University of Pittsburgh

06/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/12/2025 12:22

How Heidi Ward is helping write the next chapter of Greater Hazelwood

For Heidi Ward, home is where the heart is - and where her advocacy is rooted. She's not only the director of Pitt's Neighborhood Commitment in Greater Hazelwood, she lives there, too.

"Pitt is an incredible example of how we can leverage our universities for the betterment of our communities. 'We're better when we're together' is a motto I follow," said Ward. "My professional role allows me to put that into action. Let's see what we can do when we show up unified."

For more than 25 years, Pitt has partnered with the Greater Hazelwood community to boost the area's educational opportunities and access to health services. The ongoing affiliation has resulted in numerous projects, including The KRUNK Movement with Center of Life, a youth hip-hop songwriting program for high school students, and the installation of air quality monitors throughout the neighborhood.

The University's collaborative efforts are executed through its Neighborhood Commitments, an initiative led by the Office of Engagement and Community Affairs (ECA) to provide long-term support in the form of staffing, infrastructure and coordination between Pitt and Pittsburgh's Homewood, Hill District, Oakland and Greater Hazelwood neighborhoods. Each of these commitments is unique to the neighborhood itself, with the University fostering ongoing relationships by partnering with community organizations and leaders, offering classes and hosting events.

"The University of Pittsburgh is a top-rate research institution with over 33,000 undergraduate and graduate students, and part of its mission is to ensure that education reaches outside those walls," she said.

Since taking the helm as director, Ward has led the Greater Hazelwood team in collaborating with local nonprofits and residents to advance the goals detailed in the Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Plan, a community-sourced document adopted by the City of Pittsburgh Planning Commission in 2019. Key components outlined in the plan - including promoting economic development through training and business incubation and addressing barriers to education - inform Pitt's community engagement priorities.

Lead by listening

Ward describes her day-to-day duties in Greater Hazelwood as "having a lot of conversations" on behalf of the University. Those conversations take place at various locations like Hazelwood Cafe, block parties or even when she's out walking her dogs; she's always available to listen and learn.

"My job is to break down barriers for people who feel as if they can't connect to the University," Ward said. "Pitt is a large entity, and I'm a real person who works there."

From leading advisory committees to tabling at neighborhood festivals with her team, Ward's efforts to make space for people to be heard have paid off, said Danielle Davis, a homeowner and business owner in Glen Hazel.

Davis served on a Pitt-led workforce development committee that was instrumental in identifying pathways to employment in the Greater Hazelwood area.

"Heidi understands the needs of the residents and how the University can help meet those needs. People recognize that they're seen in her heart. I think that's priceless," Davis said.

The Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment is especially invested in ensuring residents have a voice in the construction of Hazelwood Green, a development transforming the site of the former Jones and Laughlin Steel mill, which once served as a regional economic cornerstone.

"The neighborhood is still reeling from the mill's closing, but the team behind Hazelwood Green has implemented lessons from the past," said Ward.

"We've learned a lot about what happens when one industry rooted in a neighborhood leaves, and the mixed-use design of Hazelwood Green addresses those lessons. There are multiple industries as part of the project, as well as housing and designated green space," she added.

The life sciences are one of the industries taking root in Hazelwood Green: Among them is Pitt's BioForge biomanufacturing facility, dedicated to ushering in the next generation of novel cell and gene treatments and therapies.

That's where Pitt and the Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment team come in - to serve as a bridge between the educational and employment opportunities stemming from BioForge and neighborhood residents and business owners.

"I represent the University, but I'm also ensuring we do what's best for my neighbors. I think the beauty of being in this role is that I'm able to see both perspectives. It's a large responsibility, and I take it seriously," Ward said.

In addition to many construction jobs, BioForge is also projected to generate 170 full-time positions with ElevateBio, who will be the facility's anchor tenant, half of which will be open to individuals with trade school experience or community college degrees.

Already, anticipation for BioForge has spurred a biotechnology after-school program for Greater Hazelwood's middle school students. Last fall, ECA partnered with the Smithsonian Science Education Center and Center of Life to host 11 sessions introducing students to hands-on learning activities that explored gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction and other related topics.

[Read more about Pitt's partnership with the Smithsonian.]

"We received feedback from the community that young people needed more exposure to biotechnology and life sciences; they need more awareness about what will be happening at BioForge and at the University," Ward said. "We asked ourselves: How can we do that in a fun and engaging way?"

Just the beginning

The University is committed to growing life sciences economic opportunities beyond BioForge. In the coming years, Pitt aims to open a Community Engagement Center (CEC) in Hazelwood Green. It will be housed in the headquarters of Pitt's long-term partner Center of Life, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting the community through educational opportunities and support services.

Martha Puzio has witnessed many changes in Hazelwood since moving to the neighborhood in 1968; some of these changes have been for the worse, but today the future is looking brighter.

"Nothing happened here after the mills closed," she said, adding, "but there's new blood coming into the neighborhood. It's a nice area now."

She attributes the positive changes to the construction of Hazelwood Green and Pitt's community organizing efforts, spearheaded by Ward and the Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment team.

"Heidi is very hands-on in her work. She's proud to live in Hazelwood, she loves the community and that reflects in what she does," said Puzio.

To learn more about Pitt's work in Greater Hazelwood, visit the Neighborhood Commitments website.

Top photo by Tom Altany

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