The Global Switchboard | Hub | Topics | Cultural Diversity and Exchange

The Immigrants and Internationals Initiative works to further the Allegheny County Department of Human Service’s mission of creating an accessible, culturally competent, integrated and comprehensive human services system for all residents of Allegheny County. It does this by efforts to meet the unique needs of immigrants and internationals living in Allegheny County through a combination […]

Allegheny County Department of Human Services Immigrants and Internationals Initiative

February 20, 2018 7:47 pm Comments Off

Our Advisory Council is the heart of the Immigrants and Internationals Initiative, actively participating with DHS in efforts to create accessible and culturally appropriate human services, and advance access for immigrants in healthcare systems, education, employment, public safety and others. Members include immigrant community leaders, immigrant and refugee serving organizations working collaboratively.

Jennifer Novelli

February 7, 2018 2:39 pm Comments Off

Jennifer is the Development Manager at Global Links, a Pittsburgh based medical relief and development organization, where she leads the fundraising and communication team. Previously, she served as the Executive Director of Building New Hope from January of 2015- 2019. In January 2019, Jennifer returned to Global Links where she had previously worked for ten years. Jennifer also previously worked in the field of international education for over six years at the University of Pittsburgh Study Abroad Office.

Jennifer received her Master of Public and International Affairs in International Development with a focus in environmental sustainability in 2003 from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA).

She also holds a B.A. from Juniata College in Anthropology and International Studies. Jennifer received a Fulbright Scholarship to Germany in 1995/1996; and studied alongside German students at Phillips-Universität Marburg, Germany in 1993/1994 during her junior year.

Latin American Cultural Union

February 1, 2018 10:39 pm Comments Off

Our Mission is to promote, preserve and enrich the Latin American culture, while unifying the Latino community and bridging with other communities within the Greater Pittsburgh Area.

The Latin American Cultural Union (LACU) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating and preserving the culture and Latin American traditions in southwestern Pennsylvania.

LACU is a PLATFORM for Latinos and members to engage in their visibility and promote the Latino cultures in the region.

Come be part of the Latin American family in Pittsburgh while discovering what we have in common!

Our work builds stronger communities by:

Unifying the Latin American community in Southwestern Pennsylvania in a manner that helps its members to preserve and promote their cultural values and Latino identity.
Helping Southwestern Pennsylvania to overcome cultural barriers by improving the communication and understanding between the Latin American community and other communities in the area.

La Roche University Office of International Admissions

January 30, 2018 7:00 pm Comments Off

A private, Catholic, co-educational university north of Pittsburgh founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence, La Roche welcomes students of all religions, ethnic origins and talents.

The international engagement of La Roche University is based on a mission statement that clearly articulates a strong global commitment and dedication to peace and justice. With these values at the core of who we are, we continue to seek and implement new and innovative strategies that are rooted in that mission.

International Admissions

International Outreach

English As A Second Language

Athena Study Abroad

January 24, 2018 2:07 pm Comments Off

Athena Study Abroad puts a personalized and customized focus on study abroad. They are a boutique partner, helping students from the U.S. study abroad. Athena was created to work with and help universities achieve their goals across the spectrum of study abroad – from customized programming to short term offerings to semester and year long personalized immersive programs – they have worked diligently to answer the needs of their partners. With over 50 years experience in international education, their US team (as well as their overseas team) support and guide their partners through all the stages of the process. They know that each university has unique needs and they aim to determine which Athena programs are the best fit for each institution’s student body.

Emily Markham

January 18, 2018 9:40 pm Comments Off

Emily Markham works to facilitate great connections between American and International scholars as the Assistant Director of Global Engagement at La Roche University. She supports key initiatives including International Education Month, the annual Global Problems, Global Solutions Conference, and the Global Development and Humanitarian Aid Training program.

A native of Pittsburgh, Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in global policy studies from Chatham University, and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Prior to joining the La Roche team, Emily worked with the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh supporting the design and implementation of global education programs in the Pittsburgh community and secondary schools in the region.

