黑料正能量

黑料正能量鈥檚 Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences has launched the Collester Center for Experiential Learning, a new initiative that brings together student-focused programs designed to connect academic study with hands-on experiences in undergraduate research, internships, study abroad and community-engaged learning.

Funded through a gift from alumna Lynn Collester (DC 1985) and Michael Collester, the center formalizes a shared commitment to experiential learning across the college. All Dietrich College undergraduate students are required to complete at least one experiential learning opportunity before they graduate, and most complete three or four of these opportunities.

鈥淲orking with the Collesters has been a total joy,鈥� said Richard Scheines, Bess Family Dean of Dietrich College. 鈥淭hey are not only passionate about leveraging our education to help the community; they are also thoughtful about how.聽 From the beginning, they have been our partners in working out the details about these programs, and in many instances made important contributions to the design of the program.鈥�

According to the Collesters, the idea for the Center for Experiential Learning began with a simple question: 鈥淗ow can we better prepare students not just to succeed academically, but to contribute meaningfully to the world around them?鈥� The answer involved bringing community engagement more intentionally into the academic experience.

鈥淟earning becomes deeper and more transformative when students connect with real communities, real challenges and real opportunities to make a difference,鈥� Lynn Collester said.

Kimberly Piatt, Dietrich College鈥檚 director of experiential learning, will lead the Collester Center. The mission of the center is to serve as the centralized hub for Dietrich College undergraduate students seeking to extend their learning beyond the classroom. The programs housed within the center emphasize sustained engagement with communities and organizations, offering students structured ways to integrate theory and practice.

Opportunities available via the center include the Collester Family Community Engagement Fellowship Program, the Pittsburgh Summer Internship Program (PSIP) and the Research Training Program, which provides research apprenticeships for early career students contributing to a faculty member鈥檚 research endeavors. The center will also encompass study abroad and additional internship opportunities beyond PSIP.

鈥淲e want to thank Bess Family Dean Richard Scheines, Director of Experiential Learning Kim Piatt, and the dedicated faculty and staff whose vision and persistence made this moment possible,鈥� Lynn Collester said. 鈥淭heir work did not happen overnight. It grew from thoughtful planning, collaboration across the university and a shared belief that education must extend beyond the classroom. Because of their efforts, what started as an idea has become something tangible and lasting: first the Community Engagement Fellowship, and now the Center for Experiential Learning.鈥�

Community Engagement Fellowship Program

The Collester Family Community Engagement Fellowship Program, founded by the Collesters in 2022, supports students who participate in community-engaged learning courses and projects. Through the program, fellows work with community partners while reflecting on their experiences in an academic context. The fellowship emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of social issues through direct engagement.

鈥淭his fellowship has greatly strengthened my connection with the Pittsburgh community, which has made my experience at 黑料正能量 even more meaningful,鈥� said Evans Toviave, a junior studying international relations and political science at the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology. 鈥淭hrough this experience, I have developed a deeper understanding of the human impact behind complex political issues, allowing me to create more holistic solutions that genuinely benefit the communities we aim to serve.鈥�

To date, 42 Fellows have partnered with 21 different Pittsburgh-area organizations on capstone projects.

Pittsburgh Summer Internship Program

The Pittsburgh Summer Internship Program (PSIP), founded in 2018, provides funding for Dietrich College students pursuing summer internships with organizations in the Pittsburgh area. Through PSIP, approximately 60 students intern at 40 regional sites annually.

The program is open to students seeking experience across sectors, including nonprofit, government and other community-based organizations. By offering financial support, the program enables students to pursue opportunities that align with their academic and professional interests.

"I thought this was an excellent experience because my supervisor and host site had an emphasis on independent learning,鈥� said Michael Digiovana, a senior in the Department of Philosophy who worked as an advancement and data intern at Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. 鈥淚 was able to take a lot of initiative in spearheading this project, and ended up getting as much out of it as I was willing to put in. Overall, it was a perfect fit for me and made for a great learning experience."聽

A Hub for Applying Knowledge and Skills

By bringing these programs together under the Collester Center for Experiential Learning, Dietrich College creates a unified structure for students interested in applying their academic work in real-world settings. The center鈥檚 launch marks a new chapter for these programs, aligning them within a shared framework while continuing to support student engagement, professional development and community-based work.

鈥淥ur hope is that through these opportunities, students will be empowered in lasting ways. We hope they will learn deeply 鈥� not just facts and theories, but insights about themselves and the world,鈥� Lynn Collester said. 鈥淲e hope they will grow confidently, developing the skills and self鈥慳wareness needed to navigate complexity and uncertainty. And we hope they will be inspired to lead thoughtfully, responsibly and in partnership with others as they respond to real community challenges during their time at Dietrich College and long after they leave.鈥