Aliya Durham

Aliya D. Durham is an Assistant Professor and Director of Community Engagement at the Center on Race and Social Problems, with a faculty affiliation at the School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh. With over 20 years of experience in health and human services, she has held leadership roles at organizations like the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh and National Council for Urban Peace and Justice.

Educational Background:

• Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Master of Social Work (Macro Practice)
• Master of Public and International Affairs (Economic and Social Development)
• Doctorate in Community Engagement (Point Park University, 2020)

Research Interests:
Aliya focuses on community development and collective impact frameworks, particularly in underserved communities like Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood. Her work explores intersections of sense of community responsibility, distributed leadership theories, and servant leadership in social work contexts.

Scientific Recognition:

• Pittsburgh Magazine's 40 Under 40 (2004)
• Talk Magazine's Minority Achievers (2013)
• New Pittsburgh Courier's 50 Women of Excellence (2013)
• Inaugural Who's Who in Black Pittsburgh (2015)

Academic Contributions:
Teaches graduate courses in Human Services Management, Group/Intergroup Relations, and Grant Writing. Manages the Browne Fellowship, translating social work values to non-social work undergraduates. Facilitates community-engaged research and practices at the School of Social Work.

Community Leadership:
Co-founder and Board Vice Chair of Homewood Children's Village; Fund Development Co-Chair for POISE Foundation. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in marginalized communities.