Distinguished Teaching

Quality of education must accompany academic choice. The University of Pittsburgh annually presents the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching, Research, and Public Service Awards to accomplished members of the University's faculty. These awards are designed to highlight exemplary teaching, research, and public service achievements. Since 1984, 142 faculty have earned this distinction. "The very existence of these awards underscores the high institutional priority that we assign to our teaching responsibilities," writes Chancellor Mark Nordenberg in letters notifying professors of their awards, "and your efforts stand as an inspiring example of excellence in the role of University teacher."

The School of Arts and Sciences also awards the Bellet Teaching Excellence Awards. To see video clips of the most recent Bellet Teaching Excellence Awards recipients, click here. To read about recipients of the 2009 Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award, click here.

Experiential Learning

Choices abound both in and out of the classroom and at Pitt we stress the importance of learning outside the classroom. Through the Office of Experiential Learning you will find endless ways to augment your academic experience through volunteer, internship and research opportunities, all available at the undergraduate level. Effective service learning is enhanced by experienced faculty direction to help students reflect on their experiences and cultivate critical academic growth.

Service Learning and Leadership

Service learning also provides field training in leadership, a quality the University strongly endorses. The School of Arts and Sciences offers a Leadership Certificate program, an interdisciplinary program open to students of any discipline who are interested in further developing their strategic planning, people management and communications skills. The certificate curriculum is flexible, allowing students to meet foundation requirements by completing general education requirements. Students later tailor the certificate to their specific interests through the Arts and Science Internship, Senior Seminar and the Emerging Leaders Program workshop.

Learning through the Arts

Through strong relationships with the cultural community in Pittsburgh, academics at Pitt is brought to life through PITT ARTS, the campus organization that connects students to the city's vibrant arts community. By participating in PITT ARTS events-which often include personal encounters and discussion with performers and artists-students learn that the arts can be a powerful social and cultural influence, not just a form of expression and entertainment. In addition to our 132 acre campus, the city is also our 'campus', and by extending the learning experience to venues for the theatre, independent film, symphony, art, opera and dance, Pitt students add a much broader element to their education making them well-rounded, global citizens as a result.

Living/Learning Communities

Working in conjunction with a number of academic departments, the Office of Residence Life offers specialized residential communities that, depending on your academic goals, can make the transition to undergraduate life even more enriching. Residing in a Living/Learning Community provides an opportunity to interact with students with similar academic and personal interests. Freshman communities are available for students in engineering, business, nursing, the Honors College, and for those with international interests.

The School of Arts and Sciences also offers Learning Communities, without a residential component, which consist of groups of 18 to 22 students with similar academic interests. By selecting seven to nine credits of thematic classes, freshmen can collaborate in a more intimate community of learners within the larger university framework. Each Learning Community has a faculty or staff member and a teaching assistant that coordinate extracurricular activities to complement the coursework.