ideapodSPRING 2010 THE P ITTSBURGH PROMISE ’S

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OUR MOTTO AT THE PITTSBURGHPROMISE IS “DREAM BIG, WORK HARD”by Saleem Ghubril

THINK OF A “DREAM” as your desired destination, the place where you hope to go.Whether you’re driving, flying, walking, or riding a horse, you need to know where you wantto go before you start your trip.

The “work” part is the effort, time, cost, energy, and sacrifice you’re willing to commitin order to reach your destination, your dream.

A dream without work leads to disappointment. Work without a dream leads to exhaustion.A dream plus the needed work is the surest way to get the results that are important to you.

Now you need something to connect your work with your dream, a road map of sortsthat tells you what tools you need, what direction to go, how much time it takes, who tobring along, how much money it costs, and other such things. Let’s call that “education.”

I have had the amazing privilege of talking to every high school student in Pittsburghover the last two years. I wish I had the gift of hearing from all of them, but I have heardfrom a few. Many of their stories absolutely thrillme. Some of them inspire me to dream biggerand work harder. A few of them break my heart.The ones that are heartbreaking are those wherethe students’ dreams and their actions are discon-nected from one another, but where the studentdoes not see the disconnection. An example is thestudent who wants to become a pediatrician butwho is failing his first period science classbecause he sleeps through it often. He is way tootired to be alert in the morning because he playsvideo games into the late hours of the night. Thisis an example of a dream that lacks the properconnection to the work that is needed.

The Pittsburgh Promise cannot give you your dream. Neither can we do the work for you.The dream and the work have to be yours. You’ve got to own them. What we can give you is an opportunity to focus your dream and empower your work. We can help you learn about what your dream requires, and develop the skills needed to make it happen.

We will give college scholarships of up to $40,000 to every student who attends and graduates from Pittsburgh Public Schools and lives in the City of Pittsburgh for at least the four years of high school. In addition, all you have to do is graduate with a 2.5 GPA and 90% attendance. These are the minimum ways that we can tell that your work and your dream are connected meaningfully to one another.

I hope you’ll make us pay.

iPod©, noun [ ī päd ] “internet” “pod” (portable open database).

At The Pittsburgh Promise, we’re offering up our own “i”Pod—the idea pod—a place where ideas can grow by providing students access to information and exposure to all of the opportunities available through

Saleem GhubrilExecutive DirectorThe Pittsburgh Promise

Franco Harris, ChairmanNFL Hall of FameOwner, Super Bakery, Inc.

Candi Castleberry-SingletonChief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, UPMC

Mark LaskowManaging Director and CEO,Greycourt & Co.

Pamela Little-PooleDirector of Parent Education Beginning With Books

Marty McGuinnChairman and CEO (Retired)Mellon Financial Corporation

Luke RavenstahlMayor, City of Pittsburgh

Mark RooseveltSuperintendent, Pittsburgh Public Schools

THE PITTSBURGH PROMISEBOARD OF DIRECTORS

2 At Your Service4 Citified 6 Ask the President10 Careers of the Future 14 Your Extraordinary Opportunity to Shape the World16 If You Don’t Have It, You Ain’t Got It18 Ask the Collegiate20 Pittsburgh: The Place Where Our Nation Can

Restore Its Faith in Public Education 24 Conflict Resolution28 Inside PPS: Pittsburgh Langley High School29 Inside PPS: Pittsburgh Carrick High School31 Inside PPS: Pittsburgh Schenley High School

Edith Shapira, MDPsychiatrist, Private Practice

Kiya TomlinParent Volunteer, Pittsburgh Public Schools

Olga Welch, EdD Dean, School of Education Duquesne University

Demetri ZervoudisSenior Vice President, Bayer Material Science

Grant Oliphant, Ex-OfficioPresident and CEO,The Pittsburgh Foundation

Saleem GhubrilExecutive Director The Pittsburgh Promise

.

The Pittsburgh Promise is a501(c)(3) nonprofit corporationand is an affiliate of ThePittsburgh Foundation.

topics

The Pittsburgh Promise is a partnership between Pittsburgh Public Schools, the City of Pittsburgh, UPMC (University ofPittsburgh Medical Center), and other key funders.

“What do I needto do to be eligible for a scholarshipfrom The PittsburghPromise?”Find out atwww.pittsburghpromise.org/guidelines.html

DESIGN:Wolfe Design, Ltd.

PHOTOGRAPHY:Josh Franzos

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Join the individuals, foundations, and businesses who have given their support to The Pittsburgh

Promise as we work to meet our ambitious June 30, 2010 goal. UPMC will give $1.00 for every

$1.50 that is contributed to The Pittsburgh Promise Fund. To make a donation, please visit our

website www.pittsburghpromise.org.

FROM MAY 17 THROUGH MAY 28 YOUR GIFT GOES EVEN FURTHERTHROUGH THE PITTSBURGH FOUNDATION’S SCHOOL SPIRIT SLAM!Mark your calendars and go on line to Pittsburgh Gives, www.pittsburghgives.org to supportThe Pittsburgh Promise! We want you to show your school spirit. Make your donation in honor of your favorite college, university, or trade school. This could be your alma mater, your future school, or just your favorite collegiate team. Enter the school name under special instructions when you

make a donation and we will track that donation on our Slam Leader Board. Make sure to claim

bragging rights for your favorite school and recruit others to do the same. You can review the leaders

updated every day at The Promise website—www.pittsburghpromise.org. Don’t forget to check the

site on June 1, when we will pay special tribute to the winning school.

SUPPORTTHE PROMISEIf you give $50 dollars to support the Promise,

UPMC will give $33 for a total donation of ......$83 dollars.If you give $150 dollars to support the Promise,

UPMC will give $100 for a total donation of ...$250 dollars.If you give just $15 dollars to support the Promise,

UPMC will give $10 for a total donation of...........$25 dollars.

THE MORE YOU GIVE, THE MORE WE GET.

