The University of Pittsburgh School of Law and the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University have named the 2026-2027 Susan Yohe Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC) scholars. This year’s recipients are Muhammed Tarik Kose (Drexel University ’22), Pitt Law; and Ayan Patel (University of Nevada ’25), Duquesne Kline. The scholarship is in its fifth year of existence.
The PLDIC created the Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholarship in collaboration with Pitt Law and Duquesne Kline to honor Susan Yohe’s lifetime of service to championing and furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Pittsburgh legal community. Yohe is one of the PLDIC’s founders and served as its Executive Director from its inception in 2017 until her retirement in 2021. Scholarship award recipients receive a $10,000 tuition scholarship per year. PLDIC member Duquesne Light Company funds the PLDIC’s scholarship portion, and Pitt Law and Duquesne Kline contribute the remainder.
These recipients demonstrate a commitment to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. In addition to the monetary award, this fall, the scholarship winners will also be invited to meet with PLDIC leadership, Pitt Law and Duquesne Kline leadership, and other leaders in the Pittsburgh legal community. The PLDIC will introduce each recipient to its 60 member organizations through the PLDIC newsletter, social media, and website.
“Being selected as the 2026-2027 Susan Yohe PLDIC Scholar is what allowed me to commit to Pitt Law and continue my journey to become an attorney,” said Muhammed Tarik. “I am honored that I was not only considered for the scholarship but also selected as the recipient. Thank you to Susan Yohe for all her work on DEI and to the PLDIC for allowing me to join the family.”
“I’m honored to be a recipient of such an impactful scholarship, and I look forward to giving back to the Pittsburgh legal community while making the most of this opportunity,” Ayan said.