Jamie Ducar and Khirsten L. Scott received prestigious community engagement awards

Two Pitt leaders received prestigious awards for their community engagement efforts: Jamie Ducar and Khirsten L. Scott. The pair were recognized by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities and the largest national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement.

Jamie Ducar, executive director of the engaged campus in Pitt’s Office of Engagement and Community Affairs, received the Nadinne Cruz Community Engagement Professional Award, which recognizes not just an impact on campus but contributions to the community engagement movement at a broader scale.

Since joining Pitt in 2017, Ducar has contributed to an expansion of innovative and collaborative projects working with community partners. In her current role, she leads efforts to build strong and positive relationships with residents in the surrounding communities.

“Jamie is the most astute, ethical and effective community engagement professional that I have had the privilege to work with,” Vice Chancellor of Engagement and Community Affairs Lina Dostilio said. “Her excellence in administration is only surpassed by her commitment to ethical and just engagement.”

Khirsten L. Scott, an assistant professor in Pitt’s School of Education and director of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project, was selected to receive the Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement. The award highlights exemplary engaged teaching and research.

Scott was recognized for both her own community-driven education work with Black women and girls and for her ardent support of similar efforts across the University.

“It is clear that Dr. Scott is making a significant impact through public service within Pitt and across the region,” said Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher, Renée and Richard Goldman Interim Dean of Pitt’s School of Education. “She is a shining example of our school’s mission to learn with and from communities, to commit to educational equity and to ignite learning and strive for well-being for all.”

Scott and Ducar will be recognized along with other awardees at Campus Contact's annual conference in April. 

— Patrick Monahan, top photo by Aimee Obidzinski