FREE! MARCH 2021 Vol. 17 Issue 9
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Women’s Business Network Meetings in the South Hills Page 15
Community Clean Up Day in Rostraver – April 22 Page 16
Thomas Jefferson High School Grad’s Career Takes Flight Page 18
Cal U to Appoint Chief Officer for Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Alumna and longtime diversity educator joins executive leadership team at California University of Pennsylvania
South Hills Coin Club Meeting Will Discuss ‘Lincoln Cents’ The monthly meeting of the South Hills Coin Club will be held Tuesday evening March 9, at 7:30 PM at the Bethel Park municipal building located at 5100 West Library Avenue in Bethel Park. All members and the general public are invited. This month’s program will be on Lincoln Cents. A 50/50 will be offered and children’s prizes to be awarded. Applications are now being accepted for membership. For more information call 724-984-6611.
Sheleta Camarda-Webb
Alumna and longtime Cal U employee Sheleta Camarda-Webb has been appointed to serve as the university’s interim chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. In this new role, which began Feb. 15, she will lead the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and serve on the executive leadership team, known as the President’s Cabinet. Camarda-Webb holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in secondary education/social
science, both from Cal U, and is enrolled in a master’s degree program in marriage and family therapy at Northcentral University. She has been employed at Cal U since 1991, when she returned to her alma mater as a residence hall director. Since then she has filled a variety of roles in student affairs, residence life and diversity education. Throughout her career, CamardaWebb’s work has focused on LGBTQA+ issues, power and privilege, race and cultural identity. She has advocated for and informed university policies around topics such as the use of preferred names and gender-inclusive restrooms and housing. Camarda-Webb has been director of the university’s DEI Office since 2015, when it was known as the Office of Multicultural Affairs. She is a founding member of Cal U’s Safe Zone Allies Program for gay, lesbian and transgender students. In 2019, she was named co-chair of the university’s Presidential Advisers for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Her work as chief DEI officer will embrace Cal U’s community of students, faculty and staff. “Each of us holds multiple identi-
ties – race, gender and so much more,” Camarda-Webb said. “We have to be able to live and learn, educate and excel in an environment where we all can be our authentic selves.” Camarda-Webb also will work with Dr. Denise Pearson, vice chancellor and chief DEI officer for Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, and her PASSHE counterparts to address issues at the System level. Interim University President Robert Thorn stressed the importance of making the chief DEI officer a member of his executive leadership team. “We must do more than talk about these issues,” Thorn said. “Diversity, equity and inclusion must be at the forefront of our thinking as we make decisions about our University and its future.” California University of Pennsylvania empowers undergraduate and graduate students to reach their full potential with academic programs in education, science and technology, liberal arts and professional studies. Cal U is a proud member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. Learn more at calu.edu.