Academic advising is central to Pitt's educational mission and to the university's commitment to student success. Over the past several years, the Office of the Provost has made a sustained institutional investment in coordinating undergraduate advising — work that has contributed to measurable improvements in student retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes.
That investment continues through an ongoing transition to a shared model of advising across the Pittsburgh campus, aligned with Pillar 1 of the Plan for Pitt. The shared model is designed to streamline the student experience, reduce gaps in support, and ensure that every undergraduate student has consistent access to high-quality advising regardless of their school or program. Learn more about this work and its progress at the Undergraduate Academic Advising Coordination page on our Student Success website.
Coordination and Support
The Student Success team in the Office of the Provost provides central administrative coordination for undergraduate advising across Pitt's colleges, schools, and campus partners. This includes:
- Delivering professional development, training, and resources for undergraduate advisors, mentors, and coaches
- Facilitating cross-institutional collaboration and sharing of best practices
- Providing student success and advising consultation services for faculty, staff, and administrator audiences
- Overseeing the Pathways platform which connects advisors and students
Professional Development and Recognition
The office invests in the professional growth of the advising community through:
- Pitt Advising Certification and Training (Pitt ACT) Program — a structured certification pathway for undergraduate advising professionals at Pitt
- Annual Mentoring and Advising Summit — a convening for advisors, mentors, and coaches to share knowledge and strengthen practice
- Provost's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Student Success — annual recognition honoring individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to undergraduate student success at Pitt
Student-Facing Resources
Undergraduate students can access advising and mentoring support through the channels outlined at University Undergraduate Advising, the Student Success Hub, and a suite of platforms and programs detailed on the Undergraduate Studies website, including academic coaching, exploratory and transitional advising, and Pitt Commons.