From the beginning, Duquesne has always sought to level the playing field by advocating and advancing equity and opportunity. Recently, programs from both the Office of Human Resources, Learning and Development and the Inaugural Chief Diversity Officer were honored with awards from two different professional organizations.

The Minority Professional Development Internship Program received the 2024 Inclusion Cultivates Excellence Award from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR). The honor notes and celebrates institutional initiatives and programs that have made a significant impact with respect to inclusive and equitable workplace practices, particularly those that have brought about cultural change throughout the organization. CUPA-HR, with support from EyeMed, contributed $5,000 to the University in addition to the award.

Three individuals from the minority internship program
From left Mariana Gowdy, intern for the Division of University Advancement; Trent Collins, Senior Employment and Diversity Recruiter, and Manager of the Minority Professional Development Internship Program; and Venetia Khouri, intern for the Center for Excellence in Diversity and Student Inclusion.

Since its creation in 2007, the Minority Professional Development Internship Program has hired 36 interns, many of whom have been promoted to permanent positions at the University, with several others serving in leadership roles at another Pittsburgh-area colleges. The program was also received the CUPA-HR Eastern Region HR Excellence Award in 2019.

In addition, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Certificate Program received a (PHRA) 2024 Engaging Pittsburgh: Innovative People Practices Award in the Learning & Development category from the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association. The category celebrates companies that go above and beyond to invest in their employees through in-house learning, continuing education programs and new innovative learning practices.

Crystal McCormick Ware and Dana Whatley Smith
Crystal McCormick Ware, chief diversity officer, and Dana Whatley Smith, assistant director of learning and development in human resources

Provided in partnership by Inaugural Chief Diversity Office Crystal McCormick Ware and the Office of Human Resources, Learning and Development, the DEI Certificate Program launched in September of 2022. It is designed to reinforce the University’s mission of serving God by serving students so that they, in turn, may serve others. The program brings diversity education Duquesne faculty and staff by encouraging participants to engage in meaningful conversations, foster deeper connections and build relationships that continue to grow far beyond the program’s completion.

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly 8,000 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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June 11, 2024