Spring Welcome

Spring Welcome will begin on January 5, 2025!

Start your Pitt journey on the right foot by participating in Spring Welcome and Bridge to Success events! These programs are meant to help you learn more about life at Pitt and engage with your fellow new Panthers.

What is Bridge to Success?

Bridge to Success is a series of programming meant to help you ease into life at Pitt. We know that learning to thrive in a new setting can be challenging, so we've created a series of activities to introduce you to Pitt bit by bit!

Spring Welcome and Bridge to Success Schedule

Check out the Spring Welcome and Bridge to Success schedule! Keep an eye out for any programs you want to attend. 

  • Sunday, January 5
    • Welcome Reception hosted by New Student Programs and the Office of Parent & Family Resources
      • 4 - 5 p.m. | WPU Assembly Room

      • Welcome to the University of Pittsburgh! Join us for an uplifting start to your journey at Pitt with our Welcome Reception, an event dedicated to our new first-year and transfer students. Held in the elegant WPU Assembly Room, this reception is the perfect opportunity to meet other new Panthers, connect with university officials, and become part of our vibrant campus community.

        At this special gathering, you'll receive a warm welcome from university officials who are excited to have you join the Pitt family. They’ll share inspiring words about the opportunities and support that await you throughout your academic journey here.

  • Monday, January 6
    • Schedule Walks hosted by Off-Campus Student Services
      • 2 - 4 p.m. | Meet outside WPU Lower Lounge
      • Commuters! Join the Oakland Community Ambassadors for a walking tour of campus and the surrounding community to find the buildings where your classes will be, learn about some favorite study spots, and get acquainted with the neighborhood! Dress warmly and come prepared with any academic buildings or other spots you want to find.
    • New Student Mixer hosted by New Student Programs
      • 4 - 6 p.m. | WPU Dining Room A
      • Join us for the Spring New Student Mixer, where you can connect with fellow students starting their journey this semester. Enjoy music, tasty snacks, and a fun atmosphere as you make new friends and explore campus life. Don’t miss this chance to kick off your Pitt experience!
    • Virtual Chess hosted by Campus Recreation (January 6 - 11)
      • This event is a great way for new and transfer students to meet people with similar interests. With Chess being an individual activity, you can sign-up and meet others that are participating and potentially new to campus!

        Once individuals have registered their participation on IMLeagues.com/Pitt, they will receive an email shortly thereafter with instructions on joining the Chess.com tournament. All matches will be virtual and there will be a GroupMe chat created for the league so participants can engage in discussions!
  • Tuesday, January 7
  • Wednesday, January 8
    • New Year and New Planners hosted by New Student Programs
      • 10 a.m. - Noon | Towers Lobby
      • Swing by Towers Lobby to plan out your semester with NSP! We will have planners for your convience to get organized, and stay on track, and to set yourself up for success!
  • Thursday, January 9
    • 30:30 Morning Ascent hosted by Campus Recreation
      • 9 - 10 a.m. | Trees Hall Climbing Wall
      • A workout that combines 30 minutes of HIIT with 30 minutes of climbing. 30:30 workouts can enhance your body’s ability to adapt to different movements, maintain high energy and excitement during the duration of your workout, and allow your body to train different scopes of fitness.
    • Environmental Justice (EJ) and Sustainability Engagement Open House hosted by the Office of Sustainability
      • 8 - 9 p.m. | WPU 510
      • The Student Office of Sustainability (SOOS) is hosting an Environmental Justice (EJ) and Sustainability Engagement Open House. Here, new students will learn about EJ and sustainability at Pitt, hear from our affiliate clubs and partner organizations, and learn how they can get involved in environmental justice and sustainability efforts on and around campus. Project teams from the Sustainability class (Geology 1333) will also speak about their goals and how new students can get involved.
  • Friday, January 10
    • Involvement Fair Session 1
      • 10 a.m. - Noon | WPU
      • Explore your passions and discover new interests at the Involvement Fair! Join us for an exciting event where you can connect with student organizations, clubs, and activities across campus. Whether you're into leadership, service, arts, or academics, this fair is your gateway to getting involved and making the most of your Pitt experience. Don't miss out on this opportunity to find your community and start building your university legacy!
    • Involvement Fair Session 2 (Club Sports & Fraternity & Sorority Life)
      • 2 - 4 p.m. | WPU
      • Explore your passions and discover new interests at the Involvement Fair! Join us for a special Involvement Fair session featuring Club Sports and Fraternity & Sorority Life. Don't miss out on this opportunity to find your community and start building your university legacy!
  • Sunday, January 12
    • Night out on the Town: Pittsburgh Penguins Game hosted by New Student Programs
      • 3:30 - 9 p.m. | PPG Paints Arena
      • Come and enjoy a night at PPG Paints Arena and see the Pittsburgh Penguins take on Tampa Bay Lighting! Check your pitt.edu inbox for registration instructions.

