PITTSBURGH, Pa. [PTTP] — Pitt alumnus Dan’Talisha Deans has returned to the University of Pittsburgh in recent months to take on the role of director of development for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for Pitt’s division of Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement. She is the subject of this week’s Alumni Spotlight.
Deans graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with her Master’s in Social Work in December 2012. After graduating, Deans worked in the University’s Center on Race and Social Problems as a research assistant. She later moved on to become the first project coordinator for the center.
Following her time at Pitt, Deans moved on to become a Presidential Management Fellow in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“I would always tell people, ‘I served the people who served the people.’”
Deans then worked at the Presidential Personnel Office in the White House under the Obama Administration, creating leadership training for the nation’s leaders.
Now, back at the University of Pittsburgh, Dean serves in a first-of-its-kind role as development director for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging department.
“In all that I say, all that I do, I want to leave a positive impact… I think that I’ve truly been able to do that.”
In the future, Deans is looking forward to the work she’ll be able to do in her new role. She hopes to lend support to the University’s efforts in championing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
