Hi! My name is Savannah Tracy, and I’m a sophomore at Pitt majoring in Political Science and Environmental Studies. On campus, I serve as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for FP 0001 (Academic Foundations) and work as a Student Assistant at the Child Development Center. This past May, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica with LCI Veritas through Pitt Global Experiences, and I look forward to taking on more international learning experiences in the future!  

  I am honored to be given the opportunity to join the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative’s Pitt cohort this semester. My passion for research and community development in this area is deeply personal, since Fayette County is home to me. Like many rural Appalachian communities, I believe this region remains underserved both economically and socially.  Born and raised in Uniontown, PA, I firmly think that I bring forth a significant firsthand perspective to help face the unique strengths and challenges of our population. My community partner, David DePalma, shares my passion and enthusiasm for this initiative, seeing it as a meaningful opportunity to expand his business while growing his entrepreneurial skills. Building on 31 years of experience in the trade, David established DePalma Flooring to deliver top-tier craftsmanship to the region. His primary goals for the future of his business are to expand inventory and operations, boost brand visibility, and deliver expert service that fosters long-lasting client relationships. Through this research partnership, I aim to support David’s vision while making a meaningful, positive impact in my hometown.

  Over the summer, I worked as a Secretary for the Public Defender’s Office at the Fayette County Courthouse. I have always had an interest in law and policy, but this experience solidified my goals, and it gave me a clearer view of client-attorney relations. Looking ahead, I see this research initiative as a valuable chance to develop strong professional relationships that will also benefit my future work in a similar way. Community development is deeply important to me, and researching Fayette County’s economic standing will hopefully help me identify ways to support and uplift the area. I want to support the community that built me while developing the professional communication and management skills needed to thrive in the workforce.

  Academically, I aim to strengthen my research and analytical skills to better understand the intersection of economics and, soon, environmental impact data during my career. Within the field of environmental law, I am driven to foster sustainable conditions where both communities and nature can thrive together. As part of the ACRI cohort, my research on economic outlooks for small businesses will equip me with the foundational skills needed to generate meaningful insights, serve my community, and set it up for a successful future. 

   Above all, I aim to refine my active listening skills to accurately assess my client’s needs and produce an effective deliverable. I believe that true professional value comes from actively listening to client and supervisor input, evaluating that feedback, and directly applying it to the project promptly. Just as importantly, I recognize the necessity of being proactive and seeking guidance when ambiguity arises to prevent minor issues from compounding into larger ones down the line. Throughout this semester, my goal is to deliver a final product that exceeds my client’s expectations while upholding my personal standard for excellence in my work.