PITTSBURGH, PA (September 18, 2015) — Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto will join U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today at Carnegie Mellon University for a college access rally and town hall highlighting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
Secretary Duncan will hold a 3:30 p.m. rally with high school and college students to highlight the importance of universities, schools and communities working together to enhance college access and empower student success. Following the rally, he will hold a town hall with students, teachers and administrators to discuss STEM education and the path to college. He also will address how innovation can help the higher education agenda by increasing college access, affordability, completion and workforce development.
Earlier in the day, at 2 p.m., Fitzgerald and Peduto will join the Department’s Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships Director Brenda Girton-Mitchell and Pittsburgh Public Schools officials to participate in a My Brother’s Keeper sharing session to highlight the goals of the program. The event will be held at Pittsburgh Obama K-12 in East Liberty.
Education is a lifelong path—from preschool through college and careers—where, at every point along the way, access to high-quality learning opportunities can ensure everyone is ready for success. The Department of Education is celebrating how states and local communities are working to increase access and opportunity from early learning to K-12 education to higher education.
“Much of our region’s success has to do with our partnerships with our local educational institutions, and it is rewarding to see that the value of that work is recognized outside of this region as well. Together, we are making great strides in ensuring that all children have access to and are successful in school and providing even more opportunities for them as they grow,” Executive Fitzgerald said.
Secretary Duncan was last in Pittsburgh in August 2014 for a community conversation on early childhood education initiatives in the Hill District.
“It’s great to welcome back the Secretary to Pittsburgh, where we are becoming recognized as national leaders in STEM education, and working to providing more opportunities to youth. We could not get there without great partnerships with federal, state and county government, as well as those with education, private sector and nonprofit partners,” Mayor Peduto said.
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