2-1-23

STUDENTS WRITE LETTER TO PROVOST CUDD, DEAN BLEE URGING PITT TO KEEP ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE OPEN

Punya Bhasin News Editor

Pitt’s announcement that it will close the English Language Institute this summer left international students worried about losing their student visas, some saying they will have to leave the country in about two weeks at the end of the semester.

Haile Proctor, a senior political science major and volunteer at the English Language Institute, pleaded with Provost Ann Cudd and Kathleen Blee, the dean of the College of General Studies, in a six-page letter to reconsider the University’s decision to cease the ELI’s operations on June 30. Proctor also criticized the University for creating “setbacks for international students” and defunding resources that marginalized students typically use.

The letter, which Proctor sent out Monday night, is signed by 18 student leaders, including from the Middle Eastern North African Student Association, Women in Law at Pitt and Breakthrough at Pitt. As of Tuesday night, more than 950 people have also signed an online petition created by Proctor urging Pitt to keep the ELI open.

Cudd responded via email to Proctor about 40 minutes after she sent the letter on Monday night, saying “Thank you for your input.” Based on this response, Proctor questions if Cudd even read or considered the entirety of her letter.

“When I saw that she responded so fast I was like, there’s no way she gave the proper consideration that this letter deserves,” Proctor said. “I know when people ask me these types of things or send me something that has to do with a big decision I like to sit down and really consider it, and I guess I just expected the same respect from my University leaders.”

Proctor said Cudd’s response was just a “professional way of telling me to shut up.” She added that Cudd’s email including the phrase “sent from my iPhone” shows “a lack of regard and care.”

“I didn’t have very high hopes for a response and for respect, but I feel like that was just the bottom tier and I thought I deserved

more than that,” Proctor said. “She didn’t respect any of the work me and the other supporters of the English Language Institute have put in trying to save it.”

Nick France, a Pitt spokesperson, said “conversations regarding the future of the English Language Institute are ongoing.” He didn’t directly respond to questions about whether Cudd read the petition or the letter, or students’ concerns regarding the loss of their visas.

Blee sent a letter to the Department of Linguistics in December, notifying them that the English Language Institute will cease operations in June. The letter cited declining enrollment in the ELI’s Intensive English Program as the reason for the decision. According to the institute’s website, Pitt’s IEP has served more than 14,000 students from more than 130 countries since 1964. Scott Kiesling, chair of the Department of Linguistics, said earlier this month that he plans to meet with Cudd to request support for the ELI for another year.

Proctor said she wishes the University

would do “the bare minimum” and create a transition plan or a way for some of the courses taught within the institute to be integrated within other departments or buildings on campus.

“I really do think that they either need to hear them out, or they need to create some smaller program, because the ELI teachers and directors are so open to hearing other options and working with the University, and the University is just not being open to anything and just saying no,” Proctor said.

Laura Chien plans to pursue a master’s degree in the U.S. and will complete her second semester at the English Language Institute this year. If the institute closes, she said she will likely have to go back to her home country of Taiwan.

“When I’m finished with this semester I would just have within two weeks to prepare to go back to my home country,” Chien said.

Chien and others are worried that the ELI’s closure will derail their post-graduate plans.

Grecia Camposano, another student within

the ELI who is from Peru, said she is disheartened by the closure because she and her fellow students all want to continue pursuing higher education and learning English.

“Because the ELI is closing we will no longer have our visas, and so we will have to go back,” Camposano said. “It’s sad and I think not a good decision by the University because we all want to continue studying English, and like we all don’t have other options to study it because we have to go back now.”

Camposano added that she wants the University to realize that they are breaking up families and affecting many students.

“So many of us came here without any family, so it’s like we have created here that new family and friends, so it’s like why do you want me to start in another place when I already created something here,” Camposano said.

According to Camposano, the University hasn’t helped provide them with other options to continue their education in the U.S.

“Some of our professors told us about, like, Chatham University, but we have to apply by ourselves and the University has not helped us apply to anything, and we think applying now won’t be good because it’s too late and they might not accept us now,” Camposano said.

Emily Chen, another student at the English Language Institute, said she has no desire to transfer to another University.

“I don’t want to go and to be transferred to another University because it is kind of being forced on us, and I came here to Pittsburgh because this was the best and I just am feeling forced now to go out,” Chen said.

Proctor said she will continue to fight for the students and teachers at the English Language Institute.

“I hope they send me a different response, but I don’t think they will,” Proctor said. “I want the University to know that I won’t be giving up on this and neither will the people at the ELI.”

The Parkvale Building on Meyran Avenue, which houses the English Language Institute. Nate Yonamine | Senior Staff Photographer

PITT SENIORS EXPRESS CONCERN ABOUT GRADUATING INTO A POTENTIAL RECESSION

Elle Kenney Staff Writer

As more and more people increasingly signal that a recession is going to hit the United States, Pitt seniors are preparing for the job market they are entering into.

Frances Troiano, a senior political science and French major, said she is growing more worried about the upcoming recession as graduation gets nearer.

“I have a little bit of time before I enter the actual workforce, but I’m going to have to work to pay for that and then deal with student loans, and then go into buying a house, getting a job and that’s pretty worrying,” Troiano said.

PNC released a statement regarding the economic outlook of 2023 on Jan. 24. Augustine Faucher, senior vice president and chief economist of the PNC Financial Services Group, said a mild recession is expected to occur later in 2023.

“Giving rising interest rates to cool off inflation, PNC’s baseline economic outlook is for a mild recession starting in the second quarter of 2023 and lasting roughly through the end of next year,” Faucher said.

