Pitt Athletics Unveils Panthers United Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan
9/21/2022 9:00:00 AM | General
PITTSBURGH -- Panthers United, Pitt Athletics' Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee, has unveiled a five-year strategic plan aimed at fostering an inclusive environment for its student-athletes, coaches and staff.
The strategic plan includes five areas of focus: recruitment and hiring; retention, development and success; a culture of belonging; positively impacting the community; and raising awareness and celebrating Pitt Athletics' EDI efforts.
"Creating community and strengthening Pitt Athletics is important to ensuring that our student-athletes enjoy and get the most out of their college experience," said Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. "I appreciate the quality of work the staff, coaches and student-athletes have done and continue to do to create an environment of dialogue, openness and most importantly, respect."
"Developing a strategic plan is a long process that includes many stakeholders, and it is with tremendous appreciation that we acknowledge and thank the staff members, student-athletes, coaches and University partners for contributing their ideas, knowledge and time," said Fumi Kimura, Associate Athletic Director of Culture, Diversity and Engagement. "I would also like to thank Wendy Meyers, Executive Associate Athletics Director for Human Resources and Penny Semaia, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Life, who were involved every step of the way and brought their unwavering passion and energy to the work. We are excited to move forward and implement the initiatives. However, we recognize the need to continually educate ourselves about what the Pitt Athletics community needs to thrive, and that work is on-going."
Panthers United is an open committee comprised of staff members, coaches and student-athletes and includes Forever Panthers as well as University partners. Panthers United's stated purpose is to "unite the Pitt Athletics community and build a culture of inclusive excellence".
Additional information on Pitt's on-going EDI efforts is available HERE.
The strategic plan includes five areas of focus: recruitment and hiring; retention, development and success; a culture of belonging; positively impacting the community; and raising awareness and celebrating Pitt Athletics' EDI efforts.
"Creating community and strengthening Pitt Athletics is important to ensuring that our student-athletes enjoy and get the most out of their college experience," said Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. "I appreciate the quality of work the staff, coaches and student-athletes have done and continue to do to create an environment of dialogue, openness and most importantly, respect."
"Developing a strategic plan is a long process that includes many stakeholders, and it is with tremendous appreciation that we acknowledge and thank the staff members, student-athletes, coaches and University partners for contributing their ideas, knowledge and time," said Fumi Kimura, Associate Athletic Director of Culture, Diversity and Engagement. "I would also like to thank Wendy Meyers, Executive Associate Athletics Director for Human Resources and Penny Semaia, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Life, who were involved every step of the way and brought their unwavering passion and energy to the work. We are excited to move forward and implement the initiatives. However, we recognize the need to continually educate ourselves about what the Pitt Athletics community needs to thrive, and that work is on-going."
Panthers United is an open committee comprised of staff members, coaches and student-athletes and includes Forever Panthers as well as University partners. Panthers United's stated purpose is to "unite the Pitt Athletics community and build a culture of inclusive excellence".
Additional information on Pitt's on-going EDI efforts is available HERE.
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