PLEASE

at your se2 spring 2010

AS YOU EMBARK ON THE NEXT STEP of your collegejourney a new team of experts will be at your service!

In addition to professors, colleges and universitiesemploy many other professionals to help you succeed andearn a degree. As a student you will rely on these serviceproviders to help you with many aspects of college life.

During the college decision process and the time upuntil you actually start classes you interact with folks fromthe Admissions Department. No doubt the AdmissionsStaff has been friendly and in constant contact to makesure your college decision is a good one for you. Anotherfunction of the Admissions Department is to assist youwith the many tasks related to enrollment at the college.Don’t be worried if the details related to applying andenrolling are overwhelming. Everyone is overwhelmedwith the Admissions process—especially if you are thefirst person in your family to go to college. The AdmissionsStaff is trained to know the answers that High School

students usually ask. Another part of their job is to makeyou feel comfortable about your transition from high schoolto college.

Your experience with the Admissions Department isthe first of many other services that you encounter as acollege student. Once you arrive and start classes, youwill be introduced to another group of professionals andservice departments.

About 70 percent of college students rely on some sortof financial aid to pay for tuition and expenses. If this isyou, then you will have the pleasure of working with theFinancial Aid staff. Whether you receive grants, scholar-ships, work study or student loans, you will be asked tostop by the Financial Aid office and sign forms at varioustimes during the academic year. You may be able toaccomplish these responsibilities online with an elec-tronic signature. In either case, it is in your best interestto get familiar with the Financial Aid staff.

Congratulations on your acceptance to college! You have made great accom-plishments to get to this point. Yes, you have done most of the work, but did younotice that a team of people helped you? Your teachers, counselors, family andfriends answered questions, filled out forms and provided encouragement.

Money may be available if youknow where to look! You neverknow. It is important to rememberthat changes occur with finan-cial aid — every year.

4

Pittsburgh Langley High School

rvice idea pod 3

Money may be available if you know where to look!You never know. It is important to remember that changesoccur with financial aid—every year.

The Registrar Office is where class schedules are created. The Registrar has records of all of the classesbeing offered, the descriptions, the Professor, the requiredbooks and location and time of where and when the classis occurring. Most of this is handled online these days,but the Registrar has an office on campus with a staff tohelp you.

Another function of the Registrar is to organize andmaintain your academic record—like proof of you com-pleting the course for credit and the grade that youearned. The Registrar keeps a tally of your credits andGPA (grade point average) and manages your transcript.Your transcript is used to prove that you are a currentstudent and, eventually, that you completed the require-ments for graduation.

Once you register for classes each semester, theRegistrar communicates the information to the StudentAccounts Office. (Sometimes called the Bursar’s Office)In Student Accounts, your tuition and fees are tallied anda bill is created. The fine folks in this office also communi-cate with the Financial Aid Office to obtain your personalfinancial aid package. Your financial aid is applied to your

bill and your “Balance Due” is calculated. Your parents andyou will receive this information prior to every semester.

If you live on campus there are additional fees for yourdorm room and your meal plan. The Student HousingOffice manages this information and sends it to theStudent Accounts Office so that the expenses are includedon your bill.

The Student Housing Office has yet another staff ofexperts who are at your service! Think of them as yourlandlord. Any concerns about your roommates or accom-modations can be brought to their attention.

What about all of the other aspects of being a collegestudent like College Sports, Intramural Sports, The StudentActivities Center, Greek Life, Computer Services, ReligiousGroups, Health Center, Campus Dining, Campus Safety,Volunteering, and the Library? Ask and you will find a ded-icated office for every service and activity on campus.

by Janet Sieff

4

Welcome to your new support team!Everyone employed on your campushas a goal to help you succeed.

Janet SieffBusiness DevelopmentPaskill Stapleton & Lord

4 spring 2010

by Kiya Tomlin

“WE WENT ON A METHODICAL QUEST, SCOURING ALL OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, EXPLORING EACH AREA WITH ANOPEN MIND AND EQUAL CONSIDERATION ONLY TO COMETO THE REALIZATION THAT “ACCESS,” NOT “EXCESS,” ISTHE KEY TO LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM.”—Kiya Tomlin

Citified

Photo: Mia Winston at Mia PINK Photography

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The city is our playground. A sprawling back yardis much too small compared to Pittsburgh’s award-winning park system. Our backyard includes morethan 1,700 acres of open space, wooded trails, play-grounds and beautifully restored historic landmarks.We are nestled between Schenley Park’s Oval, skat-ing rink and swimming pool, Frick Park’s ball fieldsand Environmental Center, Mellon Park’s tennis bub-ble and Sunday morning Brunches with Beethoven,and Highland Park’s free summer tennis lessons. Inaddition, the parks are home to numerous otherstructured recreational activities and free culturalevents. An extensive biking system makes exploringthe city’s beautiful hills, rivers and bridges safe andconvenient. Quick access to Heinz Field, Mellon Arena,PNC Park, Peterson Center, night clubs, the Byhamand a multitude of other theaters and concert hallsprovide unlimited options for entertainment for a spe-cial night or any other night.

The city is our school without walls. Pittsburgh ishost to numerous institutions of higher learning, pro-ducing an atmosphere of youth and energy, creativityand innovation. Our children learn beyond theirschool walls through the ever-changing lectures andexhibits at Carnegie Mellon, PITT and several otheruniversities. The world renowned Carnegie ScienceCenter, Art and Natural History Museums, as well asthe Carnegie Library and the state of the art AugustWilson Cultural Center are unmatched sources forextra-curricular and enrichment activities that expandour knowledge, enrich our experiences and inspireour reach.

