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L OOKING A HEAD June 2021 Since our founding, the MCSI leadership team has endeavored to include contributions of impact from throughout the Pitt community in our mission. Further, it has always been our goal to ensure that our academic programs contribute to positive outcomes for regional communities and the local economy. As such, MCSI’s core goals coincide directly with the universal values noted in the 2025 Plan for Pitt: Academic Excellence Innovation Community
Collaboration Inclusion Sustainability
One of MCSI’s earliest efforts resulted in a highly selective NSF training grant - a collaboration with universities in Brazil, and with Pitt’s Center for Latin American Studies which resulted in a highly diverse cohort of PhD students, numerous high-quality publications, and outreach to both domestic and international communities. Fast forward to the present - David Sanchez [one of the NSF Trainee cohort, now Assistant Director of MCSI] created a virtual workshop on Sustainability in Island Nations. Given the interest among our faculty and students plus alliances with global companies, our international programs will continue to strengthen and grow. Our efforts have resulted in highly successful research and education programs which have allowed faculty to reap substantial additional research funding [page 13] and also to expand their work to outreach programs in Garfield, Larimer, and Homewood [page 17]. Within the University, MCSI created and piloted courses that underpin the Undergraduate Sustainability Certificate. Our Green Speakeasy Series, despite being forced into virtual mode because of the Covid-19 pandemic, had perhaps its most successful year to date with more than 450 attendees at six events that showcased key thought leaders in sustainability from across the campus [page 7]. Both Teach-the-Teacher and Undergraduate Summer Research Program were also moved into virtual mode, yet these programs continue to grow and thrive [pages 9 and 16]. MCSI’s work is also consistent with the recently released Swanson School’s strategic planning document, “Engineering the Future,” wherein the three pillars are People, Partnerships, and Translation. As an example of one project that encompasses all three: MCSI has created partnerships with diverse groups ranging from companies such as Covestro LLC to the City of Pittsburgh to the Carnegie Science Center. Melissa Bilec led a multi-university team that acquired a major NSF grant to examine circular design convergence – the team includes faculty from multiple disciplines and universities. Melissa also organized an NSF workshop [page 12] on circularity and the global waste problem, which has led, and will likely continue to lead to enhanced partnership opportunities. Our burgeoning partnership with Covestro LLC [page 11] is designed to result in an institute around circular design, perhaps the first one of its kind in the world. With respect to action, “Engineering the Future" outlines a series of key steps to be taken in terms of “Now”, “Next”, and “Beyond”, where each category represents a future milestone period (from 6 months to 3 years), which we have replicated [page 37]. This year has not been without challenges, especially with the passing of our mentor, friend, and motivator, Jack Mascaro. Jack inspired each of us to “be great,” and we seek to honor his greatness through our work every day. As such, MCSI has endeavored to create success and greatness over the past 17 years while employing sustainability as our unifying thread. We hope you as readers find inspiration in the highlights from the 20202021 year and are inspired by our future goals, in honor and in legacy of Jack. Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Dr. Eric J. Beckman, PhD Co-Director
Gena M. Kovalcik, MPPM Co-Director
