Chenits Pettigrew received an Education Vanguard Award

Chenits Pettigrew (EDUC ’76G) received the 2026 Education Vanguard Award from NEED, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit college access program providing scholarships, grants and mentoring to underrepresented, low-income youth.

Marcia Sturdivant, president and CEO of NEED, said the association dean for student engagement and enrichment is an authentic example of supporting aspiring students to achieve their goals

“Dr. Pettigrew’s professional and personal legacy of community contributions have boldly reinforced the commitment to educational equity and empowerment, ensuring that aspiring students of all backgrounds receive the resources and guidance needed to thrive,” she said.

Pettigrew received a political science degree from Westminster College, a Master of Education from the University of Pittsburgh and PhD in education from Pepperdine University. In 2011, the Dr. Chenits Pettigrew Jr. Fund for Diversity Affairs in the School of Medicine was established in his honor.