Like everyone else we were looking to the suburbs to get more for our money, bigger house, more yard, more… I have to admit, having spent my entire childhoodand much of my adult life surrounded by the peaceful bubble of the suburbs, I wasconvinced that life in an all-inclusive subdivision was the American Dream. So natu-rally I was apprehensive of shedding my vision of a suburban utopia when my husbandfirst introduced me to the idea of buying a home in the city. But with the hopes of beinghere for a while, we wanted to be sure to leave no stone unturned in finding our finalresting place. We went on a methodical quest, scouring all of Allegheny County,exploring each area with an open mind and equal consideration only to come to therealization that “access,” not “excess,” is the key to living the American Dream.

The city is our community. To an outsider, city lifemay appear to move at a stressful pace, but there is asimplicity that comes with living, working and sendingyour kids to school in one locale. We live in a pedes-trian community where anything we need is withinclose walking distance, from the locally grown farmers’market to the trendy rooftop sushi restaurant. The revi-talization of historic neighborhoods demonstrates the importance of maintaining Pittsburgh’s culture ofdistinction.

As a product of public education, we believe in theimportance of the public school experience. Wehave three children. Urban public school submergesour kids in real world diversity. Attending school withour neighbors allows them to interact with a mixtureof ethnically, religiously, socio-economically or aca-demically different individuals. For us, this is an invalu-able experience because it fosters a worldliness vital inbreaking down barriers and succeeding in our increas-ingly diverse world. We are not interested in a manu-factured environment where our children ARE thediversity, but a place where they can find similaritiesand differences in people both like and unlike them.This exposure is key in raising our kids to be grounded,well-rounded and compassionate individuals.

City living speaks to our hearts because it giveseach family member the best opportunity to growand develop into a well-rounded individual. Accessto a multitude of experiences in our daily life allows usto immerse our family in all that is Pittsburgh. Weknow that the hustle and bustle of city living will giveour kids the confidence to navigate anywhere in theworld and the knowledge that life’s options are limit-less. The Tomlins are officially citified.

...

Kiya TomlinBoard Member, The Pittsburgh PromiseParent Volunteer, Pittsburgh Public Schools

DR. ALEX JOHNSONCOMMUNITY COLLEGE OFALLEGHENY COUNTYI have had the privilege of seeing the power of The Pittsburgh Promisefirst-hand in CCAC alumna MollySchwartz. Molly graduated from CCACin December as our first graduatethrough The Pittsburgh Promise schol-arship program. She had enrolled inCCAC courses during her senior yearat Brashear High School, and she plans to transfer to theUniversity of Pittsburgh this fall.Inspired by her younger brother’s diagnosis with diabetes,

Molly’s ultimate goal is to earn her PhD in biology and engagein stem cell research. She knows what it is to work hard towardher dreams, holding down a nearly full-time job while attendingschool. She has become the first in her family to earn a collegedegree. Molly’s determination and achievements thus far on herjourney are an inspiration to me. I am honored that she haschosen CCAC as her first step toward her goals.

ask thepresident

DR. MARY E. HINESCARLOW UNIVERSITYAmong our many Pittsburgh Promisestudents, one stands out as an exam-ple of determination and consequentsuccess. At age 16, Latoya Steadmanentered the foster care system. Sheturned that experience into an oppor-tunity. As one of Carlow’s PittsburghPromise students, Latoya is a sopho-more majoring in Elementary andSpecial Education, a major she chose because of interactions withfamily members who were dealing with learning challenges andher desire to do what she could to support them. Althoughsome students let the inconsistencies of the foster care systemtake them off track in pursuing their goals, Latoya has managedto weave together a strong base of support as a student atPeabody High School, as a member the mentoring group WISE,and at Carlow. She has endeared herself to faculty, staff, andher fellow students and was recently selected to represent theSchool of Education in the Student Senate. Her hard work anddetermination will be the foundation for her success at CarlowUniversity—and beyond its 15 acres. Latoya has been chosento represent Allegheny County in Portland, Oregon for a nationalreview of the foster care system and child services by the chil-dren it serves. I am sure that this opportunity is only the first ofmany such important recognitions and appointments. It hasbeen a pleasure to watch her progress as she builds valuablerelationships with members of the Carlow Community.

We asked six Presidents of Promise-eligible schools this question, “TELL US THE STORY OF ONE OFYOUR ALUMS, WHO IS ALSO A GRADUATE OFPITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS, OF WHOM YOU ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD.”

6 spring 2010

MR. GREGORY DEFEOPITTSBURGH TECHNICALINSTITUTESuccess comes in many shapes andsizes. For some it is a large paycheck.For others, it’s celebrity, awards, andhonors. At PTI Pittsburgh Public Schoolgraduates acquire skills, grow profes-sionally, and secure a job they willlove. The examples are as diverse asthe graduates themselves.

Rome Pollice, Langley High School, accompanied his sisteron a PTI campus visit. She didn’t enroll; he did. Rome earnedhis Information Technology degree, works for NetXperts, pro-vides network solutions for the Pittsburgh Penguins and says,“Some people call me their hero.”

Seth Philips, Westinghouse High School, also a PTI IT grad,is a computer consultant at iServe Technologies. He sets upwireless networks, air cards, email accounts, and websites—and is pursuing his bachelor’s degree.

For Laurie Zumbo Tudor, Brashear High School, success isfound in the classroom. She turned her creativity into a GraphicDesign degree, worked for a group of attorneys, and returned toPTI first as a lab assistant, then a faculty member. As a studentshe excelled; now she helps others do the same.

Laurie relates to her students and tells me “I’ve connectedwhen I know what they are going to say before they say it. I love the opportunity to help students learn more about a field I love.”

Turning passions into skills, hobbies into responsibilities,and what we like to do into a job we love to do, that’s successI am proud of.

DR. KENNETH A. SMITHGENEVA COLLEGEI am proud to tell you about Mr.Carvis Fisher, a Geneva alumnuswho has a passion for educationand for kids in the city of Pittsburgh. Carvis came to Geneva after gradu-

ating from Pittsburgh’s WestinghouseHigh School in 1971. He has alwayshad a passion for music, and as soonas he got here, he enrolled in Geneva’smusic education program. He also has an excellent voice andtoured the continental U.S. with the Genevans choir. But notonly did Geneva give Carvis the opportunity to grow musicallyand professionally, it also encouraged him to grow in his faith.

