October 10, 2019
Dear Colleagues,
Today we will be announcing the launch of a research center to examine how political institutions, markets, and technology impact human well-being in the United States and around the world. The Center for Governance and Markets will build upon the existing teaching and research of faculty members Jennifer Murtazashvili, Ilia Murtazashvili and Martin B.H. Weiss.
October 7, 2019
Dear Colleagues,
The Plan for Pitt calls for us to continue to seek out innovative ways to increase the impact of the excellent research happening across the University. This year, the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Research have collaborated to find ways to both enhance and streamline internal funding opportunities while continuing to support high-quality research, scholarship, and creative endeavors.
September 13, 2019
Dear Colleagues,
Over the course of the last year, as I’ve established my priorities as Provost, the area of data science has emerged as one that is central the University’s forward progress. From scientific and mathematical discoveries through computation and pattern recognition, to the visualization and analysis of demographic and linguistic data, and the analysis of texts and images, the continuing expansion of digital data and our ability to store, retrieve, and analyze it is bringing about an epistemological revolution.
Dear Colleagues,
John T.S. Keeler has served as dean of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) and as a valued member of the Council of Deans since 2007. It is with deep appreciation for all he has brought to GSPIA and to the University community that I write to share that John has announced his decision to step down as dean, effective June 30, 2020.
June 24, 2019
Dear Colleagues,
When I first came to the University as Provost nearly a year ago, I set diversity and inclusion as key priorities for our work ahead.
It’s clear that demographics in Pittsburgh and in the United States as a whole are shifting—and it’s equally clear that it is critically important that the University of Pittsburgh community and our educational offerings reflect those changes.
I am pleased to announce a significant new initiative that will assist us as we move that agenda forward.
May 31, 2019
Dear Colleagues,
I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Audrey J. Murrell as the Acting Dean of the University Honors College effective June 17, 2019.
May 1, 2019
Dear Colleagues,
As you know, after more than a decade of influential leadership, Sharon Smith last year announced her intention to retire. In planning for the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg's new chapter, we conducted a national search to identify her successor.
Today, I am delighted to announce that Dr. Robert G. Gregerson has been named President of Pitt-Greensburg, effective July 1, 2019. He will also join the faculty as a full professor in the Division of Natural Sciences at Greensburg.
April 30, 2019
Dear Colleagues,
I am delighted to announce that 2019–20 will be the Year of Creativity at the University of Pittsburgh. Creativity unites all of the University’s intellectual and artistic endeavors, from neuroscience to sculpture, from legal scholarship to computer science, from music to pharmacogenomics. No single virtue better describes what humans do best than creativity. I look forward to a year devoted to encouraging the creative spark in all of us.
April 1, 2019
Dear Colleagues,
As you know, we have been conducting a national search to identify an outstanding educational leader to serve as President of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville. This has been a transitional time for both campuses and I am very grateful for the leadership that Larry Feick has provided during this academic year. He has provided excellent continuity and a forward trajectory since Livingston Alexander retired.
November 19, 2018
As an outgrowth of initial discussions two years ago, Admissions and Financial Aid and Student Life have been reexamining, with the guidance of a task force working with Vice Provosts Marc Harding and Kenyon Bonner, the framework and delivery for onboarding new undergraduates—from the approach to academic orientation to the transition to campus life. I am pleased to share that I have approved the task force’s recommendations, including the establishment of the Office of New Student Programs to oversee:
