The Plan for Pitt: Advance Educational Excellence

Kathy Monangai portrait, standing in front of pharmacy building at Pitt
Kathy Monangai may not have wanted to become a pharmacist upon enrolling at the University of Pittsburgh, but since switching to Pitt’s School of Pharmacy, she has been carving a path of leadership excellence and was recently elected as the Student National Pharmaceutical Association’s national vice president. Monangai said she wants to help children in a pharmaceutical setting as a professional.
The 2019–20 academic year marks the inauguration of new majors, innovative online offerings and collaborations among different schools across the University of Pittsburgh. Highlights include programs in engineering, arts and sciences, computing and many others.
headshots of Molly Brandenburg and Joseph Valdacanas
According to the U.S. Department of Education, about a third of undergraduate students change their major at least once by their third year of enrollment. So, what’s the catalyst for these major changes? At Pitt, many students find themselves developing a newfound passion by surprise — while taking one of their general education requirements.
Male and female researcher in lab, studying container of liquid and green objects using a camera mounted and pointing down toward the container
The University of Pittsburgh is ranked among the nation’s top 20 public colleges and universities in the 2020 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. Pitt is ranked 18th with Florida State, Penn State and Purdue universities after being No. 26 in the magazine’s previous ranking.
Pitt alumnus Chris Taylor in plaid shirt, using a pastry bag to finish work on a peanut butter checkerboard pie
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention epidemiologist and Pitt Graduate School of Public Health alumnus Chris Taylor baked his way to first place — and a book deal — after taking his hobby to the next level.
Two students push a housing cart on move-in day
The latest additions to the Pitt community — its new undergraduate, graduate and professional students — are just about to infuse campus with their ideas, enthusiasm and determination to meet their highest goals.
a head shot of the researcher
As a scientist at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Mining Program, Lauren Chubb (A&S ’10, GSPH ’13, ’16) has developed on-the-spot air analysis software to help keep miners safe.