Writing Portfolio

Collegiate Recovery a Focus at Pitt

Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRP’s) have become increasingly prominent across college campuses in the United States over the past ten years. They serve as a way for students recovering from substance abuse to come together and find the resources that they need to achieve their personal and academic goals. According to new Pitt CRP Coordinator Jenny Huff, the Collegiate Recovery Program “initiates connections with students to show that they aren’t alone, and that there is somebody in their corner to help them maneuver and navigate these really big challenges"... Read more!

A Student Perspective: What To Do Over Break

Group projects coming to an end, final papers due, exams approaching… yep, it’s finals season. This time of year can be tough, but every semester we seem to get through it. Although it feels far away now, winter break will be here before we know it. Here are 6 ways to recover from finals and make the most out of your time off... Read more!

Student Leader Develops Service Box That Hits Close to Home

Many people are brought to service through personal challenges they’ve dealt with or witnessed firsthand. As a member of the Student Civic Engagement Council (SCEC), junior Dylan Sloat was tasked with developing a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Service Box. He didn’t have to look far for inspiration. Dylan’s mom, Amy, recently began chemotherapy treatment. As a social worker, she always instilled the value of service in Dylan’s life. Dylan decided to develop a DIY box for headwraps. Amy recalls her initial reaction to the project; “He actually came up with the idea completely on his own. I was just so touched that he thought about making something that would be so helpful to patients, but something that was so close to home for us”... Read more!

How One Student Connects Pitt to Oakland and Beyond

Moving to a different city presents the exciting challenge of immersing yourself into a new place. Starting at Pitt as a first-year student from Chicago, Eric Chiu was determined to discover Pittsburgh and its distinctive neighborhoods. Eric was first introduced to PittServes on Pitt Make A Difference Day (PMADD). He wondered how he could get more involved. He wanted to be like the PMADD project leaders. Shortly after PMADD, Eric discovered the Service Leadership Committee (SLC). This is where he began his PittServes journey the following year. SLC is a subgroup of the Student Civic Engagement Council (SCEC) that plans and participates in monthly service projects and serves as the project leaders during Signature Days of Service. SCEC is a group of eight students that PittServes Assistant Director, Shenay Jeffrey often describes as the office’s “right hand.” Eric recalls his early experiences as a member of the committee, “It was awesome to just sign up and work somewhere with a bunch of different people and explore the city, because if I wasn’t involved with this I wouldn’t have an intention to go into these communities.” Once he took on the role of SLC Co-Head he began closely interacting with students on the SCEC, which led him to apply to serve on the Council and obtain the position that he holds today... Read more!