Welcome to the Dietrich School's New Faculty Orientation Marketplace! This virtual hub is designed to connect new faculty with the wide range of resources, services, and support available across the University of Pittsburgh. From wellness and benefits to research support, teaching innovation, student engagement, and more, each unit featured here plays a vital role in helping you navigate your first year and beyond. Whether you’re looking for guidance on classroom accessibility, curious about research funding opportunities, or simply trying to figure out where to get your flu shot, this Marketplace is your starting point for building a successful and supported journey at Pitt.
1.VAC Center
The Pitt Vaccination and Health Connection Hub is a vaccine and wellness resource open to the public. The Hub provides all vaccines, including seasonal vaccines like flu and COVID, routine vaccines like chicken pox, RSV, and Shingles, all travel vaccines, and the mpox vaccine. We also provide free Wellness Screenings to Pitt employees with UPMC insurance through Pitt.
The Hub provides service in a warm, welcoming environment. We are here to answer questions about vaccines and get people connected to health care by combining best practices, patient education, continuous learning, and process improvement.
Walk-ins are welcome subject to availability. Appointments are preferred. We are located at 4041 Fifth Avenue next to Soldiers and Sailors garage and on multiple bus lines. If you have questions, please feel free to call 412-383- 4372 or email TheHub@pitt.edu.
2.Disability Resources and Services
What does the accommodation request process look like and how do I initiate a request for workplace accommodations?
How can I create a learning environment that is more welcoming and supportive for students with disabilities?
Disability Resources and Services (DRS) is the designated department at the University for determining reasonable accommodations and services, under the provisions set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act. DRS works with faculty and staff regarding workplace accommodations, in addition to working with students on disability related accommodation requests related to academics, dining, and housing.
For additional information, please reach out to DRS at (412)648-7890 or drsrecep@pitt.edu
3.Ombuds Office
Who can I contact for assistance with conflicts and guidance with navigating university and school policies and resources?
The Ombuds Office provides a safe, welcoming, confidential and unbiased setting for faculty, staff, graduate students and post-docs within the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and College of General Studies to discuss concerns, connect with resources and explore options for mediation and conflict resolution. Individuals may contact us to discuss difficulties that have been unresolved elsewhere or to discuss new issues. Individuals are encouraged to contact our office at the earliest stages of an issue or grievance so that we can assist before escalation occurs.
Contact the office:
www.as.pitt.edu/ombuds - choose Request a Consultation. You can also reach the office by email: lisalang@asombuds.pitt.edu.
4.University Counseling Center
What is the process of a student connecting to University Counseling Center services?
The University Counseling Center strives to create an inclusive space and provide high quality clinical, outreach and on-demand services that support the emotional well-being of Pitt’s diverse student body.
Contact Information: Faculty can contact the University Counseling Center with questions by calling 412-648-7940.
5.Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing
What resources or opportunities are available through the Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing and Pitt Community Groups to help me foster a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment?
The Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing is committed to fostering a welcoming and engaged campus environment where all members of the Pitt community can thrive. Our Pitt Communities—faculty and staff affinity groups—offer space for connection, support, and shared purpose across a range of identities, lived experiences, and professional interests. These groups help advance belonging and institutional wellbeing by strengthening relationships and promoting inclusive engagement. All are welcome to participate. To get involved or learn more about starting a new group, contact us wellbeing@pitt.edu.
6.Life Solutions
Is there a limit to how many times I can call LifeSolutions for help?
LifeSolutions is the University of Pittsburgh's Faculty and Staff Assistance Program that provides a broad range of services to assist University employees and their household members to balance work and the stresses of daily life. LifeSolutions offers personalized care services, 24-hour support, online resources and tools, and more, all at no cost to you.
7.Wellness for Life
What is the fastest way to start earning points to get the dollars loaded onto my debit card?
Faculty and staff can participate in the Wellness Incentives program by earning Reward Dollars for every healthy activity you complete. Participants with UPMC Health Plan coverage can earn rewards for completing activities such as the MyHealth Questionnaire, biometric screenings, preventive care services, and more.
8.TIAA
How much should I be saving? Am I on track for my retirement goals? Should I save via Pre Tax or Roth?
We will be having two financial consultants who work out of the Pittsburgh office meet with employees regarding their financial goals, questions and accounts. Employees can connect with financial consultants directly: Retirement Savings for Current Employees | Human Resources | University of Pittsburgh
9.Office of Human Resources – Benefits Department & UPMC
Q: What benefits am I eligible for through the University?
A: Benefit eligibility is based on employment type, full-time equivalence (FTE), etc. and can be found on the Health and Wellness page of the OHR website.
The Benefits Department oversees the administration of Health & Wellness benefits for our active faculty, staff and student populations as well as University retirees. We also administer Leaves of Absence and Retirement Savings as well as offer a variety of voluntary benefits through our third-party vendors. Anyone interested in contacting the Benefits team can submit an online inquiry or call 833-852-2210.