Carvis graduated from Geneva in 1975 and has beenteaching in the Pittsburgh Public Schools for 22 years. He iscurrently teaching Pre-K to fifth grade music at ArsenalElementary School in Lawrenceville. Many of the kids are musi-cally gifted but face financial obstacles, and Carvis is commit-ted to developing their potential and encouraging them to reachtheir dreams.

“It’s a rich and rewarding experience, and I have no doubtthat this is what I was supposed to do,” he says.

Carvis found his calling at Geneva College, and we areproud to call him one of our alumni. God has a unique purposefor your life as well, and Geneva can help you find it.

DR. JOSEPH GRUNENWALDCLARION UNIVERSITYAt Clarion University, we expectexcellence and personal integritywhile providing the tools and sup-port to help students reach theirgoals. Larry Pickett, a 1973 graduateof Westinghouse High School and a1977 Clarion University grad, bringsthat same commitment to highstandards to his professional andpersonal life.

Larry is Senior Project Manager for Emerging Alliances andShared Business Services at Highmark, Inc., in Pittsburgh. He’salso a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. No, he’s not an expert inmartial arts. In business and industry, the Six Sigma Black Beltis awarded to leaders who are experts in process improvementsthat enhance customer service, reduce operating costs, and suc-cessfully drive results for their organizations.

Larry is also a leader in his community. He serves as a men-tor for the Katz Graduate School of Business Institute forEntrepreneurial Excellence, member of the Smart Futures Boardof Directors, and a volunteer for the Boy Scouts. As a memberof the Clarion University Council of Trustees, which overseesand supports university strategic planning, Larry gives back tohis alma mater while helping to chart its course for the future.He makes us all Clarion Proud.

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MR. DENNIS WILKEROSEDALE TECHNICALINSTITUTEWhat does it take to overcome obsta-cles during challenging times and stayfocused on your education goal?

A recent Rosedale TechnicalInstitute graduate, Tom Wolfe, hadevery challenge thrown at him last year.Tom graduated in 2008 from BrashearHigh School and with the help of a Pittsburgh Promise Scholarship,began his training at Rosedale Tech as an auto mechanic.

Growing up in a single family home, Tom lived with hismother, grandfather and 2 brothers. While attending Rosedale,Tom maintained a 3.0 average, and worked part time to helphis family. Tom’s mother, Kim, was in the care of hospice, andhis grandfather was being treated for cancer. His two youngerbrothers were depending on him.

Tom will never forget March 27 and 28, 2009. Within 24hours, Tom’s mother lost her courageous battle to cancer; hismaternal grandfather, with whom he resided, also died; and hispaternal grandfather suffered a fatal heart attack.

A 19 year old young man was facing challenges manyadults will never face. Yet, the thought of quitting school neverentered his mind.

Why? Rosedale Technical Institute had become his family.One of Tom’s instructors and mentors, Paul Danner, encour-aged him to stay strong. And, Tom’s faith helped him endure.

Today Tom is an auto technician at Wright Automotive inWexford. He’s in the real world now, doing what he loves andmaking a living.

Tom’s advice: “Not everyone is meant for college; if you likecars and like to work with your hands, try Rosedale TechnicalInstitute. RTI was more than just a school. It was a new begin-ning for me. If I didn’t have Rosedale Tech to push me thru thehard times, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Computer Aided DraftingMedical/Surgical TechnologyElectronics MultimediaIT/Computers Graphic Design

Female Futures in Technology a FREE, one-day, hands-on workshop for females grades 9-12.

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Schools of:Visit our North Fayette Campus, just off the Parkway West.P I T T S B U R G H T E C H N I C A L I N S T I T U T E

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800-672-7171 (Selection 1)

Faculty members at Clarion are here for two reasons:

One, because they’ve distinguished themselves academically;

And two, because they love to teach.

They live for the moments when students come to their offices and say, “Thanks. I get it now.”

Apply online atwww.clarion.edu

Over 90 majors and certifications to choose from. Recognized by the leading national professional organizations for academic programs that meet and surpass their standards, Clarion University combines the best of the college experience... small, friendly campus, personal attention and top quality academic preparation.

TOGETHER WE CAN...

BUSINESS

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idea pod 9

Careers

10 spring 2010

Pittsburgh Langley High School

OBS COME AND GO, but your career will last a lifetime. Instead ofspending decades with one employer, today’s high school graduate canexpect to change jobs five or six times. But what will the careers of thefuture be?

The fields with the greatest demand for new workers haven’tchanged a lot in recent years. Accounting, engineering, informationtechnology, health care and education still offer the best opportunitiesfor employment, both nationally and locally. But within those fields,the types of job skills required will continue to change. That’s why

preparation is important. Local experts say that some kind of post-secondaryeducation will be necessary for half of our region’s fastest-growing jobs.

“In the future we’ll see very familiar careers, but retooled people,” says JudySavolskis, interim vice president for work force development at CommunityCollege of Allegheny County. She and other experts see several trends that willaffect the workers of tomorrow: the move to digital information, the green revo-lution, and advances in manufacturing. Those will create high-tech, high-wagejobs around the world.

Today’s students already know they’ll need computer skills wherever they go. Take health care: today, registered nurses need to be as familiar with using

software as in caring for patients. And it’s not just nurses. Savolskis says a hospital’s “whole workforce” will be expected to understand electronic record-keeping. That includes pharmacists who fill prescriptions, doctors who enterinformation into hand-held computers while at bedsides, and radiology techni-cians who perform tests. IT skills are also applied in the growing field of exercisescience, which includes physical and occupational therapists and fitness trainers,and in jobs that didn’t exist a generation ago, like nuclear medical techniciansand physician assistants.

