The Office of the Provost is committed to ensuring that every student at Pitt has a genuine opportunity to succeed — academically, personally, and beyond graduation.
We have made a sustained and coordinated investment in building programs, spaces, opportunities, and support systems designed to meet students where they are and remove obstacles in their path. As outlined in the core values of the Plan for Pitt's Pillar 2 (We will cultivate student success) and Pillar 3 (We will be welcoming and engaged), that investment is reflected in measurable improvements in retention, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes.
A Coordinated Approach
The Student Success team in the Office of the Provost provides central coordination for undergraduate student success efforts across the University. The team's work is both direct — delivering programs and resources to students — and systemic, supporting the advisors, mentors, and coaches who work with students every day. This includes providing consultation services for faculty, staff, and administrators, and grounding the University's approach in current research on student belonging and its relationship to academic outcomes.
Programs and Initiatives
The office has developed and supports a suite of programs designed to serve students who face potential barriers to success, including:
- Provost Academy — An immersive pre-arrival experience that helps incoming students build academic skills, establish community, and arrive on campus prepared for success in their first year
- Student Success Hub — A dedicated physical space on campus that serves as a home base for student support programs, collaborative work, on-demand academic coaching, and community-building
- First at Pitt Mentoring Program — Connects current first-generation Pitt students with first-generation Pitt alumni for mentorship, guidance, and honest conversation about navigating university life
- Kessler Scholars Program — Provides four years of holistic academic, financial, and social support to exceptional first-generation college students, combining tailored educational experiences with a close-knit scholarly community
- Pitt PRSSIM Project (Partners for Rural Student Success Impact & Mobility) — A targeted initiative addressing the distinctive challenges faced by rural students transitioning to and through higher education, with a focus on access, persistence, and mobility
Student Success Newsletter and Resources
We publish a monthly Student Success Newsletter keeping the Pitt undergraduate community informed about workshops, events, academic calendar dates, and resources. A curated collection of student success resources and the Student Academic Success Series professional development workshops offer additional ongoing support for students throughout the academic year.
Explore Student Success at Pitt
For the full range of student success programs, resources, and opportunities, visit the Student Success website, geared toward University advisors, mentors, and coaches, and the Undergraduate Studies website, designed for students.