Three Women from the University of Pittsburgh Win National Awards

Emily Elliott, an associate professor in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School’s department of geology and environmental science, has won the 2018 Sulzman Award for Excellence in Education and Mentoring from the American Geophysical Union. The prize is given annually to a mid-career woman scientist for significant contributions as a role model and mentor for the next generation of bio-geoscientists. Dr. Elliott holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in geography and environmental engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Elaine Vitone, senior editor at Pitt Med, the magazine of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, has won the first-ever Excellence in Institutional Writing Award from the National Association of Science Writers. The award was established to recognize high-caliber, publicly accessible science writing produced on behalf of an institution or other non-media organization. Vitone holds a bachelor’s degree in English writing from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, and a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Pittsburgh.

Valerie Kinloch, the Renee and Richard Goldman Dean of the School of Education and professor at the university, is the recipient of the 2018 Advancement of People of Color Leadership Award from the National Council of Teachers of English. This honor recognizes a person of color who has made a significant contribution to the council and to the development of their professional community. Dr. Kinloch holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. She earned a master’s degree in English and African American literature and a Ph.D. in English and composition studies from Wayne State University in Detroit.