Dan Getkin

Dan Getkin is the Program Assistant in the Office of Service-Learning at Duquesne University.  Because of the OSL's history of work in Hazelwood, Dan is able to offer  capacity as an administrative leader to the group.  Dan facilitates the work of the Hazelwood Partnership by maintaining lines of communication, scheduling meetings, and recording meeting minutes.

Dr. David Somers

Dr. David Somers is Chairperson and Associate Professor of the Department of Physical Therapy at Duquesne University. Somers is also the recently awarded Anna Rangos Rizakus Endowed Chair in Health Sciences and Ethics. Endowed through a gift from John Rangos Sr., in memory of his mother, the Rangos Rizakus Chair is a five year endowment designed to spearhead the University's expanded initiatives in health sciences ethics. Aside from his numerous achievements and commitments to research and academics, Dr. Somers has also been intricately involved in the development of the Hazelwood Partnership.

As part of his endowment, Somers hopes to use his resources to build an infrastructure by which deserving students in Hazelwood can be identified, mentored and brought through Duquesne’s Physical Therapy professional degree program. He continues to be an integral part of the ongoing mission of the Hazelwood Partnership.

Tim Smith

Tim Smith is the Executive Director of the Center of Life and the Pastor of the Keystone Church of Hazelwood. Tim was born and raised in Pittsburgh and educated in the Pittsburgh public schools. For the past 25 years, Tim has dedicated his life to empowering families and youth. In doing so, he has established a variety of entrepreneurship programs that train and educate adults and youth.

As part of the Hazelwood Partnership, Tim has acted as the guiding force for how the Partnership interacts with the community of Hazelwood. Utilizing the resources of the Center of Life, Tim continues to be an integral member of the Partnership.

Herb Kolbe

Herb Kolbe has served as a liaison between Duquesne University and the Hazelwood community since he became an advisor to the Crossroads Christian Fellowship group at Duquesne University in February of 2007.  Herb has been employed by the CCO, a regional campus ministry organization based in Pittsburgh, for the last 20 years.  He holds a B.Sc. degree from Penn State University and an M.A. degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.

As a part of his job with the CCO, Herb has regularly worked with the Center of Life in various capacities. It is this connection that served as the initial spark to begin the Hazelwood Partnership. Herb currently serves on the Center of Life’s Board of Directors, and continues to be actively involved in the Hazelwood Partnership.

Peter Chace

Peter Chace is a graduate of the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University. For his first year out of school, Peter accepted a position with Americorps*VISTA to serve a year in Pittsburgh and split his time with Duquesne University’s Office of Service Learning and Hazelwood’s Center of Life. As part of his VISTA responsibilities, Peter coordinated a new parental-engagement afterschool program in Hazelwood called FUSION. Peter now serves the Center of Life through a position with the CCO that continues to keep him in close partnership with Duquesne University.  He serves as a supportive asset to the Hazelwood Partnership, assisting with ongoing projects started by other members.

Dr. Rodney Hopson

Dr. Rodney Hopson is Hillman Distinguished Professor, Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership in the School of Education, and faculty member in the Center for Interpretive and Qualitative Research at Duquesne University. Hopson’s research interests lie in social politics and policies, foundations of education, sociolinguistics, ethnography and evaluation. During his career, Hopson has published numerous books, articles and other publications and has been part of several highly successful research projects. Learn more about Hopson’s research and publications.

As part of the Hazelwood Partnership, Hopson has served as a guiding hand into the community research aspect of the Partnership. In the fall of the 2007, Hopson along with several other members of the Partnership put together a series of focus groups in Hazelwood which began to identify and assess the felt needs of the community. It is from this initial Community Felt Needs assessment that much of the current work and projects of the Hazelwood Partnership is able to branch.

Hopson is also regularly involved with Hazelwood’s Center of Life, participating in the Father-Son Basketball program.

Dr. Lina Dostilio

Dr. Lina Dostilio is the Director of Duquesne University’s Office of Service-Learning (OSL) and Academic Community Engagement initiatives. The OSL supports students, community partners, and faculty members engaged in community-based learning. In this role Lina has introduced a number of faculty to the Center of Life and the broader Hazelwood community. Lina also facilitates the Pittsburgh Plunge, a cross-cultural mission experience that occurs over Spring Break. The Plunge introduces students to Pittsburgh’s local neighborhoods and spends one day in Hazelwood visiting with Pastor Tim Smith and getting to know the families and community members that gather at the Center of Life.

Dr. Linda Morrison

Dr. Linda Morrison is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Duquesne University. After teaching for several years at Oakland University in Michigan, she arrived at Duquesne in the fall of 2007. Within a few months she had become involved with the Hazelwood Partnership and its ongoing mission to help empower the community of Hazelwood. By the spring semester of 2008, Dr. Morrison began teaching the Helping Process course (SOCI 214) in which some of her students would choose to serve in an afterschool program at Hazelwood’s Center of Life. This service learning experience has led some students to continue their work at the Center of Life through Dr. Morrison’s Fieldwork course (SOCI 450). Dr. Morrison continues to be actively involved in the Hazelwood Partnership through her service learning classes and ongoing collaborations with colleagues.

Tyra Good

Tyra Good is a doctoral student who serves as the Community Engagement Scholars Program Manager for Duquesne University’s Office of Service-Learning. Tyra has recently been named one of Pittsburgh’s 40 under 40,  been selected as a Barbara Jackson Scholar, and named Co-Chair of the 21st Century Advisory Board in Pennsylvania. The 21st Century Advisory Board supports, advances and advocates for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program.

As part of the Hazelwood Partnership, Tyra plays an important role in connecting important resources to the needs of the community. Tyra’s many achievements and connections continue to be an invaluable asset to the Partnership.