In 1987, the University of Pittsburgh formed the Advisory Council on Regional Development (ACORD)—a diverse group of community leaders—to advise the University on how to more effectively respond to public need in six areas of concern: cultural and recreational resources, economic development, education, federal and state relations, regional governance, and societal response to economic change.
One major outgrowth of the council’s recommendations was the founding of the Institute of Politics, an independent, community-supported, nonprofit organization operating under the University’s auspices. From its start, the Institute has drawn participation from leaders in both the public and private sectors and—according to their continuing testimony—has helped these leaders arrive at more enlightened policy decisions.
At the Ninth Annual Elected Officials Retreat in 2005, the Institute underwent significant restructuring, culminating in a complete reorganization of the Institute’s infrastructure that now includes a Board of Fellows, an Executive Committee, and the following eight policy committees:
- Economic Development
- Education
- Environment
- Fiscal Policy and Governance
- Health and Human Services
- Infrastructure
- Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
- Workforce Development
During the 2005 restructuring, the Institute reemphasized its commitment to including elected officials in the development, design, and implementation of all program activities. This regular dialogue between leaders at every level of policy development creates momentum for policy actions that positively affect the region.
In an effort to further engage with the local and university community, the Institute launched the Elsie Hillman Civic Forum in 2015, an initiative designed to bring University of Pittsburgh students together with community leaders to increase civic engagement and advance the legacy of Elsie Hillman’s work.
Founding Director: Moe Coleman
Dr. Morton "Moe" Coleman was the founding director of the Institute of Politics and retired as Professor Emeritus from the School of Social Work.
Prior to serving as the Director of the Institute, Moe served as Dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Connecticut, acting Dean of the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, personal advisor to Henry Ford II on urban issues, secretary to the mayor of the city of Pittsburgh, and senior social planner for the Community Renewal Program in the Pittsburgh Department of City Planning. Moe received his Master’s in Social Work and PhD in Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Moe’s contributions to our community cannot be overstated. From his earliest days as a youth worker in the Hill District in the 1950s, he witnessed the impact of urban renewal on families, and, for the next 50 years, as a social worker, professor, and advisor to elected officials and community, civic, and business leaders, he fostered communication across race and class lines on critical topics of the day, which included hiring among underrepresented groups; union membership; fair housing; and access to quality and equal education, health care, and human services. The story from his days as a civil rights worker to his days with the Institute of Politics provides a unique window into Pittsburgh’s culture with an intimate understanding of what it was like to live, work, and play in Pittsburgh set in the context of the social, economic, and political events that shaped our region.
To learn more about Moe and the impact one community organizer can have on an entire city, please read Finding Common Ground.
For a full hard copy, please contact the IOP at 412-624-1837 or iop@pitt.edu.