Robert Michael Bryant

January 16, 2018 1:22 am Comments Off

Robert Bryant makes every attempt to couple his passion for knowledge about the world with a commitment to service in his local community. He currently lives in East Liberty and is pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA). At GSPIA, Robert focuses on human security and Russian studies and he is actively engaged in several school organizations. He takes part in the Leadership Portfolio Program through the Johnson Institute for Responsible Leadership and this opportunity connected him to serve on the board of directors at The Global Switchboard. He has also conducted extensive research on global climate change, its impact on migration, and the potential for climate-induced conflict as a working group participant at the Ford Institute for Human Security. Additionally, Robert is a research assistant for the Leadership During Crisis Podcast, which is a joint-project from the Center for Disaster Management and the Hesselbein Leadership Forum. Outside of GSPIA, Robert serves as a recruiting associate intern with PULSE (Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience).

Originally from the Charlottesville region of Virginia, Robert received a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and French from James Madison University. After his undergraduate studies, Robert taught English for a year in Nantes, France. He then worked as a business analyst in Frederick, Maryland, where he supported procurement professionals at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and volunteered as an ESL instructor for local immigrants.

Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh

December 21, 2017 6:05 pm Comments Off

Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh is a safe harbor that provides specialized care and support for women who have experienced all types of intimate partner violence, from physical to emotional, through our Emergency Shelter, Legal Advocacy, a 24-Hour Hotline (412-687-8005), Support Groups and more. Women’s Center & Shelter has been a trusted and respected resource in the Pittsburgh Community for more than 45 years, offering hope and healing to adult and child survivors who have suffered from the devastating effects of domestic abuse. The WC&S RIL Team specifically serves Refugees, Immigrants, Limited-English Speakers, providing all WC&S services in a culturally informed and humble manner, both on-site and in the community, and offering training, education, and support to professionals working with refugees, immigrants, and limited-English speakers. Whether someone is just discovering they may be in an abusive relationship, or find they need to flee for their life, or are anywhere in between, WC&S can help them on their healing journey.

Library Welcome Center at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

December 20, 2017 7:00 pm Comments Off

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh continues its long tradition of welcoming immigrants, visitors, and newcomers to Pittsburgh. Library staff listen to your needs and connect you to language learning, citizenship resources and more. At the Library, you can make new friends, practice English, borrow books and DVDs, use the internet, start a business, and find a job. Your privacy is important; the Library does not share your borrowing history or personal information with anyone.

Belkys Torres

6:24 pm Comments Off

Belkys Torres is executive director of global engagement at the University of Pittsburgh’s University Center for International Studies. As a leading member of a team that works to achieve the University’s global ambitions, she is a primary liaison for administrators, faculty, and staff on international partnerships, education abroad programs, community engagement, international student services, and global operations support. Her responsibilities include: advancing and assessing global learning; improving processes and procedures related to international partnership agreements; and leading the implementation of key initiatives in Pitt’s strategic and global plans.

Torres co-chaired the Year of Pitt Global committee (AY 2018-2019) and continues to serve Pitt’s Community Engagement Centers Advisory Council and executive board of the Hispanic/Latino Professional Association. She holds a PhD in English with a specialization in Latinx Cultural Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies from the University of Notre Dame and has years of experience coordinating academic initiatives at that institution and directing programs for the University of Miami.

Pitt Study Abroad

December 10, 2017 9:53 pm Comments Off

Founded in 1981, Pitt Study Abroad develops programs and facilitates educational experiences in over 75 countries. Students can study abroad during the summer term, fall semester, spring semester or during a full academic year. With more than 350 programs in 75 countries, Pitt Study Abroad has something for just about everyone.

Laurel S. Murray

9:39 pm Comments Off

Laurel Murray is currently working towards a dual B.S.B.A degrees in Accounting and Finance, along with a minor in Data Analytics. She spent her summer 2017 working as an intern in Berlin, Germany for a start-up business intelligence and acceleration company, and also traveled to various countries during her summer abroad. She is looking forward to studying in London for her Spring 2018 semester, as well as backpacking Southeast Asia upon completion of her semester in London.

Laurel’s passion is economic development and giving back to her community, which she feels accounting and finance will enable her to pursue in her future. Upon graduation in May 2019, she hopes pass her CPA and enter into an economic development project in the Peace Corps and pursue a master’s degree in Urban and Economic Development.

Kelly Mack

9:31 pm Comments Off

Kelly is the Coordinator of International Admissions and Student Services at Saint Francis University. She serves as a DSO for the university and was also a high school guidance counselor in the past. Kelly enjoys working with students from all over the world to help them reach their goals and to teach Americans about the different cultures of the world.

CISV Pittsburgh

9:30 pm Comments Off

CISV educates and inspires action for a more just and peaceful world. CISV’s domestic and international programs for youth ages 11 – 18 develop cross-cultural friendship and instill empathy and leadership skills kids take with them for life.