According to Faucher, while it will affect the labor market, unemployment rates are expected to increase throughout 2023. Still, he says this recession will likely not be as intense as the ones the world has seen in recent history.

“Real GDP should contract by about 1%,” Faucher said. “The unemployment rate, which was near a 50-year low at the end of 2022 at around 3.7%, is expected to move up above 5% by late 2023 or early 2024. However, this recession will be much milder than the Great Recession in 2007 through 2009 or the coronavirus recession.”

Although Troiano is going to graduate school after graduation, she remains worried about finding a stable job to pay for student loans and housing.

“I did an internship before and some job searching, and it’s really difficult honestly,” Troiano said. “Even if you have all the qualifications, sometimes the pay is just not good. Not saying that I wouldn’t be happy to have a job, but I also have to pay rent.”

Jennifer Kueppers, an epidemiology graduate student, said while she has concerns about finding a job after she graduates, she also feels like it is a general insecurity people have.

“I think it’s this fear of everybody else …

you know, is it going to be secure when many other people are looking for jobs in the same fields? That’s just all insecurities,” Kueppers said.

Kueppers also said the housing inflation and difficulties securing a mortgage do not concern her at this time, as she does not plan on buying a house anytime soon and plans to continue renting.

“I’m probably going to end up renting for a while unless I decide to settle down with a family, and even then that’s going to be a whole new thing I’ll have to look into,” Kueppers said. “I won’t even think about looking into those options until I have a family.”

Erin Brennan, a senior rehabilitation science major, said she is not concerned about the upcoming recession, although she states she is not familiar with the current economic crisis. According to Brennan, hospitals and health centers are incredibly understaffed currently, so finding jobs in the health field is relatively easy.

“Unfortunately, the health community is pretty underserved. So finding positions normally isn’t too hard. Sometimes you have to be willing to move anywhere that has some positions available, but hospitals are pretty understaffed right now,” Brennan said. “The one I used to work at in McCandless closed an entire unit because they didn’t have enough nurses to cover the floor.”

According to Brennan, the biggest issue for physical therapy students isn’t finding jobs, but paying back student loans.

“Most of my friends who have graduated and are graduating have easily found jobs,”

Brennan said. “The biggest concern among the PT community is paying for grad school and debt and stuff, but that’s how it’s been for the past how many years, not really a new thing going on. I’ve been making sure that I don’t take out too much so that I’m not paying loans back forever. I’ve been pretty specific about how much I take a year to keep it under a certain amount.”

Troiano said she remembered how badly the 2008 recession affected her family and worries about her future and how she will pay back her student loans.

“I remember my parents dealing with struggles in 2008,” Troiano said. ”So I worry, because what am I going to do with my student loans? How am I going to pay for grad school? For what I want to do, I have to go to grad school — there’s no choice. So I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

A pile of cash. TPN File Photo

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

If you ask the American education system, you must know by the time you’re in high school. God forbid you’re ever a fresh college graduate and not living on your own with a fully established career. There’s too much pressure to have one set path in life, especially considering the increasing popularity of grind culture. I mean, I’m a drastically different person now than I was even a year ago, let alone when I was 17 years old and picking out a college.

Graduation is three months away, and I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. I definitely don’t feel grown up. It’s hard to decide what you want in life when you still don’t feel old enough to make these kinds of decisions. It’s even harder when comparing yourself to everyone else. My imposter syndrome is through the roof, and it seems like everywhere I look, people I know are landing absolutely insane positions straight out of school. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for them, but it’s disheartening to think about how I’m not quite there yet.

When I was younger, I thought college would be the time in my life when I got all my life experience in and

figured out who I am and what I want. It is, to some degree, and I’m happy to say that I’m a little bit closer to figuring it all out, but I’m not fully there yet. Well, I’m here to tell you that that’s okay.

Yes, my future is uncertain, but I refuse to rush into some job that makes me unhappy just because I feel like I have to. My mentality is as long as I’m learning, things will be alright.

Really, what it all comes down to — and I can’t stress this enough — is that we have our entire lives to work. Right now, we are at a point in our life that most older people would kill for. We’re the youngest we’ll ever be again, and, as scary as that is, it’s also very freeing. I’m not going to speak for everyone, but I’m 21 with no kids and no career. Why waste my youth worrying about the profession I’ll have later on, especially if it’s for the rest of my life?

Now, I’m no STEM major, but a few quick calculations tell me that if you’re retiring in your early sixties like most Americans, and you’re in your early twenties now, you still have some forty-odd years to work. Doesn’t that put things into perspective? Why are you worrying about what you’re going to do immediately after graduation, about what career you’re going to start, when you have the actual first day of the rest of your life waiting for you?

I had an ex-boyfriend once tell me that college is the only time in your life when you can decide exactly how you want to spend your life, day by day. You can build your schedule around commitments like work, clubs and meetings, and it’s an opportunity to gain independence on your own time. When he pointed this out, it felt like I was given the chance to take advantage of it, to savor it, to spend my time the way I wanted to before my life was consumed by a typical 9-to-5. But I don’t think this is the way it should be.

Everyone says college is the best years of your life, but maybe that’s just because everyone rushes into a soul-sucking career as soon as they graduate. People don’t take the time to stop and smell the roses before they choose a permanent direction, and that’s not to say that certain jobs are inherently wrong, it’s just that

certain jobs are wrong for certain people. The last thing I want is to wake up and be 50, stuck in a career that makes me unhappy, having lost my passions years ago, all because I didn’t take a little time for myself postgraduation.

