HUD Awards Grant to Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs for Economically Disadvantaged and Minority Students Pursuing Careers in Community Development

PITTSBURGH—The U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) department has awarded $90,000 to the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) for economically disadvantaged and U.S. minority graduate students preparing for careers in community development.

HUD's Community Development Work Study Program will fund three graduate students pursuing the Master of Public Administration degree in GSPIA. The program provides full tuition and fees; funding for books, supplies, and conference travel for four terms; and three paid internships in area public and nonprofit community development organizations.

"This opportunity comes at an urgent time in the city of Pittsburgh, now under Act 47, the Pennsylvania process for distressed cities," according to Sabina Dietrick, associate professor in GSPIA, codirector of the Urban and Regional Analysis Program in the University Center for Social and Urban Research, and codirector of Pitt's Community Outreach Partnership Center. "Although no plan has been passed, preliminary plans suggest that the role and importance of community development will be stressed. We believe our students can contribute and make a difference during this difficult, yet challenging period."

Eligible students must apply to GSPIA by Nov. 1, 2004, for studies beginning in January 2005. Eligibility requirements and an application are available on the Web at www.gspia.pitt.edu or by contacting GSPIA's Office of Student Services at

412-648-7640 or gspia@pitt.edu.

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10/6/04/tmw