University Times

Pitt area studies programs retain education department designation

The U.S. Department of Education has designated four Pitt area studies programs as National Resource Centers (NRCs) for another three years.

The redesignation carries with it an award of approximately $3.5 million for the Asian Studies Program, the Center for Latin American Studies, the Center for Russian and East European Studies, and the Center for West European Studies (which houses one of only 10 European Union Centers in the United States).

These centers have held the NRC designation for more than two decades.

The redesignation affirms Pitt's status as a national leader in international education, said University Center for International Studies director Burkart Holzner. "Given the intensely competitive national environment, which has only become more competitive over the years, this is a tremendous success not only for the University but for our entire region. This designation will allow us to create even more opportunities here at Pitt for internationally minded students and faculty."

The NRC program is authorized through Title VI of the Higher Education Act and administered through the Department of Education's International Education and Graduate Programs Service.

Through NRC, the education department provides grants to colleges and universities to strengthen and maintain U.S. capacity in foreign languages and international studies expertise. Included in the NRC grants are foreign language and area studies fellowships to help graduate students in foreign language and other international or area studies.