Pitt Director of Athletics Heather Lyke Unveils Major Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

PITTSBURGH — Reflecting Pitt Athletics' unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion for all, Director of Athletics Heather Lyke announced today four initiatives that provide strength and support for this vital mission.

"Now more than ever, we need to dedicate our collective energies to creating and maintaining a culture of unity, mutual respect and inclusion," Lyke said. "The University of Pittsburgh throughout its history has helped forge a path to important societal change. The initiatives we've unveiled today are a means to focus the strengths and talents of our Pitt people to create a better tomorrow for all.

"Working together, Pitt Athletics can indeed be a catalyst for positive and lasting change on our campus, in our city and for our larger country."

The initiatives are:

Fumi Kimura, a member of Lyke's executive team the past two years, has been appointed to the newly created position of Associate Athletic Director for Culture, Diversity and Engagement. In this capacity, Kimura will be a catalyst for meaningful conversation and educational programming designed to foster and maintain an inclusive culture within Pitt Athletics. She will also be Pitt's liaison for the ACC's Committee for Racial and Social Justice as well as the NCAA's Diversity and Inclusion efforts.

"I'm especially grateful for Fumi Kimura taking on the new and important role of Associate Athletic Director for Culture, Diversity and Engagement," Lyke said. "Fumi has been a major asset as a member of our athletics executive team. She has an outstanding and diverse professional background that will serve all of Pitt Athletics extremely well in this capacity."

"It is extremely humbling to be involved in such important work and I look forward to learning with, and from, my colleagues around the country," Kimura said. "I thank Director of Athletics Heather Lyke for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the needed discussion regarding the importance of inclusion, diversity and equity. In Pitt Athletics' partnership with the NCAA, the ACC and our overall University, my focus will be to listen, ensure that everyone is being heard and be an active participant and advocate for real change in our country."

In alignment with Pitt Athletics' mission of fostering productive dialogue and engagement, Lyke unveiled Panthers United, a diverse 45-member group comprised of student-athletes, coaches, department staff as well as administrators representing the university at large. Led by Penny Semaia, Pitt's Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Life, the group has five stated goals for its diversity and inclusion efforts: support, education and training, communication, promotion and marketing and, ultimately, taking impactful action.

A key initiative of Panthers United is the launch of #UntilWeUnite—a hashtag conceived by women's track and field student-athlete Jaylyn Aminu and the name of the campaign that highlights Pitt's on-going efforts to address racism and social injustice. The campaign's recent projects include the Voting Matters Campaign and Juneteenth Commemoration. Other efforts are focused on student-athlete community service programming within diverse communities and building partnerships with diverse professionals and organizations.

Additionally, the department's vision and values—the "Bridges for Pitt Athletics"—have been enhanced to articulate the Panthers' dedication to diversity and inclusion. The new bridge is titled POWERED BY DIVERSITY and reads "Pitt Athletics is fueled by diversity and united in our commitment to inclusion for all."

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Pitt Director of Athletics Heather Lyke Unveils Major Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

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