Digital information technology will also become a basic skill in the financialworld. As government regulations demand more accountability from businesses,electronic reporting needs will expand. Bookkeepers, accountants and auditors—some of the most in-demand local positions—will organize and analyze moredata than ever before. And as businesses and individuals store records and shifttheir transactions online, a new specialty has emerged: information assurance,which protects Internet data. Wireless technology is driving demand for smartphone applications, which will expand computer programming, already a wide-open field, in new directions.

Energy workers—those who produce it and those who conserve it—are partof the green jobs revolution. The state of Pennsylvania recently predicted that115,000 jobs will be created in these positions by 2012, across dozens of industries: in wind and solar energy, manufacturing, chemistry, agriculture, andtransportation, as well as pollution prevention, environmental cleanup, and agricultural and resource conservation.

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by Christine O’Toole

FutureOF THE

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12 spring 2010

The search for alternative energy will enlist many ofthese jobs. As countries around the world build new nuclearpower plants, engineers with this credential will be in glob-al demand. Geothermal technicians will control plants thatharvest heat from deep in the earth. At the same time, com-panies and consumers worldwide are looking for ways tocut consumption. That’s fuelling openings for energy engi-neers who measure buildings’ energy consumption, andcertified weatherization workers who prevent energy leaks.It also creates opportunities for those skilled in green con-struction techniques and in new technologies like the solarcells that convert light into electricity.

The discovery of huge deposits of natural gas through-out western Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale has createdjobs for geologists, drillers, and other technicians.

Because natural gas is found so deep in the earth, mostof the Marcellus Shale drills are operated remotely. That

means that energy companies will rely on another emerging technology: robotics. This new field, already being establishedin Pittsburgh, will welcome technicians and engineers whounderstand how robots work.

“Human-robot interfaces is a real emerging field,” saysTony Rodi director of the National Center for RoboticsEngineering Technology Education at California University ofPennsylvania. “The Marcellus Shale employs a lot of roboticsystems, because work is done underground, and [compa-nies] must monitor the drilling. Nuclear energy uses a lot ofrobotics systems, too, because of the hazardous environ-ment.” Robots vary widely in their size and applications.Agile robotics deals with small, mobile robots. The automo-tive industry, along with packing and bottling plants, useslarge robots on assembly lines. Those complex systemsrequire designers and technicians to operate effectively.

Clockwise from top: Pittsburgh Langley, Pittsburgh Schenley, and Pittsburgh Carrick High Schools.

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“You don’t see a lot of help-wanted ads for robotic tech-nicians—yet,” says Tony Rodi. “But you can develop the skillset that robotics workers need—learning electronics, com-puter programming skills, and mechanical skills.”

Researchers at local universities have made dramaticadvances in two emerging fields likely to create new busi-nesses and new jobs. Biotechnology, combing biology,genetics, medicine and other life sciences, is creating newtherapies and devices to cure disease and regenerate livingtissue. Nanotechnology creates machines and materials at themolecular level, with properties that are revolutionizing man-ufacturing. Both fields offer challenges to highly-motivated,highly-educated young professionals.

The discoveries of today become the businesses of tomor-row. New young companies will need flexible employees whocan contribute a variety of skills.“Technology is going to

change all professions,” says Kelleigh Boland, who research-es trends for the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board.“But teamwork, critical thinking, and lifelong learning will beimportant skills, too.”

Christine O’TooleFreelance Writer

Pittsburgh Langley High School

shape

Mark RooseveltSuperintendentPittsburgh Public Schools

14 spring 2010

In Pittsburgh, we dream big,work hard, and know exactlywhat we must accomplish in our schools.

ON NOVEMBER 18, 2009, after a process that lastedmore than a year, the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS)learned that its vision for empowering effective teachers—and the plan that will drive the efforts to achieve it—was one of only four in the country to be selected forfunding by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Theplan was developed collaboratively with the PittsburghFederation of Teachers. We became winners by demon-strating our ability to dream big, work hard, and tackletough challenges as a team.

Now, we have $40 million dollars in a grant from theworld’s largest foundation to help us implement themost critical of effective teaching strategies and supportyou to graduate from high school college-ready. Teacherswill be empowered to do whatever it takes to foster aculture of striving, resilience, and college-readiness tohelp you prepare for life beyond high school.

Another way we encourage big dreams is through ThePittsburgh Promise, which provides up to $40,000 in

Your extraordinary opportunity to

by Mark Roosevelt

the worldscholarship money to eligible PPS students. Being Promise-Ready means more than just learning English, math, science, and social studies. It means more than just havinga 2.5 grade point average and 90% attendance. Promise-Ready means having dreams and aspirations for your futureand the behaviors and habits to be successful in college,trade school, and the workplace.

What are your interests? What are your dreams?From the time you started kindergarten, to the time yougraduate high school, the world will change dramatically.In the past few years alone, we’ve seen the advent of newtechnologies that have become part of our daily lives. FromFacebook and YouTube, to ringtones and iPhones, we com-municate in new ways every day. Many of these technolo-gies, including Facebook, were dreamed by students whilethey were in high school, college, or trade school.

As a nation, we face challenges including accessiblehealth care, clean and sustainable energy, and the needto stay competitive in the global economy.

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What role will you play?Whatever your interest, whatever your dream, myadvice to you is to “Go for it!” You don’t have to waituntil later in life to pursue your dreams. As students inmiddle school and high school, put your dreams intopractice daily. Through class participation, homework,and projects, exercise your leadership abilities anddemonstrate a work ethic that shows you’re serious.

You are the leaders of tomorrow and your ideas andhard work will shape the world. The success ofPittsburgh and our county will ultimately be realized byyour success.

Pittsburgh Carrick High School

It was my freshman year of college. First trip to the bookstore. Apart from the excitement of everything brandnew, I most remember how the bag that thecashier gave me contained a collection of creditcard brochures. By the time I left the studentcenter, a guy with a round face and big voiceoffered me a slick thermos to sign up for my firstVisa. Took less than five minutes.

