< Previous28 | TALK MAGAZINE • SPRING 2021 COLLEGE NEWS continued from page 6 UNIVERSITIES OF PA These cuts will have to be made before the fall semester of 2022. For staff members, the real impact is jobs. “These faculty lines have to go away before con- solidation actually happens, and so even that part of the plan we’re flummoxed by.” Girton said. Joseph Cronkey, a professor at Clarion Uni- versity, has voiced his concerns over a potential increase in virtual classes, emphasizing the value of in-person learning. “I know the students that I work with didn’t have access to adequate technology, WiFi, com- puters, etc. We want these universities to provide the opportunity for all the people in the common- wealth like it has before, and that’s what we want. We want to support accessible university, college educations that are great for working families across Pennsylvania.” Cronkey said. Professors also referenced the Chancellor’s response to criticism that the commonwealth cannot afford the 14 residential and publicly owned institutions across the state. CARNEGIE MELLON Dr. Allen earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics Education from Lincoln University, a Historically Black College near Philadelphia. She earned a Master of Education in Policy, Planning and Evaluation Studies and a Doctor of Educa- tion in Higher Education Management, both from Pitt. A release from CMU’s College of Engineering said that Dr. Allen will work to “foster an inclu- sive environment and welcoming culture to advance the college and university mission in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.” Dr. Allen will work closely with the college’s department and committee leaders, advancing DEI initiatives and developing “anti-racist practices.” LINCOLN Lincoln University will use the gift to support its comprehensive strategic plan centered around student success. Specifically, Scott's gift will sup- port new investments in teaching, research, and faculty development that will ensure Lincoln University can continue providing a world-class liberal arts education to current and prospective students. It will also strengthen the University's commitment to experiential learning by giving every student the opportunity to participate in at least one high-impact co-curricular activity, such as an internship, study abroad program, or undergraduate research. These opportunities en- hance the depth of learning students experience in the classroom by allowing them to apply that knowledge in real-world, practical settings, and often lead to post-graduate success. How El Merkury came out of the pandemic to... her brand by adding a truly unique deli to the Reading Terminal Market. “Horchata, tortillas, baleadas. People can experience our culture, which is something that I’ve been wanting to do since the beginning,” said Deleon. Some people may not know what baleadas are, but that should not stop them from ordering the Honduran staple. Baleadas were created in the northern part of the Central American country and is composed of a flour tortilla that has been put on a fire grill, filled with mashed fried red beans, thick creamy white cheese, then closed like a taco. Another blessing that Deleon has given Philly is a love for churros. “It was my mom’s idea,” she said. Her space at Reading Terminal will be devoted to churros as well. “They can bring a quart of salsa, refried beans, and chicken, like a deli. It’s all prepared here but they can take it home to feed their children,” she said. Ahead of the new opening, many locals are looking forward to De Leon’s churros, which are full of crunch on the outside, but light and fluffy on the inside. “We are so glad that people love our churros,” she said. One is called, the Mayan chocolate churro, made to order over vanilla soft serve, dark chocolate sauce, chocolate chunks, cocoa powder. Or if you are feeling adventurous, try the Doblada, a Guatemalan version of an empanada — corn flour pocket with your choice of savory filling. Served with salsa, pickled onions, slaw, and cotija cheese. COVID pushed Black unemployment higher in PA technology gaps, said Jones, who saw the equip- ment needs of residents during a computer and appliance repair event he organized in October. The most recent federal unemployment data, released March 25, showed signs of an economy on the mend, as new unemployment claims dropped to their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic. In order to support Black workers and businesses, Hairston said she hoped the U.S. Senate would pass an extension to the PPP loan deadline, which it did after her interview with Keystone Crossroads. She also said funding for the Community Navigator Pilot Program in the most recent stimulus bill would help make sure that Black-owned businesses can connect to available relief funds. Jones said rent and utility relief will be important even as the economy reopens so that workers and businesses do not get slammed with debts accrued during the pandem- ic just as they recover. Moore said he hoped that the conversation about a growing economy would not ignore the fact that there are multiple realities on the ground. “Even if the unemployment rate is falling to 5%,” said Moore, “if for certain groups it’s at 10%, we can’t call that a recovery.” BUSINESS NEWS continued from pages 10 & 11 workforce upon their graduation.” James joined Highmark Health in 2015 as a supplier diversity director. Prior to joining Highmark Health, James served as CEO of a diversity and inclusion consulting firm and in an advisory role with the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. A practicing lawyer for more than 20 years, he spent several years facilitating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) financings nationally for capital projects through a U.S. Department of Education program. Highmark Health is a Pittsburgh-based enterprise that employs more than 35,000 people who serve millions of Americans across the country and is the parent company of Highmark Inc., Allegheny Health Network, and HM Health Solutions. Find more information about Highmark’s diversity and inclusion here: https://bit. ly/3a0Fo5o. Robert James at Highmark Health continued from page 20 gender, religion and free speech as they pertain to the community at Thiel College. Also, as part of the focus on diversity and civility, the College sent a team of faculty repre- sentatives to the 2019 Institute for Diversity, Civility, and the Liberal Arts. The institute focused on establishing plans that will give Thiel College faculty, staff and administrators strategies to improve diversity and civility among members of the College community. The Institute for Diversity, Civility, and the Liberal Arts focused on expanding students’ understandings of social issues that occur on campuses. Based in the Lutheran tradition, Thiel, founded in 19866 as a co-educational insti- tution, has a long history of tolerance and acceptance of students from all backgrounds. In 1910, the historian, civil rights activist and author W.E.B. Du Bois published a survey of American higher education institutions that included Thiel College’s response, “Should any apply for admission they would be welcome,” to the query if the institution would accept black students. 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Allegheny County Department of Equity and Inclusion 204 County Oce Building, 542 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Phone: 412-350-4309 | DEI@alleghenycounty.us Facebook.com/AlleghenyCountyDEI DEPARTMENT OF EQUITY AND INCLUSIONNext >