\n\tBy SARAH McMULLEN<\/p>\n
\n\tProfessional development for staff is at the core of Staff Council\u2019s mission, and we believe it\u2019s important to always be curious and grow.<\/p>\n
\n\tFor the past decade, Staff Council has championed staff professional development, offering opportunities through the Frisch Staff Professional Development Award<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tOver the life of the award, Staff Council has invested more than $7,700 in the futures of 19 staff members who pursued degrees and professional certifications, attended conferences and workshops, and completed trainings in the pursuit of advancement and personal growth.<\/p>\n \n\tNominations are now open for the 2026 Frisch Staff Professional Development Award!<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tApplications will be accepted through July\u00a013, 2026.<\/p>\n \n\tWe look forward to supporting your personal and professional growth!<\/p>\n \tThe history of the award<\/p>\n \n\tThe Frisch Staff Professional Development Award, named in honor of former Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resource Ronald W. Frisch<\/a>, supports eligible Pitt staff members by defraying the costs of approved professional development opportunities that directly contribute to the staff member\u2019s career advancement and professional growth within Pitt.<\/p>\n \n\tView the list of past recipients<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tThis award is funded through the generosity of community members. We appreciate and celebrate our donors as partners in sustaining and expanding professional development opportunities for staff.<\/p>\n \n\tStaff Council is especially grateful for the 43 donors who participated in the 2026 Pitt Day of Giving, contributing more than $2,400 to the fund!<\/p>\n \n\tTo give a gift to support the Frisch Staff Professional Development Fund, please email sc@pitt.edu<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n \tHow to apply<\/p>\n \n\tCriteria<\/p>\n \n\tThe 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\u2019s career advancement and professional growth within Pitt. Potential uses of the award include, but are not limited to:<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tUniversity of Pittsburgh tuition<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tAttendance at professional conferences<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tParticipation in workshops, courses, or obtaining credit<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tTraining sessions beneficial to professional growth<\/p>\n \n\tRecipients 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.<\/p>\n \n\tEligibility<\/p>\n \n\tApplicants must be benefits-eligible, 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.<\/p>\n \n\tIndividuals currently under a performance improvement plan or who previously received the award within the last five years are ineligible.<\/p>\n \n\tCurrent officers of the Staff Council are not eligible to apply.<\/p>\n \n\tApplications will be facilitated through an electronic form accessible via a provided link. Applicants can request awards up to but not exceeding $1,000.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tApplication deadline is Monday, July 13, 2026<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tCommittee review begins on July 20<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tWinner(s) selected and notified week of Aug. 10<\/p>\n \n\tVisit the Staff Council website to apply<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tSelection process and disbursement\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tA committee consisting of rotating Staff Council members.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tAfter undergoing a review process, recipients will receive notification in August. Upon accepting the award, recipients are required to submit a testimonial.<\/p>\n \n\tQuestions?<\/p>\n \n\tPlease email sc@pitt.edu<\/a> with any questions on applying for this award.<\/p>\n \n\t\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tStaff Council serves as a center for input and dissemination of information, provides a means of communication between staff and other members of the Pitt community, and provides opportunities for professional development.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tStaff Council has historically represented the interests of Pitt staff not covered under a collective bargaining agreement and continues to participate in shared governance on campus to advocate for the interests of staff members on issues not addressed by collective bargaining. Additionally, the Council continues its mission to advocate for unrepresented staff members.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tStay Informed with the Staff Council Newsletter: View past issues and subscribe<\/a>\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\tStay Connected:\u202f\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tInstagram: @upstaffcouncil\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tFacebook: @upstaffcouncil\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tLinkedIn: Pitt Staff Council\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n