Not rushing into a job doesn’t mean I don’t work hard, or that I don’t have a good work ethic. I work to support myself, and I understand that it’s not feasible for everyone to just take some time off. I’m not saying you should just sit at home and do nothing, or that you should fly across the world and move to the French countryside. What I am saying is that I simply find it more important for people to figure out who they are before settling into a full-time career. I know so many people who have taken alternate routes to find their own versions of success, instead of the idea of success that’s thrust upon us.

My first year at Pitt, I met people who knew they wanted to pursue pre-med from the day they were born. I also met seniors who were switching their major in their last semester. I met people in trade schools, people who were commuting and people who transferred from community colleges. As a senior now, I have friends doing everything from working full-time jobs, traveling the world and working as baristas because it provides them both freedom and flexibility.

College taught me that there is nothing wrong with taking your time. Success isn’t linear, and that full-time job can wait.

I know it’s hard to internalize all of this when you’re fighting tooth and nail to have someone in the corporate world at least acknowledge your existence, but it’s true. It’s definitely something I need to remind myself as I’m refreshing LinkedIn 20 times an hour, but I know that I still have time, and that things will work out.

I’m young, I’m smart and I’m still figuring it out. I love watching other people find their passions and what makes them happy, and I think it’s time for me to do the same. It’s scary, but it’s also very, very exciting.

So, stop worrying about that 401k, and go get a job in food service. Travel somewhere you haven’t been before, even if it’s just for the weekend. Get some life experience doing something, anything. But, whatever you do, make sure you’re learning — about what you like to do, what you’re good at and even what you’re bad at — especially what you’re bad at.

And the next time someone asks about what you’re doing in the future, do what I’m going to do and be honest, even if the answer is “I don’t know, but I’m figuring it out.”

Remember, no matter what, “What do you want to be?” is an infinitely better question than “What do you wish you were?”

Juliana Morello writes about whatever’s on her mind. Follow her on Instagram @juliana.morello or write to her at jcm160@pitt.edu

Juliana Morello Staff Columnist

OPINION

Thalia Sifnakis | Staff Illustrator

EVERYTHING I WISH I KNEW ABOUT LAW SCHOOL APPLICATIONS BEFORE APPLYING

Talia Spillerman Senior Staff Columnist

About a year ago, I started the process of applying to law school. Right away, I was overwhelmed with the countless prep courses, classes and books to prepare for the LSAT — the Law School Admissions Test. Here is a list of things that, if I had known a year ago through the entire admissions process, would have saved me my time, money and sanity.

Give yourself time

Whether you like it or not, studying for the LSAT takes time. Unlike other entrance exams, such as the Standard Admissions Test or even the Medical College Admissions Test, the LSAT doesn’t contain information you learn in a specific class. Instead, it tests skills such as logic and understanding arguments that undergraduate courses may help develop but do not explicitly teach. So there are aspects of the test that test takers must develop proficiency for themselves.

At first, I took this lack of specific memorization to mean that I either do or don’t have the innate ability to be successful on each section of the test. But this isn’t true. While each person will have different strengths at first, the more time you spend learning the test, the better you can score. The exact time it takes one to reach their highest possible score differs for each person — depending on your other commitments and how much you want to. While studying for the LSAT, I was a fulltime student or working nearly 30 hours per week. Not only did I have to consciously schedule time to prepare, but it also took time to figure out a viable method.

Since the LSAT objectively sucks the life out of you, I found that after practicing for a couple of hours, I needed a break. If I continued to study when I reached my limit, I would do worse on the questions — making me feel like I was digressing when I really just needed a break. Thus, taking a break is not being lazy but managing your time wisely. Similar to sports, rest time is just as important as practice time. So I would suggest stretching out studying so that you do not feel the need to cram. For me, this meant that, over the summer, I would practice more on the days I was not working.

Use a preparation method that fits your lifestyle and learning style

Unfortunately, no universal method can help you get a 180 — the highest possible score — on the LSAT. The best approach is one you will actually complete, a lesson I had to learn the expensive way.

I first signed up for Power Score — which at the time cost $500 — which has a library of classes on how to master the test. Yet, this did not help me. During the school year, I did not have the mental capacity to sit for an additional class, and over the summer, I felt like I needed a break from classes. I wanted to just review the information at my speed.

Throughout my time studying for the LSAT, I used Khan Academy. This free resource has many practice questions, explanations and complete tests. There are some strategy videos, but at least for me, they were not as helpful as the prep book series I bought.

The most helpful thing I did to help prepare me for the test was buying Manhattan Prep LSAT Strategy Guide books for $163. This three-volume set, one for each test section, has about 12 chapters discussing how to solve different questions and drills to understand how to better use these strategies. The book has smaller practice sections with a test-sized one at the end.

The Law School Admissions Council — the company that administers the LSAT and law school applications — also provides a bank of tests from the past 40 years which is a great practice tool. It costs nearly $100, but I think it’s worth having all those tests at your disposal to practice as much as you want. The correct answers are shown at the end of each section without explanations.

Everything about the process is expensive, but there are ways to save some money.

To take the LSAT itself, it costs $215 for each test, in addition to any practice materials you use. Then, when actually applying to law school, there’s a flat fee of $195 to send your score and transcript from LSAC — which is the only way you can apply. Plus, LSAC charges another $45 per school you send an application to. In addition to these LSAC fees, many law schools themselves have an application fee ranging from $30 to $85. LSAC does have a need-based fee waiver program, but it is not applicable to everyone.

The most significant money saver I took advantage of was application fee waivers from the law schools themselves. Some schools have a form on their website where you can request a fee waiver. Still, for many, I emailed the dean of financial assistance. I explained that I was a college student interested in applying and that the application fee and the many LSAC fees are expensive and asked if they could give me a fee waiver. For 75% of the schools I applied to, they gave me a code for a free application, meaning I just had to pay $45 for the LSAC processing fee.

There is no “normal” number of schools to apply to Choosing which schools to apply to can be overwhelming, with 196 American Bar Association-accredited law schools. To start, I selected some schools where I was in the 75th percentile of their last year’s class, based on my LSAT score and GPA. Then, I selected some schools where I was below the 50th percentile of the LSAT score, and finally, some schools where I was in the 25th percentile or below. When thinking about a location, I had no place in particular I wanted to go — I just knew I wanted to live in a city in the northeast. The number you apply to will differ for everyone based on

limiting factors such as location and affordability.

Overall, you can have a good guess based on your LSAT and GPA which schools you are more likely to get into and possibly receive scholarships from. But ultimately, you do not know until you try, so try to apply to a range of schools.

Be aware of what rankings are based on

If you are considering law school, you may have noticed many notoriously top schools, such as Harvard and Yale, have opted out of the US News and World Report Rankings due to the institution's disagreements with the lists’ notions of a top law school.

For potential students using the list as a guide, you cannot see the actual numbers each school gets and the difference between the rankings for each school making it difficult to adequately compare schools.

Regardless of which rating site you use, also make sure to look on each law schools’ website for the employment rate, clerkship placement and scholarship availability. Rankings are an excellent place to start understanding your options, but do not use that as your only basis for applying to a school.

Most of all, make sure you use all of your resources. When deciding on a preparation course or book,

read through the reviews on other sites. Watch YouTube videos on how other people have prepared for the LSAT — you never know when you’ll find a method that resonates with you. And as a Pitt student, remember that you have access to the Career Center, where a pre-law adviser can help answer any of your questions. Good luck!

Talia Spillerman writes about anything and everything. Write to her at tns26@pitt.edu.

Fikayomi Olagbami | Staff Illustrator

10 PERKS YOU MAY NOT KNOW YOU HAVE AS A PITT STUDENT

Jessica McKenzie Culture Editor

Life as a college student is rough, and sometimes it seems like everyone is out to get your money. Luckily, being a Panther has its perks — but many people don’t know what they are.

Here’s a round-up of 10 advantages there are to life at Pitt if your wallet is getting thin.

1. Xfinity Streaming

Students can sign in to various streaming sites through Xfinity, including HBO Max, with their Pitt email and password for free. This perk is only available when your device is connected to campus WiFi. Off-campus students can have $40/month internet through Xfinity if they live in Oakland.

2. Discounted Plan B

Plan B is always under lock and key at CVS, selling for $40-$50. But the University Pharmacy currently offers the emergency contraceptive for $14. Who knew? Purchasing Plan B is much less awkward — and more affordable — if you buy it on campus.

3. Discounts across multiple clothing stores

If you spend a day at the mall and are ready to splurge for the latest fashion trends, always bring your Pitt ID and ask the cashier if student discounts are available. Student discounts are available at American Eagle for

15%, 10% at Urban Outfitters, 15% at Banana Republic and 10-30% at Francesca’s. Some of these stores require students to have a Unidays or Student Beans account to validate the discount.

4. Free New York Times subscription

As a part of the Student Government Board’s collegiate readership program, Pitt students get a free subscription to The New York Times. By registering an account with their Pitt email, students get unlimited access to NYT’s breaking world news, opinion piec -

es, games and more.

5. Free Wall Street Journal subscription

The University Library System offers a free subscription to The Wall Street Journal when you register with your Pitt email. With an account, students can access WSJ content customized to their individual interests. Subscription is valid until the month after a student graduates.

6. Free Adobe products

Pitt students can use any Adobe Creative

Cloud software for no charge, thanks to the Adobe Education Exchange. This software includes the latest version of Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Illustrator and more.

7. Discounted tickets to almost anything arts-related

Phipps, Carnegie Museums, Pitt Stages — oh my! Pitt students can enjoy free or discounted tickets to museums and shows across Pittsburgh. Students can purchase tickets to many Pitt Stages productions for a discounted $15 with a student ID upon entrance. Not feeling the food selection at The Eatery? Panther Funds can fund a night out in Oakland. Local restaurants like CHiKN, The Porch, Moe’s and even Supercuts accept Panther Funds.

9. Inexpensive cell phone plans

Pitt IT partners with various mobile carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon to provide faculty and students with affordable smartphones for academic or personal use.

10. Season tickets to Pitt football Students can attend seven home football games during the season for only $25 with a student ID. Subscribing students have the option to purchase “buddy passes” for $5 per ticket.

The Cathedral of Learning. TPN File Photo

PITT FOOTBALL RELEASES 2023 SCHEDULE

Sept. 2 vs. Wofford

Sept. 9 vs. CINCINNATI

Sept. 16

WEST VIRGINIA

Sept. 23 vs. NORTH CAROLINA

Sept. 30

VIRGINIA TECH

Oct. 14 VS. LOUISVILLE

Oct. 21 AT WAKE FOREST

Oct. 28 AT NOTRE DAME

Nov. 4 VS. flFLORIDA STATE

Nov. 11 AT flSYRACUSE

Nov. 16 VS. boston college

Nov. 25 VS. flDUKE

Brian Sherry Assistant Sports Editor

The 2022 Pitt football season came to a close just one month ago. But fans can already look forward to next season as the program released its 2023 schedule on Monday night. In a Jeopardy!-inspired announcement on Twitter, the Pitt football program announced the matchups, dates and locations for their 2023 campaign.

Head football coach Pat Narduzzi and the team run out of the tunnel ahead of Pitt’s football game vs. UNC on Nov. 11, 2021. Hannah Wilson | Assistant Visual Editor

PITT ATHLETES WHO COULD RETURN AND COACH THEIR FORMER TEAMS

Pitt has a long history of stellar players across the entire athletic department. While these athletes may or may not have gone on to have successful careers in sports, their prowess in their respective niches and rapport at Pitt makes them perfect candidates for possible coaching roles in the future.

Chinaza Ndee, Volleyball

Ndee has a storied career as a Panther. Pitt volleyball won three consecutive ACC championships in Ndee’s first three seasons in Oakland. Ndee and the Panthers achieved the program’s first Elite Eight and Final Four appearances in her senior and fifth-year seasons, respectively.

Individually, Ndee is one of the best players in program history. She is No. 2 in school history in block assists and No. 3 in total blocks. She also finished her career top 10 in Pitt history in block assists, total blocks, kills and hitting percentage.

Ndee obtained her master’s in psychology at Pitt in 2022 and earned a scholarship to pursue medical school at Pitt. But if she wanted a return to volleyball, an opportunity for her to coach alongside current Pitt head coach Dan Fisher could open up down the line. She already attended countless games every year in support of her old teammates and was a naturally vocal and emotional leader on the court. The jump to coaching doesn’t seem far-fetched!

Brandin Knight, Men’s Basketball

As the Panthers’ point guard in the early-2000s, Knight excelled as a playmaker and scorer. He’s the Panthers’ all-time leader in assists and added 1,440 career points, highlighting his abilities as an all-around player.

But Knight’s stats weren’t just for show — he was the undisputed leader for the Panthers, who put together one of the program’s best stretches in school history. In Knight’s junior and senior seasons, the Panthers went to two straight Sweet 16, including the school’s first-ever Big East championship in 2002-03.

Knight’s career was cut short due to injury, but he quickly returned to the Petersen Events Center as an assistant coach from 2008-16.

Knight currently serves as an associate head coach at Rutgers and is renowned for his coaching abilities. But if the Pitt head coaching job opens up any time soon, Knight make an incredibly popular candidate for the position.

Sean Miller, Men’s Basketball

One of the most obvious head coaching candidates down the line for Pitt basketball is Sean Miller, a point guard for the Panthers from 1987-92.

A Pittsburgh native, Miller stayed home, playing four seasons at Pitt and starting in 124 games. Miller averaged 10 points and 5.8 assists per game, and the Panthers made three NCAA tournament appearances

during his tenure.

After his playing career, Miller was an assistant coach at multiple institutions, including one season at Pitt. Miller took an assistant coach position at Xavier

and wasn’t promoted to head coach until 2004. But Miller shined in his new role, leading the Musketeers to four NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight appearance.

Miller then became head coach at Arizona, where he created a national power. The Arizona Wildcats made the NCAA tournament in seven of Miller’s first nine seasons as head coach, and ranked No. 1 nationally multiple times over his tenure.

Miller returned to Xavier in 2022 after Arizona fired him for NCAA violations and a decline in performance. While he’s contracted for six years with his new school and experiencing a very successful return campaign, a move to a potentially rising Pitt basketball program seems like a very logical next step in his career.

Therese Pitman, Women’s Lacrosse

Unlike the others on this list, Pitman played a majority of her lacrosse career outside of Pitt. Pitman played five seasons of collegiate lacrosse at Birmingham and Siena before transferring to Pitt for her final year of eligibility.

In their inaugural season, the Panthers finished 9-10 and Pitman performed well as a defender, causing 18 turnovers and 33 ground balls.

But her most lasting impact isn’t necessarily as a player — she’s now most known for her new role in helping student-athletes off the field. Pitman obtained her master’s in public administration during the season and is currently a leadership and development intern with the NCAA. She’s an advocate for athletes, seeking to help those struggling with mental health.

Pitman will always be a centerpiece of Pitt women’s lacrosse history as a member of the inaugural team. Her knowledge of lacrosse, and interest in working with athletes both on and off of the field leaves her as a prime candidate for a position within the program in the future.

Tre Tipton, Football

Tipton played wide receiver for Pitt from 2015-21. He finished his career with 400 yards and 40 catches and was a member of the 2021 ACC championship winning team. But Tipton’s impact at Pitt is deeper than just his statistical production, as his work to end the stigma in athletics surrounding mental health was a national story and inspiration to many.

Tipton received his master’s in social work at Pitt, and in 2022 Pitt brought him onto the staff as a mental prosperity coach.

Tipton is just 26, but his story along with his ties to Pitt football can take him a long way. Down the line, don’t be surprised to see Tipton in an on-field coaching role, or even in a prominent role with the athletic department as a whole.

Chinaza Ndee returns the ball during a game in 2019. TPN File Photo

Jermaine Sykes

Senior Staff Writer

Fans crowd around wide receiver Tre Tipton (6) after Pitt football defeated Clemson on Oct. 23, 2021. Pitt Athletics

Pitt women’s lacrosse defender Therese Pitman (6) on the field at Highmark Stadium in 2022. Pitt Athletics

AFTER OFFSEASON RELOAD, PITT BASEBALL VETERAN SKY DUFF BRINGS LEADERSHIP TO YOUNG CLUBHOUSE

David Scott Staff Writer

Pitt baseball underwent massive roster turnover during this offseason. Three key players left for the MLB and eight more graduated. The program unveiled a 24-man recruiting class to compensate for the loss, but so many new faces can bring challenges to a roster looking to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in more than 20 years.

