As the eldest daughter of Cuban refugees and the first generation to earn a college and Ph.D., many aspects of Belkis Torres's life experiences and identity shape the way she advances her education at Pitt.
Torres had the opportunity to travel to her parents' home country of Cuba for the first time in 2017. During her week-long trip, Torres learned from Pitt's university partners at the University of Havana and experienced “moments of growth and connection.”
“The dynamic cultural tension between going to a place where one's heritage and roots lie and not being able to fully immerse oneself in that place creates a strong sense of belonging and respect for culture, heritage, and language in students. “It really opened my eyes to how to talk to people, to learn and understand politics in an incredibly nuanced and personal way,'' Torres said.
Almost seven years later, Torres still applies the lessons she learned from that trip to her work as Pitt's lieutenant governor for inclusive excellence in education.
“The more we can sit back and listen and understand other people's experiences, the more we can grow and evolve and change. So that was really special.” Torres reflected on the importance of active listening as an educator and administrator.
Torres, who was appointed as the university's first vice president last January, has worked on a variety of projects during his nearly nine years at the university, including increasing opportunities for multicultural exchange, reforming general education requirements, and establishing a global hub. Ta. Torres is also an assistant professor of Latinx and gender studies, where she studies the influence of popular culture on marginalized women.
Before coming to Pitt, Torres worked as academic director of Latin American studies at the University of Miami in 2015. Her current vice chancellor for international affairs, Ariel Armony, hired her to fill the role of associate director of international programs at Pitt. After serving for about a year and a half, she was promoted to vice president for global engagement.
Torres found her way into higher education administration during her undergraduate years as one of only three Latinx students at the school. She and her colleagues founded the first Hispanic awareness student organization as a way to address the concerns of Latinx students, who at the time were “outside the mainstream culture of the school.”
“That was the beginning of a trajectory for me that made me realize that academia has great power to make a difference in the lives of students, not just in the classroom, but outside of it,” Torres said.
When Torres came to the university in 2015, one of the first projects she worked on involved developing Pitt's first global plan, which allows the university to invest more in global research programs .
“We spent about a year talking with student organizations, faculty, staff, alumni and partners overseas and around Pittsburgh about what this plan would look like,” Torres said. “One of the things we learned is that our students feel really lucky to be at an institution that has so many resources, including global learning classes, internship opportunities, and study abroad opportunities. is. [and] But they were always really confused about where to go to ask the first question. ”
In this way, “Embracing the World: Pitt's Global Plan 2016-2020” introduces the Global Hub, a place on campus where students can learn about global opportunities at Pitt and be exposed to different cultures and languages. I have grown. During this time, Mr. Torres continued to expand his work at the University, taking on a new role as Executive Director of Global Engagement in 2018.
As project lead executive director, Mr. Torres played a key role in the creation and planning of the global hub. The two-year process involved significant collaboration between Focus His group of students, faculty, academic affairs, the project's designers, and many others.
The Global Hub, a “source of pride” for Torres, officially opened in 2019. Torres said that in creating the global hub on the main floor of Posvar's hall, the idea was to make any student feel welcome in the space and learn more. Ta. Global research — reflected in the comfortable seating and digital learning environments on display.
“Everything in this space was actually curated specifically for Pitt students,” Torres said. “And it's always changing and evolving. As students provide feedback and share their ideas, Global His Hub continues to change and evolve. And that it grows with the student community.” It’s important.”
Jeff Whitehead, executive director of global engagement, has worked with Torres since she first came to Pitt and called her role in building the global hub a “remarkable accomplishment.”
“She was able to take an empty, slightly dark hallway and turn it into something so beautiful,” Whitehead said. “That's a really impressive feat.”
At the time, Mr. Whitehead served as dean of international studies and worked closely with Mr. Torres on the global hub planning process.
“I saw the obstacles she had to overcome to make that happen, and it was really amazing when it finally happened,” Whitehead said.
Much of Torres' work at Pitt has focused on global engagement and multicultural programs, but last year she took on a new challenge. Her current position in the provost's office is a first at Pitt and is based on a survey by the Association of American Universities. Her role focuses on asking what it means for institutions like Pitt to provide an “inclusive and excellent education.”
“This position is beginning to identify what the structural barriers are to student success,” Torres said. “Because the policies, practices and procedures we have in place are unintentionally disproportionately impacting some students in some way.”
Just over a year into his new role, Torres is already working to reshape the university's policies to meet the needs of students. What she's been working on lately: Reform of general education requirements For undergraduate students.
In addition to her work at the facility, Torres has focused on fostering a sense of community at the pit. Torres serves as co-president of the Hispanic Latinx Professional Association, which allows him to collaborate with the Latinx Student Association and the Latin American Graduate Student Organization.
“It was great to work with LSA in that capacity this year,” Torres said. “I have connected them with colleagues in philanthropy to help the organization develop stronger, more strategic fundraising plans moving forward.”
LSA president and senior athletic training major Olivia Lopez said Torres serves as a “lock-keeping” resource for students and the organization. [them] It is stable throughout the year. ”
Although Lopez and Torres' relationship has been together for less than a year, she described her as an integral part of the Pitt community.
“Thanks to her involvement and strong passion for expanding the reach of global learning, we were able to access more resources and build more connections,” said Lopez. . “She is always eager to collaborate with different organizations and departments to create something magical.”
When Lopez thinks of Torres, the words “dedicated and incredibly charismatic” come to mind.
“What you don't know about Belkies when you read her biography is that she's very easy to talk to,” Lopez said. “Whenever you talk to her, she's very enthusiastic and knows how to connect with her people. You'll definitely share her laugh with her too.”
Mr. Whitehead highlighted Mr. Torres' passion and ability to foster connections even during difficult times. He said Torres played a key role in maintaining morale and maintaining strong communication during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Even though it was a very difficult time, we were able to make some really good memories. So she stayed light-hearted and was a really great leader through that very difficult time.” ,” Whitehead said. “I’m happy to say she came out the other side victorious.”
(Courtesy of Belquise Torres)
Since coming to Pittsburgh, Torres has brought many changes to the university. She said what excites her about Pitt is that it allows people to recognize the need to constantly improve.
“I think I would really leave if it was an institution that was more curious and concerned about immigrants and ethnicities, more welcoming and respectful of people of all cultures and all backgrounds.”I'm excited about the experience. ,” Torres said. “I know there are a lot of people around the world who are passionate about this work, and we all recognize there's a lot of work to do.”
Whitehead highlighted all of Torres' efforts at Pitt, from creating a global hub and expanding global education to continuing to be a dedicated leader during the pandemic.
“I think the impact is just beginning,” Whitehead said. “She will continue to bring her truly great personality and attitude and well-rounded approach to solving problems and making the student experience a truly great one. hoping.”
As a first-generation student turned administrator and educator, Torres hopes to continue serving as a resource for students.
“I believe in conversation and the power of good dialogue,” Torres said. “That’s why I always encourage students to reach out and come have a cup of Cuban coffee if you want and have a nice conversation.”
