Our people are the foundation of all we make possible here at Pitt. We are proud of you and everything you accomplish, so we’re providing some tools to help recognize your achievements and milestones.
Celebrating Our Employees
This hub results from our efforts to invest in building a stronger culture of employee recognition throughout our university community, linked directly to the Plan for Pitt 2028 strategic goal of being welcoming and engaging, and an employer of choice.
It serves as a resource for spreading awareness of all University-wide recognition initiatives and for providing tools for individual employees, as well as schools, units and departments, in facilitating their own recognition for individuals or teams. If you’re aware of resources we should include, please let us know.
This is just the start of great things to come! This section will continue to evolve and grow to meet the recognition needs of our entire campus community.
University-wide Recognition Programs
Pitt offers multiple University-wide recognition programs for which you can nominate deserving co-workers, when applicable:
- Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Awards for Staff (Annual, All Campuses)
The Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Awards for Staff are the highest award the University of Pittsburgh grants to full-time and part-time, classified and union-eligible staff members in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the University or their community. Nominations are accepted every fall.
- Provost’s Awards (Faculty and Staff, Annual, All Campuses)
Each year, the Office of the Provost is pleased to recognize individuals who demonstrate educational excellence in areas such as mentoring, diversity in the curriculum, and innovation in education. Nominations are accepted December through January.
- Learn more about the Provost’s Awards
- Chancellor’s Staff (service) Recognition Ceremony (Annual, All Campuses)
Recognizing your many years of dedicated service is one way we say “thanks!” We do so for staff every time you reach significant milestone anniversaries in your service to Pitt. This year’s recognition ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
- Chancellor’s Staff and Faculty Appreciation Picnic (Annual)
During the summer, the chancellor invites staff and faculty to gather to celebrate the year’s successes and one another. This year’s event was held on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Posvar Patio and Schenley Drive.
- Silhouettes Profiles - Through the Pitt News (Faculty and Staff, Annual, All Campuses, Annual every spring)
The Pitt News selects a variety of people in the Pitt community to recognize with profiles in its Silhouettes series.
- Pitt Sustainability Awards (Faculty and Staff, Annual, All Campuses, Nominations in February)
The Pitt Sustainability Awards recognize Pitt faculty, staff, students and groups who are making an extraordinary impact on campus sustainability.
- Learn more about the Sustainability Awards
- Additional Faculty Awards (Annual, All Campuses)
Additional opportunities to recognize the efforts and achievements of faculty, including the Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards, are described on the Faculty Awards & Recognition page.
- Staff Council Awards (Annual, All Campuses)
Staff Council continues to serve staff members with support and offer recognition for their commitment to professionalism here at the University. Staff Council’s awards, presented at the annual Staff Recognition Ceremony, include:
- The Staff Council Endowed Book Fund (Note: This award is for students who have a staff parent.)
- The Staff Council Mentor Awards (spring nominations)
- The Frisch Staff Professional Development Awards
- Pitt Alumni Awards (Alumni Employees, Annual, All Campuses, Nominations in spring)
Each year, the Pitt Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni for their personal and professional accomplishments as well as for their outstanding service to the University and the Pitt Alumni Association. Employees who are also Pitt Alumni may qualify for these awards. These awards include:
- Distinguished Alumni Fellows
- Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award
- Bill Baierl Distinguished Alumni Service Award
- Ivan and Mary Novick Award for Young Alumni Leadership
- ROC Spirit Award
- Volunteer Excellence Award
- Learn more and meet past Pitt Alumni awardees
- Community Engaged Scholarship Forum Awards (Faculty and Staff, Annual, All Campuses, Nominations in spring)
Each year at the Community Engaged Scholarship Forum, Pitt elevates and reflects on collective approaches to community-engaged scholarship at the University by providing an opportunity for faculty, staff and community members to present their community-engaged work, discover new avenues of partnership and network with those who do similar work.
The forum also celebrates students, faculty and staff who have significantly impacted their communities through awards and honors of incredible distinction. These awards include:
- Partnerships of Distinction awards
- Tracy Soska and John Wilds Outreach and Engagement Leadership Award
- CESF Collaboration Champion Award
- Learn more about the Community Engaged Scholarship Forum Awards
