The University of Pittsburgh Staff Council supports Pitt staff members' goal to enhance their professional and personal engagement at the University by pursuing professional development opportunities. The Frisch Staff Professional Development Award is designed to assist eligible Pitt staff members in covering expenses related to approved professional development endeavors determined to benefit the staff member’s career and advancement within the university.
2024 Criteria
The Frisch Professional Development Award is available to eligible Pitt staff members to defray the costs of approved professional development opportunities that directly contribute to the staff member’s career advancement and professional growth within Pitt. Potential uses of the award include, but are not limited to:
- University of Pittsburgh tuition
- Attendance at professional conferences
- Participation in workshops, courses, or obtaining credit
- Training sessions beneficial to professional growth
Recipients of the award must use it within one year of receiving it. Awards cannot apply to organizational memberships, subscription fees, parking expenses, or ancillary charges. Awards are non-transferable.
Eligibility
Applicants must be benefits-eligible, non-union, part-time, or full-time professional employees across any of the University of Pittsburgh's five campuses. Applicants must have maintained continuous employment with the University of Pittsburgh for at least one year and secure supervisor approval as part of their application process. Individuals currently under a performance improvement plan or who previously received the award within the last three years are ineligible. The award's eligibility extends to full-time and part-time staff members across all five Pitt campuses.
Current officers of the Staff Council are not eligible to apply.
Applications
Applications will be facilitated through an electronic form accessible via a provided link. Applicants can request awards up to but not exceeding $1,000.
- Application closes on Friday April 26
- Committee review begins on May 1
- The winner(s) will be selected and notified the week of May 15.
- Recipients will be presented at the annual Staff Recognition Ceremony in June (exact date TBD)
Selection Process and Disbursement
- A committee consisting of rotating Staff Council members and a representative(s) from the regional campuses.
- After undergoing a review process, recipients will receive notication and be honored at the Chancellor’s Staff Award Recognition Ceremony on Monday, June 24 at 2:00 p.m. in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room, with a reception following in the Lower Lounge. We strongly encourage award recipients to attend. Upon accepting the award, recipients are required to submit a testimonial.
For a list of former winners, please navigate to award winners page.