification, the 2022 Institute of Education Sciences Report On the Condition of Education indicated the following: “In fall 2020, of the 49.4 million students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools, 46 percent were White (a decrease from 54 percent in 2009), 15 percent were Black (a decrease from 17 percent), and 28 percent were Hispanic (an increase from 22 percent) …During this time, public school enrollments among White students decreased from 26.7 million to 22.6 million, and Black students’ enrollment decreased from 8.2 million to 7.4 million. In contrast, Hispanic students’ enrollment increased from 11.0 million to 14.1 million between fall 2009 and fall 2019 before dropping to 13.8 million in fall 2020. In both fall 2009 and fall 2020, Asian students made up 5 percent of public elementary and secondary enrollment, and American Indian/Alaska Native students made up 1 percent. In fall 2020, Pacific Islander students made up less than one half of 1 percent of public elementary and secondary enrollment, and students who were of two or more races made up 5 percent (Racial/Ethnic Enrollment in Public Schools).
…In 2020, the immediate college enrollment rate for Asian students (86 percent) was higher than the rates for White (67 percent), Hispanic (60 percent), and Black (54 percent) students. For Asian, White, and Hispanic students, the immediate college enrollment rates were not measurably different between 2020 and 2010. However, for Black students, the immediate college enrollment rate decreased from 2010 (66 percent) to 2020 (54 percent)…”
Given Pitt’s [1] outstanding scholars and senior leadership in its School of Education; [2]
nationally renowned Learning Research and Development Center; [3] distinguished faculty members from related Departments throughout the University; and [4] highly qualified graduate students, Pitt is uniquely qualified to be of service in terms of working with the Pittsburgh Board of Education and other school districts to help address the foregoing high school student dynamics. Indeed, it is in Pitt’s vested as well as national interests to do so.
Structural racism exists at Pitt as well as at all other historically White institutions of higher education, so much so that many are “sick and tired of being sick and tired” of the slow rate of change. However, without excusing the snail-like pace of change, it must be understood that the race for equity and social justice is not a moment, but a movement; not a quick sprint, but rather a tortuous long-distance race. That is precisely why Pitt’s next Chancellor must be an experienced person who will be transformative in terms of pushing the edge regarding the rate of equity and social justice progress at Pitt as well as within the region.
In sum, Pitt is one of the very best nationally ranked institutions seeking a new Chancellor. Serving as the next Chancellor is an outstanding opportunity to be of service when it comes to [1] leading the University, City, State, and Nation in terms of providing equal opportunities for all of our children from pre-K through post-doctoral programs; [2] continuing the University’s progress in terms of teaching, research and service excellence; and [3] becoming a national model for a university advancing equity and social justice and, in turn, contributing to the main Campus’ host City becoming the most livable City for all. In terms of a decision to accept the position of Chancellor, also of great significance is the fact that Pitt does not need a messiah, but rather a person willing to serve in an inclusive fashion while knowing there are thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and community members who are prepared to help sustain Pitt’s national and international reputation.
Jack L. Daniel
Co-founder, Freed Panther Society
Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media
Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black
November 8, 2022