The Office of First-Year Programs administers two high impact programs, Academic Foundations and BRIDGES. Our student success programs are crafted to assist first-year students with their academic and social transition to the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. We partner with many units and resources across campus to ensure the seamless transition, orientation and acclimation of our first-year students.
This one-credit course is your insiders’ guide to Pitt, connecting you to valuable academic resources and opportunities, introducing you to the campus and the city, and providing the opportunity to meet other first-year students in small classes. Whether you’re an out-of-state student or have lived in the Pittsburgh region your entire life, this course will provide you with indispensable information and tips for navigating your new campus and new city. Browse our website to explore the many different versions of Academic Foundations.
This application based program serves historically marginalized students who are university scholarship recipients and/ or grant recipients. Students within BRIDGES engage in a tailored first-year cohort experience that is rooted in mentorship, resource building and academic coursework. Students will have the opportunity to partake in a pre-orientation retreat, tailored sections of Academic Foundations and social outings with other first-year students and Pitt upperclassmen. Browse our website to explore if BRIDGES is the program for you.
First-Year Programs Staff
Bianca is passionate about creating inclusive spaces for students to thrive and strives to have First- Year Programs be an example of this. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and inclusive education from Nazareth College, a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University at Buffalo and a doctorate degree from Pitt’s School of Education. When not working, Bianca enjoys traveling, indoor cycling and watching crime TV shows. If you have ideas or suggestions on how to enhance First-Year Programs, please feel free to set up a time to connect.
Rebekah is a lifelong learner who is passionate about professional growth and continuously seeks opportunities to learn new things and strengthen her skills. With a strong background in business operations and management, she is excited to contribute more than twenty years of nonprofit and higher education experience to First-Year Programs. Having benefited from first-year experiences herself, she is passionate about supporting programs that help students build connections, navigate their transition, and thrive. She holds a master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor's degree from Chatham College for Women. When not working, Rebekah enjoys listening to audiobooks, baking, watching James Bond movies, and spending time with her family.