Marc Cherna Fellowship

The Cherna Fellows program is an exclusive opportunity for University of Pittsburgh students pursuing graduate degrees in the School of Social Work to gain experience within an organization that designs, plans, organizes, and implements human services for over 200,000 people, and with a network of providers. This Fellows program is jointly administered by the University's School of Social Work and the Institute of Politics (IOP). The IOP was created in 1989 as a nonpartisan policy organization serving Southwestern Pennsylvania and delivers timely information about issues affecting our region to elected officials, community leaders, and the public. The Cherna Fellow will embark on experiential learning opportunities within Allegheny County and address all of the core competencies in social work while developing knowledge and practice in public policy analysis, development, and advocacy. 

About Marc Cherna

For twenty-five years, Marc Cherna provided extraordinary leadership as Director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, developing increasingly effective ways of delivering essential services to our most vulnerable neighbors. The most important products of his efforts are the countless lives saved or improved through the work of his DHS team as it dealt with such seemingly intractable challenges as homelessness, child abuse, substance use disorders, and mental illness. Marc's impact was even more substantial because his innovative approaches provided inspiring models locally and for other communities in the state and nation. 

Program Benefits

Eligibility Requirements

• Full-time advanced standing/specialization students enrolled in the MSW Program.
• Direct Practice or COSA
• There are only two opportunities available for this fellowship.