February 19, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to let you know that Michael Bridges, Executive Director of the University Center for Teaching and Learning (UCTL) has advised me that he will be retiring from the University effective June 30, 2025. In the time ahead, I plan to name an interim executive director as we consider timing of a search for a permanent leader.
As you may recall, Mike came to Pitt in 2020, serving as the Director of the Teaching Commons and bringing more than 25 years of experience in academic strategy, faculty development, assessment, educational technology, and online learning. In that capacity, he led initiatives in teaching innovation, faculty development, consulting, course design and development, assessment, curriculum diversity, and other teaching and learning advancements. With Mike’s support and leadership, the UCTL team provided critical support for instructional continuity and emergency remote delivery during COVID; designed and developed TEACH@ Pitt; and developed faculty support and resources for gen AI and teaching
In 2023, Mike was named Executive Director of the UCTL—further working with the center’s team to keep Pitt on the cutting edge of best practices in educational information technologies, teaching and learning, and faculty professional development for faculty members and others in the Pitt community. Without doubt, his expertise in the scholarship of teaching and learning has been a guiding force behind the growth of the UCTL and its profound and ongoing contributions to the Pitt community.
Please join me in thanking Mike for his outstanding leadership and in wishing him the very best as he begins a new life chapter.
Regards,
Joe
Joseph J. McCarthy
Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor
William Kepler Whiteford Professor of Chemical Engineering
University of Pittsburgh