What that gentleman didn’t tell me—what my par-ents didn’t think to put up there with the birds and thebees—was how much that card would affect my adultlife. No one told me the first few secrets to being a consumerin today’s world of fancy doodads and easy plastic:

If you don't have it, you ain’t got it: The best way touse a credit card, if at all, is as a substitute for “real”money (i.e. cash in your pocket or bank account). Toooften, I used mine when I didn’t really have the money—the fellas were starting a Madden tournament in the dormand we surely needed a proper TV set. Here’s the thing—you should know how you’re going to pay within nomore than 30 days before you swipe the plastic.Because...

Credit Cards aren’t free. In fact, they’re pretty expen-sive: Take that TV of mine. $300—shiny and new. I madethe $10 minimum payment requested in my monthlycredit card bill. Simple as that. But it would take me untilafter graduation to really pay for that one purchase. Bythen, I had spent over $400 on that TV, which had beenleft behind with my college days. You see—a credit cardcomes with an APR (annual percentage rate), which is aconfusing way of saying that you have to pay it back withinterest. I didn’t care at the time, but as it turns out...

Credit cards affect credit score. And your creditscore matters: Who knew that I was being graded foreverything I did with my credit card? Not paying it offeach month—oh, that gave me a B credit score. Not pay-ing on time—slipping down to a C, a D, an F! Meanwhile,the places where I applied for jobs were checking my creditscore to check me out. Years later, when my wife and Ibought our house, our credit scores were the first thing wehad to bring to the table.

If I could do it over again, I’d ask that guy with theround face—why do I need this credit card? I suspecthe’d tell me because every grown-up has one. Maybehe’d say that it’s good to have the plastic in case youneed something you can’t afford.

I’d say to him, in a voice as big as his—if I don’thave it, I don’t need it. Then, I’d buy my own thermos—with cash!

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16 spring 2010

Felix Brandon LloydVice President & General Manager of MoneyIsland by BancVue

IF YOU DON’THAVE IT,

by Felix Lloyd

YOUAIN’TGOT IT.

idea pod 17

So, you want to know the BIG secret to success in college andmaybe even life? I will tell you only if you promise to tell all ofyour friends. You promise? Ok, well to me and many of my col-leagues, the big secret is a day planner. Now I know you maybelieve that a day planner can’t possibly help you out with any-thing. I used to feel the same way. I just thought it wouldn’t dome any good. All of my superiors told me to use one and a fewpeople even bought me one, but I just thought I didn’t need it.Then I began to forget when reports were due and when I hadto make certain presentations. I even forgot when I was sup-posed to go home! So I began thinking, what will help meremember these things? The first thing that came to mind wasa day planner. Once I began using it I was more on time thanever. My grades improved because all my work was turned inon time and I was more prepared for presentations. So whenyour parents, friends, or anyone advises you to get a plannerdon’t assume you don’t need it. I recommend you accept it ifsomeone gives it to you as a gift, or buy one happily. It reallywill make a difference in your life, school, and future success.

JEFFTUREK

CHELSEALIPSCOMB

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What were your keys tosuccess in your first yearof college?

18 spring 2010

ask the cI came from a single parent home where most of the time wewere raised on government and disability checks. My mother wasa very strong woman, but she had a few medical conditions thatprevented her from working a normal job. My mother was themost important person in my life. Most of the time, she was all Ihad. Early in the summer of 2008 I received some of the worstnews I may ever receive in my lifetime, my mother was diagnosedwith breast cancer. My brother was away at school at the time soI was left to deal with this trauma by myself. I was a seventeen-year-old youth left with the responsibilities of a home and all thethings that came with it. I also worked almost every day to try toearn some extra money.

As I watched my mother slowly begin to feel the effects ofthis disease and its treatments, her spirit was stronger than ever.Physically she was beaten and battered, but emotionally she wasundeterred. Every day she fought just a little more, she did notwant to leave her children quite yet. After about three monthswith her battle with this viscous disease I lost my mother. Threemonths was all the time it took for my world to be turned upsidedown and everything I had ever feared as a child was now myreality. I had two choices that I could make at this time: I couldgive up and shut down or I could stand up and fight just as mymother did until her final hour.

I became a whole new person during this time. I rededicatedmyself not only to myself, but to my future. I realized the onlyroute to a brighter future was through education. I would nolonger be the underachiever. I would now be the one who suc-ceeds at everything I would attempt. Through diligence andhard work I made the honor roll three out of four times my sen-ior year in high school. I was on a short leash academically. I had to be disciplined and stick to my work day in and day out.There was no time for a break. That whole year my mindsetwas to work and keep working until I reached my goal, and mygoal was to make it to a traditional university.

All of my hard work paid off and I was conditionally acceptedto Clarion University upon completion of a summer programbefore the fall semester. Everything began to fall into place for me.As of right now I hold a 3.8 grade point average and have madethe Dean’s List. I am so thankful to the people at The PittsburghPromise for assisting me in my venture toward making a betterlife for myself.

LAURENKUNZE

idea pod 19

I go to a university that has a study abroad program for first yearstudents. Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania has whatit calls FYSAE, or the First Year Study Abroad Experience. I choseto spend my first year abroad in London, England. However, I’venow been to my home university in America and there are a fewthings that are helpful to any student, in any country.

Deadlines. Make them. Throughout high school, I was aconstant procrastinator. It’s a habit that just builds up. One ofthe greatest tools that I took with me to college that I learnedin high school was to manage my time well. This was espe-cially important for me because while I was having a goodtime going out and exploring London, I still had to rememberthat the primary reason that I was there was for school. If I vis-ited museums during the day, I made sure to set aside a fewhours at night to brush up on “The History of Modern Britain.”If I spent the weekend going backpacking in Scotland, the firstthing I packed was my reading for the coming week. The sameapplies for any university. In order to take advantage of all thecool extracurricular things that universities offer, you have to atleast have guidelines. By giving yourself deadlines, you canaccurately gauge how much time you have to do the fun stuff.

Budget. Plan out your resources. This part isn’t very fun,but you need to do it. Trust me, the dollars will fly out of yourpocket faster than you can say “late night coffee runs.” I knowthat this doesn’t seem to relate directly to academics, but hav-ing a budget gives you one less thing to stress out about. Onething that worked for me was having a number in mind forevery week. If you save money one week, great! Take it anddo something fun, or save it for next years’ books.

Get involved! When I got back to my home university inthe states, the first thing that I did was apply for as manyactivities as I could. This was a great opportunity for me tomeet people other than the people I had been hanging outwith constantly in London. You may also take interest insomething that you had never considered before. College is allabout expanding your horizons, and this is the only time inyour life that you’ll have so many opportunities to do so manydifferent things, and for such a low price! Make sure to ask fora student discount at every opportunity. “Study Abroad” isalso something you should consider at some point in your col-lege career. It’s truly a life changing experience.

Good luck, and have fun!

collegiate

20 spring 2010

Pittsburgh:the place where our nation can restore its faith in public education by Grant Oliphant

idea pod 21

IF AMERICA’S STATURE as a world economic power iscontingent on the success of our students in higher edu-cation—as many of us firmly believe—our nation isindeed on shaky ground. Recent reports have underscoredhow we are failing our nation’s public school systems.More tragic are the consequences this is having for manythousands of children and their families, not to mentionthe dire long-term prospects for our country.

Many eminent institutional figures, including ourPresident, place an inexorable correlation between America’sacademic success in its 100,000-plus public school sys-tems and its future economic, social and cultural well-being. Simply, we need more of our kids to graduate if ournation is to avoid falling further behind.

Against this backdrop there are strenuous efforts tak-ing place in parts of the country, including Pittsburgh, toraise academic achievement in our public schools and

bridge the achievement gap between white students andother ethnicities.

In Pittsburgh we go one better. And given our owncomparatively recent history in the early 1990s of dys-functional and fractured leadership in the PittsburghPublic Schools and poor academic performance—reflec-tive of issues on a national scale—the results are nothingshort of extraordinary.

The Pittsburgh Promise, which began nearly 2½ yearsago as a gigantically bold idea inviting students of thePittsburgh Public Schools to “dream big and work hard,”has become so much more than that.

It is an engine of transformative change not only forour kids and their families, but as an economic and devel-opment stimulus for the Pittsburgh region benefiting ourbroad community as a whole. Already, The Promise hasreceived national recognition and acclaim and is held upas a model for similar public school scholarship initiativesacross the United States. Cleveland is just one locationwhere a version of The Promise could be unveiled soon,possibly before the end of this year.

Pittsburgh Langley High School

22 spring 2010

www.ccac.edu

412.237.3100

The Community College of Allegheny County

is proud to congratulateCCAC student

Molly Schwartz

Pittsburgh Promise graduate.

“Ms. Schwartz’s dedication

Alex Johnson, PhDPresident, CCAC

CCAC proudly serves many Pittsburgh Promise students.

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Furthermore, the potential of The Promise was a keyfactor in the decision by the Bill and Melinda GatesFoundation last fall to award a $40 million grant to thePittsburgh Public Schools for teacher and curriculumadvancement programs. This is the biggest grant in theschool district’s history, a truly ground-breaking achievementand symbolically it is one of the most powerful affirmationswe could possibly have.

It helps to drive Pittsburgh Public Schools towards anew and crucial phase of its successful reform efforts. Onefactor that is so crucial to student achievement is havinga good teacher at the head of the classroom.

The Pittsburgh Promise is gaining traction significantlyin our community. Business leaders are embracing thephilosophical, financial and economic goals for improvingthe region’s workforce through education.

The program’s role in this regard is strategically andpurposefully designed to help stem the population exodusfrom our city and to play an important role in re-energizingbusiness development. The Promise encourages families toremain in Pittsburgh; it acts as an incentive for families tomove here, which in turn provides the basis for a stable,sustainable and well-educated workforce on which busi-nesses depend for long-term growth and prosperity.

We hope and believe that as Promise scholars beginto graduate, the majority will choose to remain in theregion, further enhancing our local jobs market. There isno other program like The Promise in America just nowwhich serves as an educational incentive and scholarshipprogram while seeking at the same time to fulfill theneeds of local businesses, to the social, cultural and eco-nomic benefit of the community.

So is Pittsburgh the place where the nation gets torestore its faith in public education? I believe and hope thatit is. In combination with the reforms underway in theschool district, The Promise serves as a positive tippingpoint for a turnaround over time. Clearly this is a long-term

focus with a long-term commitment for change and everyone of us has a part to play in its success.

Many of the stories I hear from individual students aresimilar, yet remain compelling and poignant testimonies ofhow young lives in Pittsburgh are changing: children whoonce did not see college as part of their future and whoare now inspired to fulfill their dreams of something more.

There are many proud parents watching the firstmembers of their family pursue an education degree. Andour region is at last witnessing evidence of a new era ofhope and opportunity.

Grant OliphantPresident and CEOThe Pittsburgh Foundation

idea pod 23

Promises made. Promises kept.

For over 160 years, Saint Francis University has been keeping promises to students just like you. The promise of a better education

and the promise of a better tomorrow. Today, 97% of all Saint Francis graduates are employed or in graduate school just six months

after they graduate. That’s a promise kept.

www.francis.edu | Reach Higher. Go Far.

Fitting right in.Sarah Lorya of Erie is a history/political science major atthe University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and president of theHistory Club.

What does she like best about Pitt-Bradford? “I honestly feltat home from the first day here. I know I am surrounded byindividuals who are motivated and willing to give me ahelping hand when needed.”