  • Monday, January 13
    • Big Money Bingo hosted by New Student Programs
      • 7 - 9 p.m. | WPU Assembly Room
      • Get ready for Big Money Bingo at the University of Pittsburgh! Join us for an exciting night of bingo, where you can win fun prizes while meeting fellow spring semester students. It’s a great opportunity to unwind and enjoy some friendly competition. Don’t miss out on the fun
  • Tuesday, January 14
    • Involvement Fair Session 1
      • 10 a.m. - Noon | WPU
      • Explore your passions and discover new interests at the Involvement Fair! Join us for an exciting event where you can connect with student organizations, clubs, and activities across campus. Whether you're into leadership, service, arts, or academics, this fair is your gateway to getting involved and making the most of your Pitt experience. Don't miss out on this opportunity to find your community and start building your university legacy!
    • Involvement Fair Session 2
      • 2 - 4 p.m. | WPU
      • Explore your passions and discover new interests at the Involvement Fair! Join us for an exciting event where you can connect with student organizations, clubs, and activities across campus. Whether you're into leadership, service, arts, or academics, this fair is your gateway to getting involved and making the most of your Pitt experience. Don't miss out on this opportunity to find your community and start building your university legacy!
  • Wednesday, January 15
    • Completing your FASFA for Fall '24 - Spring '26 hosted by the Office of the Provost
      • Noon - 1 p.m. | 217 Langley Hall, Student Success Hub
      • Completing your FASFA for Fall 25-Spring 26 : Need assistance with completing your Financial Aid application for 25-26 school year? We will have financial aid representatives in this session to assist you with all your questions. Bring your laptop to complete the application in real time.
  • Thursday, January 16
    • Warm Up & Wind Down: Map Out Your Semester hosted by New Student Programs
      • 6 - 8 p.m. | WPU Lower Lounge
      • Get ready to Warm up and Wind down as we plan for the semester together! Join us for hot chocolate, coffee, and other treats as we take a moment to unwind and get prepared for the year ahead. We will have planners to help you start the year off right, and a special mug for your treat.

  • Monday, January 20
    • MLK Day of Service hosted by PittServes
      • 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Various locations
      • MLK Day of Service is the only Federal Holiday observed as a national day of service. Register to volunteer either on campus or off campus to honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. Click here for more information and to register.
  • Tuesday, January 21
    • Career Center "Negotiation Skills"
      • Noon - 1 p.m. | Zoom - Registration info coming soon!
      • Career Center “Negotiation Skills – In this session, Career Center will present on “How to Negotiate Your Salary Needs”. Learn how to ask the appreciate questions, what to look for in your benefit package, and elevate your strengths.
    • End of Bridge Celebration hosted by New Student Programs
      • 5 - 7 p.m. | WPU Nordy's Place
      • As we wrap up our welcome events for spring students at the University of Pittsburgh, come enjoy a night filled with music, karaoke, and tasty snacks. Complete at least one Bridge to Success event a week, and you’ll have the chance to stuff your very own panther plushy! Celebrate your new journey and make lasting memories with your fellow students. Don’t miss the fun!