Graduate student infielder Sky Duff is capable of stepping up as a crucial team leader.

Pitt recruited the New Jersey native in 2018. Over the course of his career, Duff proved himself as a team-first player. The graduate student infielder is willing to make sacrifices to see his team win, including changing his position in the lineup.

“I’m comfortable with wherever they see me fit,” Duff said. “If it’s at the top, setting the table and giving guys opportunities to drive me in I’m cool with that. If they want me to be middle of the order bringing in the runs I’m also okay with that.”

Duff also embraced the challenge of playing in the ACC when he came to Pitt. The infielder even claims that the conference is one of the best in the country.

“The ACC is one of, if not the best, conference in the country,” Duff said.

Seven ACC teams are featured in the preseason Top 25 this year, proving how crowded the field is in the conference. Despite having such a volume of talented opponents, Duff saw an ambition to join those powerful teams within Pitt’s athletic program.

“The standard around here, there’s not really a place like it.” Duff said. “It’s a very unique campus and the athletic department is committed to excellence. That really caught my eye.”

From Shamong, New Jersey, the 23-yearold graduate infielder is entering his fifth year as a Panther. Duff has started 152 games at Pitt, slashing .299 batting average/.432 on base percentage / and .400 slugging percentage during 158 appearances.

As a first-year in 2019, Duff cemented himself in the Pitt lineup by starting in 48 of the team’s 55 games. It was a solid showing for him, slashing a .260/.397/ .315 during 181 at

bats, but that was just the beginning of his ascension into an elite leadoff hitter.

In 2020, Duff’s batting average cracked .300 for the first time. It was a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the infielder slashed .306/.507/.449 with four doubles and nine RBI in 49 at bats.

Duff stepped up in 2021, posting careerhigh stats. He started in 40 of the Panthers’ 43 games and finished the season with a dominant .366 average, which was fifth-best in the ACC. His final slash line was .366/.461/.524 and he added 18 doubles and four stolen bases to those impressive totals.

Last season was a down year for Duff. He still hit a solid .275/.420/.360 and matched his career high of 21 RBI, but it wasn’t close to his astronomical performance the year before, perhaps due to being lowered in the batting order out of the leadoff spot.

Duff was a part of the heart wrenching 2021 team, which fell out of tournament contention after a late season skid. He also played on the 2022 team which showed hints of the potential within the program, but ultimately fell short just as the year before.

“The last two years, being right there on the edge, those are tough things and it’s a fire

that builds up,” Duff said. “The biggest thing is not getting ahead of ourselves. The past couple years things trended in the right direction and we started looking forward.”

Experiences like the last two years are crushing, but Duff’s experience with them has only built him up as a leader and mentor on the team. Junior outfielder C.J. Funk, who is also Duff’s roommate, knows better than anyone how valuable Duff is to the growth of Pitt’s roster.

“I see a lot from him because I live with him,” Funk said. “Sky is awesome. He’s a really good role model for the younger guys. He took me and [junior outfielder Dom Popa] under his wing, we both live with him. He’s been nothing but positive. Anything that comes out of his mouth is something positive no matter what. He’s always the first guy to say ‘you have another opportunity coming, shake that one off, move on.”

Funk credits resilience and experience as the reasons Duff is such a good mentor to those around him. From game-winning hits to just missing out on the NCAA tournament, Duff has seen it all.

“Being here as long as he has, he’s been through it all,” Funk said. “He’s seen the highs

and lows of this team, and with that experience he’s more than willing to share it with everyone else.”

The players aren’t the only ones aware of Duff’s contributions to Pitt’s culture. Head coach Mike Bell admires the players who step up and set an example for the others on the team.

“When you see what goes on with our program, it resonates through the players and they lead by example,” Coach Bell said. “They bring along a freshman and show them ‘this is the way we do things, this is why we do things.”

Duff knows his role as a leader and his influence shows on the field. Funk slashed .298/.476/.511 in 2022 with five home runs, 24 RBI and 35 runs scored in 45 starts. Duff’s other roommate, Popa, also enjoyed a productive season, slashing .262/.444/.377 with 8 RBI and 16 runs scored in 17 starts.

“It’s something I take a lot of pride in,” Duff said. “I’ve been here for a while now. I take a lot of pride in showing the new guys how we do things, what we expect from each other and helping them acclimated.”

After four years in the program, Duff is enjoying looking back and seeing himself in the new guys coming through the door. By remembering where he started, he can make an impact on those new to the program.

“It’s really fun because I was in their shoes,” Duff said. When they come in everything is moving fast so I kind of help slow things down and want them to know ‘hey, if you need anything you can come to me.”

Duff’s efforts to build a strong, winning culture in Pittsburgh have an opportunity to pay off starting Feb. 17 against Maine. The team has 55 games ahead en route to a potential NCAA Tournament appearance for Pitt. With the challenge looming ahead, Duff and the rest of the squad are ready to get the 2023 season underway.

“I’m excited to get back out there,” Duff said. “Not looking too far ahead but getting to that first game, getting into conference play and going from there.”

