Student Success Initiatives

Student Success Initiatives
a two by two grid of four photos of students. Top left: Student completing high ropes course. Top right: Two students talking. Bottom left: Two students in line for art supplies. Bottom right: Student in a ballroom

We're here to help you succeed.

The Office of Student Success Initiatives within the Division of Student Affairs aims to connect first-generation and income-eligible undergraduate students with opportunities and resources that will benefit their success during their time at Pitt and when they graduate.

Provost Academy

The Provost Academy a week-long opportunity for students to get a head start on the learning environment at Pitt through a project-based academic experience. Students get to move into their residence hall early, explore the campus and the city of Pittsburgh, participate in interdisciplinary team-based learning projects with faculty, and attend informational workshops and social events. 

Among a group of 250 students across the country, Provost Academy students will also get a sneak peek at the resources and services aimed for success. They will learn what Pitt classes are like, and they will build relationships with faculty, staff, the Provost Academy Leaders (student mentors), and most importantly, fellow incoming first-year students. 

Provost Academy

Provost Career Prep Academy

The Career Center has created a program specifically for Provost Academy students! This program is designed to help guide you toward gaining an internship during your time at Pitt and gaining a career after graduating. The Provost Career Prep Academy begins February 19 and will run until the beginning of April, once per week for 50 minutes per session. The program is for first-years to seniors, and staff will customize the experience for you with one-on-one help included. This program integrates years of experience from the Career Center staff to provide you with a series of topics that will help you in life and on your career journey. Some of these topics include Interviewing, networking, resumes, finding your career path, and much more.

Student with glasses laughing.

PALs

The Provost Academy Leaders (PALs) program is housed within the Office of New Student Programs in the Division of Student Affairs. The PALs program is a peer-mentorship program for Provost Academy students. Provost Academy students will be able to serve in a leadership position during future Provost Academy summer programs, and for future Provost Academy students. The purpose of PALs would be to create peer-to-peer guidance, and to build belongingness at Pitt. We will intentionally match the Provost Academy students and Provost Academy Leaders using demographic, geographic and academic qualities, and place them in PAL Groups. PALs participate in spring and summer training, provide input with programming, plan social events, assist with the implementation and execution of the 8-day Provost Academy summer program, conduct outreach and check-in meetings with mentees during the first month of each the fall and spring terms.

PALs

Students standing in Student Success Hub
Student Success Hub
The Student Success Hub exists as a space for students to collaborate with each other and with University resources.

With rooms available to reserve for group work, spaces to study, and on-demand academic resources and coaches, the Student Success Hub serves as a place for every student to feel like they belong and will succeed at Pitt.
Student sitting at a desk.
First at Pitt
Pitt defines a first-generation college student as a student who is the first in their immediate family to attend college.

The First at Pitt initiative identifies, supports, and celebrates our current first-generation students, as well as first-generation faculty, staff, and alumni. These individuals are considered part of the First at Pitt community.
Student sitting at a desk in a classroom.
Study PALs
The Study PALs program, via a partnership between the Student Success Team and Student Affairs, is an opportunity for students who need additional support in foundation level courses to study alongside a fellow student—a Provost Academy Leader—who excelled in that course or area prior.

Student Emergency/Meal Assistance Fund

This fund provides financial support for degree-seeking students of the University of Pittsburgh with unanticipated and insurmountable expenses related to emergency situations that may result in students facing financial hardship.

Student Emergency/Meal Assistance Fund
Woman sitting in chair in a Pitt sweatshirt.