News

IMPACT Seeks to Build Networks for Faculty of Color

The Provost’s Office is hoping to have an impact on new faculty of color with its new program, IMPACT — Institutional Mentoring Program Across a Community of Color.

At a kickoff to the program two days after the tragedy at Tree of Life Congregation in Squirrel Hill, Provost Ann Cudd said, “The timing of this launch could not be more bittersweet.

“In this sad week for our city, the forging of community and connection, of unity in pursuit of excellence through diversity could not be more important for our collective future.”

Personalized Education Taking Many Paths at Pitt

Personalized education is a buzzword these days at universities, and Pitt is giving it more than lip service, with several initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of each student individually.

The recently announced mentoring platform, Pitt Commons, is “one of the two or three most visible elements,” said Nathan Urban, vice provost for Graduate Studies and Strategic Initiatives.

Continue reading the University Times article »

Pitt Using Analytics to Advance the Higher Ed Experience

For faculty and staff dedicated to student success — helping with everything from assisting with complex financial aid questions to simply advising which classes to choose — new ways to approach the challenge are on the horizon.

Are student evaluations the best measure of teacher effectiveness?

Provost Ann Cudd told members of Faculty Assembly on Oct. 30 that she was looking into how student evaluations are used, especially as to how they relate to the University’s promotion and tenure process. Read "Are student evaluations the best measure of teacher effectiveness?" in University Times »

Town hall meeting addresses how a union would impact the Pitt community

Faculty, staff and students gathered in the Frick Fine Arts building auditorium to listen to a panel of Union of Pitt Faculty representatives explain how a union would impact the Pitt community. Read "Town hall meeting addresses how a union would impact the Pitt community" in University Times »

Pitt updates rules to comply with National Science Foundation crackdown on harassment

As of Oct. 21, any institution receiving money from the National Science Foundation will have to adhere to new rules on harassment in the workplace that could result in loss of funding. Read "Pitt updates rules to comply with National Science Foundation crackdown on harassment" in University Times »

Pitt Day of Caring brings faculty and staff out into the community

At Peoples Oakland, work focused on clean up inside and out of the recovery and wellness center. From left are Vice Chancellor for Community and Governmental Relations Paul Supowitz; Senior Vice Chancellor and Provost Ann Cudd; Austin Thieret, Shawn Ellies, Carmen Ciorra, Wayne Hawking, Roy Charlton and Wayne Lutheran from Facilities Management; Chancellor Patrick Gallagher; Patty Himelright, Facilities Management; and Peoples Oakland Executive Director Sandy Phillips. Front and center is Phillips’ dog Kathryn.

Day of Caring 'Drives Our Mission of Outreach'

Provost to Give Horowitz Memorial Lecture in Philosophy

Provost Ann E. Cudd will return to her roots as a student and professor of philosophy when she gives the Pitt Philosophy Department’s annual Tamara Horowitz Memorial Lecture on Oct. 19.

Cudd, who was named Pitt’s provost this summer, was most recently professor of philosophy and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University. She received her PhD in philosophy in 1988 from Pitt, and was a former student of Tamara Horowitz, who taught at Pitt from 1985 until her death in 2000.

Dashboard Shows Global Engagement Through Easy-to-Use Data

With the Year of PittGlobal providing a special focus on Pitt’s international partnerships and research, it’s important for University stakeholders to have access to information documenting these many activities.