10.Panther Central
Panther Central is your go-to place for all the essentials of daily living, from transportation to housing to good meals.
Have questions about a contract, need a bus home, or are locked out of your room at 3 a.m.? Panther Central can help you.
We are dedicated to providing friendly and courteous, 24/7 service to current and prospective students, faculty, and staff.
Have a question or want to say hello? Contact us or view our staff list.
11.Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
What are the four units within the OIE and what does each do? What programming/funding opportunities are available through your office? What types of technologies does your office assist with?
Dept/Unit Description: The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) is composed of four operating units charged with inspiring and enabling innovators, both within the university and throughout Western Pennsylvania, to explore the commercial potential of their research or ideas. It is also responsible for connecting Pitt innovators with partners, both within the university and externally, to achieve societal impact and economic development.
12.Sponsored Projects Administration
How do I submit grant proposals to external funding agencies?
The Sponsored Projects Administration group manages external research funding from federal agencies, private foundations, and corporate sponsors. They are available to assist with grant writing and proposal preparation, account management and funding projections, and all other aspects of grants administration. The best way to get in touch is through our website, which includes a page with the pre- and post-award contacts for all departments in the School.
Sponsored Projects | Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences | University of Pittsburgh
13.University Library System
How can the library help with my instruction and research?
The mission of the University Library System (ULS) is to advance the University’s strategic priorities by direct engagement in the enterprise of knowledge creation, teaching, and learning on our campuses and beyond. Through our deep expertise, rich information resources, inviting facilities, and innovative services, we catalyze partnerships and inspire intellectual discovery, critical thinking, creative expression, the free flow of ideas, and the worldwide progress of knowledge. Please connect with us at https://library.pitt.edu/ask-us.
14.Study Lab
When should I refer a student to Study Lab?
At Study Lab, we provide tools and resources for students to discover the most efficient and effective ways to study. We offer individual academic coaching by professional staff, peer tutoring for a variety of subjects and peer-led collaborative learning groups (Co-Lab) for General Chemistry students.
Contact: study.lab@pitt.edu
15.Honors College
How can I engage with the Frederick Honors College to provide honors students with enhanced opportunities which can also build my CV?
The David C. Frederick Honors College provides students with individualized opportunities, academic challenges, and an extensive network of driven peers and world-class faculty mentors. Through a diverse portfolio of formal and informal programs, the Frederick Honors College cultivates and enhances interdisciplinary research and collaborations, supports student engagement, and offers personalized educational experiences locally and globally. For more information, contact David Hornyak (hornyak@pitt.edu).
16.Center for Teaching and Learning
How can I enhance or innovate in my teaching?
The Teaching Center’s Office of Measurement and Evaluation of Teaching (OMET) works with faculty to collect and analyze valuable student feedback through pre-, mid-, and end-of-term surveys and can assist units with reviewing their overall teaching and course survey processes.
The Pedagogy, Practice, and Assessment unit of the Teaching Center supports instructors and departments in improving or innovating teaching. We provide consultations, confidential observations, curated resources, support for teaching grants and research, and events ranging from workshops to faculty learning communities.
17.Office of Undergraduate Research
How do faculty support undergraduate student researchers at the University of Pittsburgh?
The Dietrich School’s Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (OUR) supports connections between faculty members and first through final term undergraduates in CGS and DSAS. OUR offers numerous points of contact between students and faculty including the First Experiences in Research (FE-R) program for faculty mentored research in the spring term; the 1-credit First Approaches to Research (FA-R) course in fall and spring terms; and the Summer Undergraduate Research Awards (SURA) program designed to support students conducting independently-designed, faculty mentored research over the 12-week summer term. Additionally, OUR’s team of Undergraduate Mentors offers individual and small group meetings to support students, and OUR’s team of student designers and editors publish the interdisciplinary journal, Forbes & Fifth in the fall and spring terms.
Faculty may contact OUR by emailing our@pitt.edu.
18.Shared Research Support Services
How do people submit jobs to the machine or electronics shops?
Shared Research Support Services are a centralized, shared resource structure of 12 University laboratories, stockrooms, and shops. Our professional staff supports Dietrich School faculty members and your research groups by providing access to techniques, technologies, and services that enable you to further your research with cutting-edge instrumentation and scientific services.
The best way to get in touch with us is through our website: https://www.researchservices.pitt.edu/
19.Pitt Research Concierge Program
What services and resources do you offer to faculty, and do you charge for these services?
Description of your department/unit: The Concierge Program helps faculty and research-related staff navigate Pitt’s research resources from pre-award through award close-out, expands research development services, and creates new services and tools to strengthen the competitiveness of external funding proposals and support award management.
20.Office of Sustainability
Are there resources to help faculty incorporate sustainability content in their syllabi, or sustainable operations in the classroom?
The Office of Sustainability works to advance campus-wide sustainability goals set out in the Pitt Sustainability Plan and Pitt Climate Action Plan, including supporting sustainability in research and academics, in our community and culture, and in campus operations.