CISV Pittsburgh was established in 1989, providing more than 750 children the opportunity to attend local, regional and international CISV programs. The Pittsburgh chapter is one of 21 chapters in CISV USA, joining 68 other countries to make up CISV International, founded in Ohio in 1950 as a charitable, independent, non-political, volunteer organization.

Each year, CISV Pittsburgh sends children to programs in countries like Italy, Indonesia, Brazil and Canada as well as U.S cities like Detroit, Denver and Jacksonville. The chapter also hosts international programs in Pittsburgh for kids from around the world to experience the United States first hand. The local Junior Branch youth devote their time and energy in the Pittsburgh community working on issues of human rights, sustainability, diversity and conflict resolution.

“CISV has made me aware of and mindful of the world around me. CISV has given me countless opportunities to change the world, and it continues to do so.” Charlie, age 18

Lois Larson Johnson

9:27 pm Comments Off

Lois Johnson has designed and implemented educational programs for institutions of higher education, designed and developed two private schools, and spearheaded new initiatives for organizations. She is interested in and conducts research in international education and works to improve curriculum strategies for international education and faculty for international programs. Infusing curriculum with globalization and inspiring faculty and students to catch a global vision are her passions.

The Hill District Global Engagement Project

9:21 pm Comments Off

Amizade cultivates globally engaged and civically active youth in and around the Allegheny county area through a neighborhood-wide movement to engage teenagers in international, reflective, and experiential global experiences.

The Hill District Global Engagement Project builds on 4 years of pilot projects, and collaborations with organizational partners at the Hill House Association, the Center that Cares, the Ujamaa Collective, the Hill District Consensus Group, Milliones University Prep High School, and the Hill District Education Council. To date, we’ve hosted over 100 young people from all over the world in the Hill District through service and learning, and we’ve sent over 50 youth from the Hill District to communities in Northern Ireland, Jamaica, and Ghana.

The project is part of Amizade’s Equity in Global Education Coalition.

anupama (anu) jain

9:08 pm Comments Off

anupama (anu) jain, PhD, is Principal Consultant for Inclusant diversity and inclusion consulting and the inaugural Executive Director for the Gender Equity Commission of the City of Pittsburgh. She spent more than a decade in higher education conducting original research, teaching varied topics, and supporting diversity initiatives. More recently, anu has focused on collaborative community organizing and public humanities initiatives in Pittsburgh, partnering with diverse local groups and designing original programming. All her work is informed by a passionate commitment to understanding structural barriers to equity, facilitating community partnerships, encouraging experiential learning, and practicing inclusion as an ongoing ethical project.

Switchboard Stories

9:03 pm Comments Off

The Switchboard Stories project is a series produced by Amizade that profiles members of the Global Switchboard and other organizations and initiatives from across the global engagement landscape.

Daria M. Sullivan

8:45 pm Comments Off

Daria is a proud alumna of the Vira I. Heinz (VIH) Women in Global Leadership Program. As a recipient of the VIH scholarship, she traveled to Ghana, West Africa where she studied performance and the Ghanaian community/culture. To continue her work with VIH, she created a “Community Engagement Experience” with four other VIH awardees called “#StopTheShade: Exploring the Color Bias”. This event provided a platform for attendees to learn and discuss colorism through video clips and roundtable discussion. It was such a huge success, that the VIH organization asked Daria and her team members to recreate it.

Daria is also a professional actor (Actors’ Equity Membership Candidate) with some voice and dance training. During her undergraduate career at the University of Pittsburgh (where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and Communication), she worked on nine diverse shows as a performer, stage manager, playwright, spotlight operator, props shop assistant, and dresser. She also worked on creating a play with a local playwright/actor while studying abroad in Ghana.

Moving forward, she hopes to continue to develop her skills as a performer and to better herself as a global citizen by collaborating on more art projects around the world.

International Week

8:37 pm Comments Off

For one week every year, students at universities and colleges across the United States celebrate and experience the benefits of international education and exchange. The University of Pittsburgh actively participates in this joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education. International Week is hosted by the University Center of International Studies (UCIS), dedicated to initiating, supporting, and coordinating international activities campus-wide.

Each year, the national International Education Week focuses on a theme of critical global importance. In 2017, the theme of International Week was “Displacement.”

Tax Term Archive

​Our work builds stronger communities by:​​​

Our work builds stronger communities by: