Pitt Named to President’s Honor Roll for Community Service

For the second consecutive year, the University of Pittsburgh has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which recognizes colleges and universities nationwide that play an important role in their communities. The designation for 2014 was announced Dec. 8 by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that coordinates service programs and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. 

Pitt was selected for the honor roll in all three categories for which it was considered: General Community Service, Economic Opportunity, and Education. Pitt is the only institution in the Pittsburgh area to have been honored in three of the four categories and is the sole representative of the Western Pennsylvania region in the category of Economic Opportunity. 

“This honor not only recognizes Pitt’s multiple roles in improving the quality of life for Western Pennsylvania, but it recognizes the University’s excellence in doing so,” said Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher. “It affirms the value to all involved of partnerships with the local community and government agencies. I am delighted that Pitt, and its people, have been acknowledged for their outstanding efforts.”

During the 2013-2014 year, more than 17,000 Pitt faculty, staff, and students volunteered 450,000 hours in the community. Hundreds of service opportunities and community partnerships are offered at Pitt, including the following:

Community Leisure-Learn Program, a community outreach and service-learning program that provides fitness and wellness activities at campus recreational and athletic facilities.

Pitt Make A Difference Day and Pitt United Way Day of Caring, the University’s two signature days of community service.

Ready Freddy Program, created by Pitt’s Office of Child Development in collaboration with Pittsburgh Public Schools and the United Way of Allegheny County to engage parents and community partners in preparing children in low-income urban communities for kindergarten.

Jumpstart, a program that connects Pitt students with preschool children from low-income communities to help the children develop literacy skills.

INVESTING NOW, a college preparatory program for students from groups that are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors and careers.

Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, an entity within the University’s Innovation Institute that helps entrepreneurial business leaders in the region. In 2013, it served more than 900 businesses and 667 clients, resulting in 47 start-up businesses being created, 443 jobs created or impacted, and $13.3 million raised in capital. 

Manufacturing Assistance Center, a center in the Swanson School of Engineering that assists regional manufacturers in gaining a competitive advantage in the global economy via the use of advanced technology and offers training for individuals seeking careers in manufacturing.

CONNECT, an organization formed within Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs that promotes cooperation between the City of Pittsburgh and neighboring municipalities. It develops and enhances ways in which they work together to deliver public services and maintains a forum for maximizing economic prosperity in Western Pennsylvania.

“This honor is a recognition of the ongoing commitment the University has to the Oakland community, City of Pittsburgh, and Western Pennsylvania,” said John Wilds, assistant vice chancellor of community relations. “Pitt’s dedication to our region is clearly apparent.”