In the book, “Leadership Jazz”, Max DePree draws on the musical genre of jazz to explain his sense of what lies at the core of leadership; what you hear and what you feel; connecting one’s voice with one’s touch. Diane Hightower maintains a voice that centers on how leadership development translates to strengthened organizational behavior, and a touch that focuses on relationship building, partnerships, and community engagement.

Along with her siblings, Ms. Hightower co-founded Hightower Scholars, Inc. (HSI) in 1999 where she serves as the Executive Director. The mission of HSI is to provide academic support and college readiness programming for students of color from western Pennsylvania.

Diane Hightower is very involved in community engaged learning as exemplified by her volunteer service on the YWCA Westmoreland County Board, the Peoples Library Board, and the Willie Thrower Award Foundation. Currently, Ms. Hightower is a diversity educator and trainer for the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh’s Center for Race and Gender Equity, consultant for the Westmoreland Diversity Coalition, diversity consultant for ABC Create, and advisor to the Westmoreland Museum of American Art.  

In 2017, Dean Hightower joined Carlow University as an adjunct faculty member in the Master of Arts in Student Affairs; and a year later became the inaugural Director of Learning Support in the Student Academic Success Center at Carnegie Mellon University. Early appointments include the chief student affairs officer at Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC); the Dean of Student Support Services at DePauw University, the Director for the Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy at Chatham University; the Dean of Judicial Affairs at Washington & Jefferson College; the Special Assistant to the President and Director of Multicultural Affairs at Lake Forest College; and the Assistant Director of Lincoln University’s Master of Arts in Human Services. Her higher education career began at the New Kensington Campus of Pennsylvania State University.

Dean Hightower earned her bachelor’s degree in history and international relations from the University of Pennsylvania. Later she pursued a master’s degree and a doctorate in the Higher Education program at Pennsylvania State University, received a master’s degree in public policy and management from the University of Pittsburgh, and was awarded a Citrin Leadership Program certificate.

Diane enjoys research, strategic planning, teaching, fundraising, and has a passion for racquetball that she tackles frequently in a local league.