Pitt junior infielder Sky Duff (3) celebrates a grand slam during Pitt’s first home ACC series win of the 2021 season against Miami University in April 2021. Lucas Zheng | Senior Staff Photographer

Chatham University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Chatham offers master’s and doctoral degrees in a wide array of subjects in our areas of excellence: health & sustainability, business & technology, the arts & sciences.

One of the earliest schools of its kind in the country, the Falk School of Sustainability & Environment (FSSE) is a wellspring for leadership and education to overcome current and future sustainability challenges. FSSE offers master’s degrees in food studies, sustainability and dual-degree programs that blend food studies or sustainability with an MBA. Graduates have gone on to work for organizations including the Pittsburgh mayor’s office, San Francisco Food Systems, H.J. Heinz Corp., Idea Foundry, Evoqua, GTECH and Hertz.

The highly collaborative School of Health Sciences (SHS) at Chatham stands in stark contrast to the “lost in the crowd” health sciences programs at many larger universities. The school’s unique makeup allows for interprofessional education among students in physician assistant studies, psychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, healthcare informatics, nursing and athletic training. Graduates work in a wide range of healthcare settings, such as UPMC, Allegheny General Hospital, Princeton University Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, The Children’s Institute and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

Students come to the School of Arts, Science & Business (SASB) because our programs blend small class sizes with entry into vibrant communities and networks throughout Pittsburgh and across the country. SASB offers advanced degrees in business, communication, science, design, education, creative writing and more. Graduates work at organizations including BNY Mellon, H.J. Heinz Corp., Radio Free Asia, Dollar Bank, DuPont Corp., Pittsburgh Pirates, the Andy Warhol Museum and MAGNET Global Network.

Learn more at Chatham.edu.

Explore graduate programs at Chatham University

Chatham University offers convenient online and on-campus graduate programs with an emphasis on experiential, multidisciplinary learning. Sample programs include:

SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES

• Doctor of Physical Therapy

• Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Entry-level

• Master of Physician Assistant Studies

• Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

• Master of Science in Athletic Training

SCHOOL OF ARTS, SCIENCE & BUSINESS

• Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

• Master of Interior Architecture

FALK SCHOOL OF SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENT

• Master of Arts in Food Studies

• Master of Sustainability

• Dual-degree MBA and Master of Sustainability or MA in Food Studies

• Master of Arts in Biomedical Studies

• Master of Communication

Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Contact Info: graduate.admissions@sru.edu. Phone: 724-738-2051.

Application Deadline: rolling admission for most programs. Check online for health science deadlines.

Student to Faculty Ratio: typically, 1:30.

Tuition: in-state, $516 per credit; out-of-state, $774 per credit.

Graduate school can be a critical step in achieving life’s goals. Whether you are looking to enhance your education after completing your undergraduate degree, attaining a promotion, or changing careers, Slippery Rock University (SRU) offers a rock-solid education built on academic excellence and faculty expertise. We offer four doctoral degrees, more than 40 graduate programs, five certifications, five certificates and four endorsements. SRU offers online, campus and blended graduate programs to fit your busy lifestyle.

Experience the difference. Learn more about our programs at www.sru.edu/graduate or contact graduate admissions at 724-738-2051 or graduate.admissions@sru.edu.

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY GRADUATE PROGRAMS

MASTER’S DEGREES:

• Accountancy (online)

• Adapted Physical Activity (online)

• Athletic Training (on-campus)

• Counseling and Student Affairs (onsite/online)

• Criminal Justice (online)

• Data Analytics (online)

• Elementary Education (online)

• English (online)

DOCTORAL DEGREES:

• Environmental Education (online)

• Health Informatics (online)

• Health Information Management (online/onsite)

• History (online)

• MBA (online)

• Music Therapy (blended)

• Parks and Resource Management (online)

• Physician Assistant Studies (on-campus)

• Educational Leadership and Administration (online)

• Occupational Therapy (onsite)

• Physical Therapy (onsite)

• Special Education (online)

www.SRU.edu

A member of Pennsylvania‘s State System of Higher Education

1, 2023

• Public Health (online)

• School Nursing (online)

• Secondary Education (blended/ online)

• School Wellness (online)

• Social Work (blended)

• Special Education (online)

• Teaching Online (online)

• TESOL (blended)

CONNECT WITH US CALL: 724.738.2051

EMAIL: graduate.admissions@sru.edu

EXPLORE: www.SRU.edu

Master of Business Administration

Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh

Attention Pitt Seniors!

Apply this year for Tepper Future Business Leaders Deferred MBA Admissions Program

CMU’s deferred admission format is designed for motivated college seniors who are ready to secure a spot in a top-ranked MBA program before embarking on their professional journey.

Undergraduate seniors who plan to graduate in the current academic year may apply to the Tepper Full-Time MBA program before graduating, and delay their enrollment in the program up to four consecutive academic years while they gain professional work experience.

About the Full-Time MBA Program

When you know how to harness data, anything is possible. The Tepper School’s STEM-designated MBA helps you unite the powers of analysis and insight with emotional intelligence, so you will be ready to lead in the emerging business landscape.

How to Apply

Apply online by April 2, 2023.

Your application will include an online application form, undergraduate transcripts, a resume, one professional recommendation, essays (one short answer and one essay), an application fee or fee waiver, and GMAT or GRE test scores or a test waiver. Learn more at tepper.cmu.edu.

Master of Science in Business Analytics

Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh

Earn Your MSBA in Just 9 Months

The rise of Big Data is driving demand for professionals with advanced analytics skills and business knowledge. Carnegie Mellon’s M.S. in Business Analytics (MSBA) program is a STEM-designated program designed for those who want to deepen their analytical skills and move into sought-after business analyst positions.

