Pitt to Host the Third Annual Summit of the Hesselbein Global Academy For Student Leadership and Civic Engagement, July 23-26

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh is once again opening its campus to students from around the globe who want to learn to be engaged, informed, innovative leaders from world-renowned professional mentors at the third annual Student Leadership Summit of the Pitt Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement, to be held July 23-26 on the University’s Pittsburgh campus.

The by-invitation-only summit—comprising a series of daily workshops—will open at 3:30 p.m. July 23 and conclude at noon July 26 in the William Pitt Union, 3959 Fifth Ave., Oakland. A highlight of the summit is the Hesselbein Lecture at 5 p.m. July 25 in the O’Hara Student Center (formerly the Concordia Club), 4024 O’Hara St., Oakland, featuring retired Brigadier General Belinda H. Pinckney, who served in the U.S. Army for 34 years and is a leading authority on diversity, leadership, and family relations in the military. Pinckney’s lecture, which is free and open to the public, will examine the state of global engagement, leadership, and military service. A reception will follow the lecture at 6:15 p.m. RSVP to program manager Angela Miller McGraw at angelamm@pitt.edu or 412-624-5203.

The Hesselbein Global Academy was created in 2009 to honor the ongoing legacy of Pitt alumnus Frances Hesselbein, recipient of the 1998 Presidential Medal of Freedom and chair of the board of governors of the Leader to Leader Institute (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management). The academy’s mission is to inspire, develop, and reward accomplished student leaders as they meet the challenges of tomorrow.

“Once again we are bringing in an amazing group of student leaders from around the world, as well as some of the finest leaders from the public and private sectors,” said Pitt Vice Provost and Dean of Students Kathy Humphrey. “Many students who participated in the previous two summits have said it was one of the highlights of their collegiate careers because of the people who are involved and the format of the programs.”

The summit provides a forum for student leaders to engage in an elevated level of leadership training by working closely with accomplished professionals during the four-day event.

Nine well-respected professionals will serve as mentors during the Hesselbein Summit, including J. Roger Glunt, president of Glunt Development Co., Inc. and Jayar Construction Co., Inc. Glunt is a former member of the University’s Board of Trustees, a graduate of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, and former president of the Pitt Alumni Association.

Forty-six students from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, Israel, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Singapore, Uganda, and the United Kingdom are scheduled to attend. They will join domestic students from large and small American colleges and universities from 16 different states.

Five Pitt students from Pennsylvania will participate, including Olivia Enders, a junior from Millersburg, Pa., who is majoring in English literature, religious studies, and philosophy; Katherine Malekoff, a senior from Greensboro, N.C., who is majoring in urban studies and sociology; Tara Matthews, a senior from Elkridge, Md., who is majoring in economics and political science with an emphasis in global studies; Matt Riehle, a senior from Mars, Pa., who is majoring in political science, legal studies, and chemistry; and Andrew Taglianetti, a senior from Bridgeville, Pa., who is majoring in business management with a concentration in marketing and finance. 

From 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 25, students, under the direction of their mentors, will apply what they have learned to solve a specific organizational problem at such participating organizations as Collegiate YMCA, Community Human Services, Conservation Consultants Inc., Ladies Hospital Aid Society, Leadership Pittsburgh, Pitt’s Office of Veterans Services, United Cerebral Palsy, and Sustainable Pittsburgh.

“Having been a part of the first two summits, I am excited to return to campus and work with another outstanding group of students and mentors,” said Hesselbein, who will be in attendance at this year’s summit. “One of the incredible things that happened at both summits is the strong bond that has formed between the students, as well as between the students and their mentors.”

Of Pinckney, Hesselbein said, “She is one of the finest leaders I have ever known, and it will be such a privilege for the students attending the summit, as well as the Pitt community, to hear her unique perspectives about what it takes to be an effective leader in our global society.”

Pinckney is founder, president, and chief executive officer at BHP Consulting, LLC, providing strategic direction on military transition planning, financial management, and public-private sector partnerships. The first African American female inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame, Pinckney has been accorded numerous honors, including the Department of Defense Outstanding Diversity Military Service Award, the Defense Superior Service Medal, four Army Commendation medals, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha President’s Award for exemplary service to humankind. 

In addition to her work with the military, Pinckney also advocates for at-risk youth through the Charles Houston Community Center in Alexandria, Va. Pinckney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Maryland, a Master of Public Administration degree in financial management from Golden Gate University, and a Master of Science degree in national resource strategy from the National Defense University.

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