A Message
from the Dean

Our highest purpose is to prepare students for the future—to help them discover what’s possible and equip them to pursue those opportunities.

Not simply to graduate students ready for a particular job, but to develop professionals who can learn, adapt, and grow in every dimension throughout their careers.

This purpose is the foundation for our vision of becoming a preeminent business school—renowned for developing future-ready leaders, producing breakthrough research, and delivering innovative, high-impact programs.

Rooted in the strength of our world-class faculty, a collaborative and supportive community, Pittsburgh’s resilient business landscape, and the University’s interdisciplinary excellence, we’ve embarked on a bold, forward-looking plan to prepare the professionals business needs today—and the visionary leaders the world will need tomorrow. Over the past year, we’ve launched innovative academic programs, strengthened our research enterprise, expanded industry partnerships, and adopted a new formal name. Together, these milestones lay the groundwork for even deeper transformation in the years ahead.

In this edition of Pitt Business magazine, you will discover highlights of our latest program innovations, strategic industry collaborations, and faculty thought leadership. You’ll also gain insight into the powerful learning experiences available to our students—and how alumni engagement and philanthropy are making a direct and lasting impact on their success.

As we build on this momentum, the year ahead will be pivotal. We will continue to make disciplined, strategic choices—guided by urgency, opportunity, and alignment with our mission.

We will launch newly approved offerings, including a new AI and Business certificate and an innovative MS Biotech/MBA dual degree. We will host the next series of Pitt Business Impact Conferences to deepen our ties with the business community. In parallel, the Industry Advisory Council will help shape initiatives to further enhance our graduates’ career readiness. We will also unveil our new formal name and brand identity—and launch a robust marketing campaign to amplify them.

Our new name—University of Pittsburgh School of Business—provides a unified, distinctive identity that leverages the growing strength of the University’s brand. At the same time, we will continue to honor the legacy of our graduate programs’ generous benefactor, Joseph M. Katz. One way we did this was by hosting Joseph M. Katz Day in September. This celebrated his entrepreneurial spirit and enduring impact, and strengthened our connections with the Katz family and supporters like you.

Just as our students must be prepared to learn and adapt, so too must the faculty and staff who guide and support them. With this in mind, we’ve launched an

AI Literacy Initiative to empower our faculty and staff with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to understand, engage with, and responsibly apply AI in their work. By strengthening our collective capacity in research, teaching, operations, and student services, we aim to ensure that Pitt Business remains excellent, student-centered, and tech-enabled—delivering the education and support our students deserve.

Ultimately, our ability to achieve the aspirations we hold for our students and community depends on the generous and ongoing support of alumni, parents, and partners. Please consider investing with us in the professionals business needs today, and the leaders the world will need tomorrow. Every gift of time, talent, or treasure makes a meaningful difference. On behalf of all our faculty and staff, thank you to those who have already stepped forward.