You’ll earn an MSBA from the #2 school in Business Analytics (U.S. News & World Report) and be equipped with the analytical skills, business knowledge, and creative problem-solving expertise to transform data into more insightful thinking and better decisions.

Is This Program Right for You?

Our full-time, 9-month program on Carnegie Mellon’s campus in Pittsburgh, PA is designed for recent college graduates with little or no work experience. This professional program is a career accelerator for students with undergraduate degrees in business, economics, engineering, mathematics, information systems, and computer science. You’ll gain experiential training in methodology, software engineering, corporate communication, and business.

If you master the power of data, you’ll be the person most corporate recruiters want to hire. Employment of data analysts is projected to grow 25% by 2030 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

To apply:

Applications are currently being accepted for Fall 2023 enrollment. Learn more at tepper.cmu.edu/msba.

UNLEASH YOUR PASSION FOR DATA

BE A PART OF THE INTELLIGENT FUTURE

Graduate & Professional Studies

University of Pittsburgh

Pitt Students and Alumni: Get Money for Graduate School at Pitt

Is graduate school in your future? Think Pitt. With the Pitt2Pitt scholarship, which awards up to $7,500 per year for graduating University of Pittsburgh students and alumni, you can get a jump start on grad school in the place you already call home.

The scholarship launched in 2020 in response to dips in the job market related to the COVID-19 pandemic, to support current students considering further education instead of entering the job market right away, or alumni seeking to boost their professional skills or change careers.

Jake Matthews, a 2022 Pitt2Pitt Scholarship recipient who is now a graduate student in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, spoke to Pittwire about his experience. “After spending one or two months on the job hunt after graduation, I got some offers that weren’t exactly what I was looking for,” he said. “I’m undertaking a Master of Science in Quantitative Economics for a leg up into the industry at the level that I want.”

Since inception, Pitt2Pitt has supported more than 300 students. The program is here to stay and is growing, with more than 80 participating graduate and professional programs in fields such as law, business, health sciences, education, social work, and technology. Example degrees include Master of Science in Health Informatics (MS), Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Part-Time MBA (MBA), and Master of Science in Nursing with Nursing Informatics specialty (MSN). Alumni and graduating seniors at the Oakland campus as well as regional campuses are eligible for the funds.

“Pitt has incredibly talented, driven undergraduate students. And they already know the quality of education here—so many of our programs are ranked nationally and internationally,” says Vice Provost for Graduate Studies Amanda Godley, whose office established the scholarship. “To be able to encourage them to stay for grad school is a win-win, for Pitt and for our students.”

The scholarship seeks to increase access and equity, pillars of Pitt’s overall mission. In addition to the scholarship money, most Pitt2Pitt programs waive the application fee for graduating Pitt seniors and alumni. Also, many offer online and hybrid learning options as well as part-time tracks for increased flexibility.

And for current students already living in Pittsburgh, sticking around means avoiding the cost, hassle, and mental load of relocating.

“Moving to a new place is distracting,” said Matthews. “I like that I could just focus on school.”

Indeed, pursuing advanced education is bound to push the “comfort zone” academically, so some might appreciate keeping other aspects of life familiar. When surveyed about potential benefits of staying at Pitt for grad school, one student wrote, It’s familiar to me. I’ve been around Oakland all my life. The professors. The programs. It’s home. I would get a sense of comfort. It wouldn’t seem foreign. It would be easier.

Plus, who wouldn’t want to stay close to their favorite hiking trail and takeout joint?

If you’re a Pitt student interested in finding out more about grad school options and funding, check out one of our Exploring Graduate Education At Pitt Workshops hosted by the David C. Frederick Honors College and Pitt Graduate Studies. The workshops will facilitate discussions on how to decide if graduate education is right for you, choosing a school, creating the best application, and applying for funding (including the Pitt2Pitt scholarship). Join remotely or in person with lunch or dinner provided on March 16, May 23, July 23, October 3, or December 7. Register for a workshop and view participating Pitt2Pitt scholarship programs here: www.gradstudies.pitt.edu/ pitt2pitt.

Maybe your best option, after all, is right here. #H2P

Writer: Liberty Ferda

World-class EDUCATION, SUPPORTIVE environment and resources for SUCCESS

We know your Pitt education has prepared you for the next level—obtaining a graduate degree or certificate from the University of Pittsburgh. With the Pitt2Pitt Scholarship, graduating Pitt undergraduates and alumni can receive up to $7,500 in tuition scholarship.

There are more than 80 participating Pitt2Pitt graduate or professional programs in areas such as Business, Education, Engineering, Government, Health Sciences, Law, Natural and Social Sciences, and Technology. Many flexible, part-time, online, and hybrid options are also available.

For all the details on the Pitt2Pitt Scholarship, visit gradstudies.pitt.edu/pitt2pitt

Pitt2Pitt SCHOLARSHIP

Graduating Pitt undergraduates and alumni can receive up to a $7,500 tuition scholarship per year when they enroll in a participating Pitt graduate or professional program.

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Release Date:

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis

DOWN

1 Safari herbivore

2 Fabulous writer?

3 *Figure often depicted with a scythe and an hourglass

4 Hubbub

5 Ready for picking

6 __ college

7 *Pakistani-born chef who was posthumously honored with a James Beard Award

8 Up the creek

9 Story

10 Part of FWIW

11 *Serious software problem

12 Dessert from 16 Handles, familiarly

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

By Lisa Senzel & Christina Iverson ©2022

Agency,