Find out what Sarah already knows: You can earn a degreefrom the University of Pittsburgh on a friendly, safe campus.

beyondyou can goBradford

www.upb.pitt.edu

Sarah enjoys a coffee break with a friend.Above and below:Pittsburgh Carrick High School

RESOLby Doug Henry, PhD

24 spring 2010

CONFLICTBeing a teenager isn’t easy. There’s always a whole lot going on. Youhave to deal with intense feelings and inner drives while still main-taining your cool. People don’t always agree with what is and isn’tokay in teen culture, movies, music, or in or outside of school.Knowing how to settle disagreements with others without gettinginto trouble, or getting hurt, or hurting someone else, is key to beinga successful teenager.

UTIONidea pod 25

How do you learn how to resolve conflicts? You need to know a few basic moves for resolving disagreements and thenpractice, practice, practice. If there is a conflict resolution curriculum atyour school it would be smart to get involved. Conflict resolution teachesimportant skills that will give you a head start on the path to becoming abetter person, friend, family member, and leader. One thing is certain:You’ll have opportunities to use these skills, so learning them is not awaste of time.

Conflict happens and cannot always be avoided. Conflict is not bad initself. But it’s how people handle conflict that makes it good or bad, orreally bad. The worst outcome, of course, is physical violence. Fighting isa kind of admission that one or both people involved aren’t smart enoughto figure out how to resolve things in a better way. When two teenagersfight, they both lose for two reasons: 1) school or legal authorities arebound to get involved, and 2) violence breeds more violence in the formof revenge. Fighting just isn’t smart.

So what can you do to avoid conflict? Use the following nine tips.*Write them down and keep them in your locker, wallet, or backpack. Theywill come in handy.1. Tell the other person what is bothering you—but do it nicely.2. Don’t let your emotions take control.3. Listen to the other person.4. Try to understand how the other person is feeling.5. No name-calling or insults.6. No hitting.7. Don’t yell or raise your voice.8. Look for a compromise. 9. If all else fails, ask somebody else to help!

*Adapted from goodcharacter.com.

The best way to practice conflict resolution is to role-play. Role-playingis like practicing a scene for a play or movie. It helps you to get inside thehead of another person. This is exactly what you need in conflict resolution.You need to understand what the other person wants and how they’re feel-ing. It gives you a head start in negotiating. Work with a parent or teacher,and pretend that the adult is a teenager with whom you have a problem.Your objective is to resolve the problem peacefully. Don’t try this with otherteens unless it is in a workshop setting with a qualified adult leader.

Conflict resolution skills are tools for individual empowerment. Notonly will they make you a better person, but a better friend, a better leader,and whole lot cooler.

Doug Henry, PhDClinical AdministratorChild and Adolescent ProgramsWestern Psychiatric Institute and Clinicof UPMC

Conflict resolution teaches important skills that will giveyou a head start on the path to becoming a better person,friend, family member, and leader.

Pittsburgh Schenley High School

International Brotherhoodof Electrical Workers

Local Union No. 5

5 Hot Metal Street, Southside, Pittsburgh, PA

For all your electrical & telecommunicationneeds, using qualified contractors with

highly-trained electrical workers, contact(412) 432-1400

Michael R. Dunleavy, Business ManagerDennis E. Eicker, President

Thomas R. McIntyre, Vice-PresidentThomas H. Higgins, Recording Secretary

Michael W. Varholla, Treasurer

“EARN WHILE YOU LEARN”

A 5-year PAID Electrical Apprenticeship Program (the equivalent of a $200,000 scholarship)

• Earn wages & benefi ts while going thru the program

• Receive a CCAC Associate Degree in Electrical Construction Technology

• Be a proud Union Member

• Be a part of our over 118-year proud history

• Be a part of our over 25 years of Green Technology

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Graduate

• 18 years of age

• Current Driver’s License

• 1 year of High School Algebra

• Live within IBEW Local 5’s jurisdiction (covers 22 counties in PA)

For Questions & Application Information, please call:

JOINT APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING COMMITTEE

I.B.E.W. Local Union No. 5 &W. PA Chapter, NECA

(412) 432-1145

5 Hot Metal Street, Suite 100Pittsburgh, PA 15203

www.ibewlocal5jatc.com

26 spring 2010

GENEVA COLLEGE

FINDYOUR

AT

At Geneva College, we believe that education is more than career training. It’s a pathway to purpose — a way for you to grow and develop into the person God created you to be.

With over 30 majors and a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, Geneva provides challenging academics on a personal level. Learning extends beyond the classroom through life on campus, internships and more than 35 study-abroad programs.

Geneva is also affordable, with nearly 95% of our students qualifying for some type of financial aid. The college awards a special $1,000 grant to Pittsburgh Promise scholars.

Start on the path to finding your purpose. Schedule a campus visit to Geneva College today.

GENEVA COLLEGE3200 College Ave., Beaver Falls, PA 15010@GenevaNews

Geneva College800.847.8255

www.geneva.edu

CONTACT US

528.748.008

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idea pod 27

28 spring 2010

INSIDE PPS

PITTSBURGHLANGLEY

In this issue of the IdeaPod we feature the students of three of the Pittsburgh Public Schools:Pittsburgh Langley High School;Pittsburgh Carrick High School; Pittsburgh Schenley High School. Photographs by Josh Franzos.

idea pod 29

PITTSBURGHCARRICK

30 spring 2010

PITTSBURGHCARRICK continued

idea pod 31

PITTSBURGHSCHENLEY

32 spring 2010

PITTSBURGHSCHENLEY continued

AccountingEducation

ManagementNursing

PsychologyScience

Social Sciences

Values. Scholarship. Vision.®

www.carlow.edu

idea pod 33

LIVE IN OUR CITY.

ATTENDOUR SCHOOLS.

EARN$20,000 FOR COLLEGE.

JAHMIAH2009 UPMC Scholarof The Pittsburgh PromisePenn State, Greater Allegheny CampusStudying Petrolium and Gas Engineering

1901 Centre AvenueSuite 204Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219www.pittsburghpromise.org

Prsrt StdUS Postage

PAIDPittsburgh, PAPermit #1715

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