Darris Means, an associate professor in the School of Education, is now Pitt’s first executive director for rural and community-based education. 

Means, who arrived at Pitt in 2020 and since then has racked up accolades including joining the Rural Education Association’s executive committee, said his passion for rural education comes from his belief that people learn from each other.

“We have a lot to learn from people who have expertise because of a lived experience,” Means said. “I collaborate with students as co-researchers to investigate issues that are impacting their lives. And every time I do, I learn so much. And I leave with a sense of being very hopeful for the possibilities.” 

Means began his research while pursuing a doctorate in 2010, and since then has pivoted to looking for ways to solve issues that frequently affect Black rural youth from entering into higher education. 

“There are critical structural issues that we need to pay attention to when we talk about rurality, but at the same time, we can never forget the humanity and the assets and resources that people from rural communities bring with them,” Means said. 

Since he was named executive director in January, Means created a group of Pitt stakeholders who want to discuss and solve problems rural students face, and has spent time talking to rural students at Pitt to understand their lived perspectives as well.