PALs are Provost Academy Leaders who attended Provost Academy during their first year at University of Pittsburgh, just like you. They now serve as peer mentors for attendees.
Learn more about the 2025 PALs below.
| PAL | Good to Know |
|---|---|
Mariyah Abdul Rahman | Major: Geology Home: Frederick Maryland Favorite Place on Campus: Schenley Plaza Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because it's a perfect sized city; it's not to overwhelming but still feels like a city while also having lots to do in the surrounding neighborhoods! Clubs/Organizations: Kesslers Scholars, Black Action Society, Glow and Grow, Trio SSS |
Rebecca Amanor  | Major: Molecular Biology Home: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: New Student Programs Office Why I Chose Pitt: There are an abundance of resources for aspiring minority pre-health scholars so that they are equipped and prepared to go into their respective careers. Alongside that there was a strong sense of community amongst Pitt students. When I arrived at Pitt, that sense of community was even stronger when I found my support system. Clubs/Organizations: Pitt Pathfinders, TRIO SSS, Bridges, Panther Connect, New Student Ambassador, Persons Excluded due to Ethnicity or Race (PEERs), MIDS, Strong Women Strong Girls, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated |
Oludara Badero | Major: Public Health and Public Policy minor Home: Long Island, New York Favorite Place on Campus: Alumni Hall Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because of its strong undergraduate public health program and the wide range of opportunities it offers for experiential learning. Also, I knew I wanted to venture into a new city for college, and Pitt felt like the perfect place for this exploration! Clubs/Organizations: American Mock World Health Organization (AMWHO), African Student Organization, Multiracial Student Organization, Black Legal Society, Bridge Beyond PGH |
Medha Biradar  | Major: Neuroscience Home: Canonsburg, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Soldiers and Sailors Lawn Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because of its great academics, school spirit, and location. I love that there is always something to do on or off campus and countless career opportunities, especially in medicine. Clubs/Organizations: Alpha Phi Omega, Strong Women Strong Girls, FORGE, Dhirana, and Provost Academy |
Amesa Boaz | Major: Communications and Law, Criminal Justice, and Society Home: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: William Pitt Union Why I Chose Pitt: The people and atmosphere! Clubs/Organizations: ΔΣΘ, BAS, Pitt Arrival, PASNM, Frederick Honors College |
René Bubar  | Major: Marketing Home: Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Cathedral Lawn Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because it is a city campus, which means there's always something fun to do! I also love that the large student body allows you to meet so many different people! Pitt also has a great business program with lots of opportunities! Clubs/Organizations: Spanish Club, The Swiftie Society, and Provost Academy |
Bryan Calderon | Major: Psychology Hometown: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Student Success Hub Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because I thought it was important to move away from home and have a fresh start. Coming from a small, tight-knit town, I knew I wanted to experience life in a city school. Pitt was the ideal place for personal, professional, and academic growth! Clubs/Organizations: Kessler Scholar, DCFHC Student Ambassador, Latinx Student Association, Provost Academy |
Blair Chizmar-Geiwitz  | Major: Pre-Pharmacy Home: Jamestown, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: My favorite place on campus is Cathy! Why I Chose Pitt: I choose Pitt because of my connection to the city. I grew up traveling to Pittsburgh to visit the museums and attractions within the surrounding area. I have dreamt of being able to attend and thrive at Pitt—now here I am! Clubs/Organizations: RxPrep |
Cristina Cortes-Coronell | Major: Public Health (major), French (minor), Chemistry (minor), Conceptual Foundations of Medicine (certificate) Home: Lancaster, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Soldiers and Sailors Lawn Why I Chose Pitt: I knew I wanted to go to school in a city that I could explore, and I felt that Pittsburgh was somewhere I would thrive. Clubs/Organizations: Latinx Student Association, SACNAS |
Sherdina Davis  | Major: Communication Home: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: O'Hara first floor is the perfect study space Why I Chose Pitt: I chose the University of Pittsburgh because it felt like the perfect blend of academic excellence, vibrant city life, and a strong sense of community. I could tell Pitt was a place where I'd be supported to grow not just as a student, but as a person. The university's commitment to innovation, equity, and real-world impact aligned with my values, and I knew I wanted to be part of that energy. Whether it's the opportunities for research, the network of driven students and faculty, or the pride that runs deep through Oakland, Pitt was the place for me. Clubs/Organizations: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Trio SSS Scholar |
Catalina Delgadillo  | Major: Neuroscience Home: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Favorite Place on Campus: Frick Fine Arts Why I Chose Pitt: The small city feeling, big campus, and friendly people! Clubs/Organizations: Latino Student Association |
Rachel Garcia | Major: Political Science and Environmental Studies Home: Levittown, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Student Office of Sustainability (WPU 510) Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because as soon as I stepped on campus it felt like home and I knew it would be an environment I would flourish in. When choosing Pitt I also valued the distance from home and the urban atmosphere that also allows me to partake in nature (Schenley Park is a 15 minute walk from center campus). Clubs/Organizations: Student Office of Sustainability, Women in Law, Phi Alpha Delta |
Kyrsta Girardi | Major: Civil Engineering with a Dance Minor and Certificate in Sustainability Hometown: Economy, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Trees Hall Why I Chose Pitt: I really liked the campus and proximity to the city, and everyone here seemed so kind and welcoming! I also came in undecided for my major so I liked that Pitt had a lot of options and opportunities for all of them. Clubs/Organizations: Pitt Dance Ensemble, Engineers for a Sustainable World, Theta Tau, American Society of Civil Engineers |
Katie Helwick | Major: Pharmacy Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: 35th floor of Cathy Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because of its great pharmacy program and all of the wonderful opportunities here. Clubs/Organizations: Kessler Scholar Leadership Board, RxPrep, Creative Medicine, STEP@Pitt, Food Recovery Heroes |
Hayden Hodges  | Major: Psychology Home: Southaven, Mississippi Favorite Place on Campus: Cathy Lobby Why I Chose Pitt: Pitt has wonderful programs for my major and so many opportunities that will help support my future with Psychology. Clubs/Organizations: Project 26 |
Kasey Kennedy | Major: Nursing Home: Butler, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Divvy Coffee! Why I Chose Pitt: I like being close to home and the nursing program is stellar! Clubs/Organizations: Kessler Scholars, Nursing Student Association (NSA), Alpha Epsilon Phi, Student Advisory Committee |
Lizzie McNichol | Major: Finance Home: Audubon, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Frick Fine Arts Building Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because I loved the balance between the city and the greenery on campus. I was also really impressed by all the opportunities they offered, and when I toured, I just knew it was the right school for me. Clubs/Organizations: Smart Woman Securities, Women's Club Soccer, Delta Sigma Pi |
Mariah Ortiz | Major: Psychology Home: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Frick Fine Arts Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because it was the first college that made me feel truly at home. From my first visit, I felt a strong sense of belonging and connection to the campus and community. It wasn't just about academics - it was about finding a place where I could grow, feel supported, and imagine building a real future. Pitt felt like more than a school; it felt like the beginning of the life I want to create. Clubs/Organizations: Archery Club, Outdoors Club, Yoga Club, Bridges, Provost Academy |
Kate Parker | Major: Psychology Home: Austin, Texas, and Queretaro, Mexico Favorite Place on Campus: Cathedral lawn Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because of its amazing research labs and strength in the clinical psychology field as well as its urban setting, which provides a ton of opportunities and always has somewhere new to explore! Clubs/Organizations: Kessler Scholars, TRIO McNair Scholars, Panther Connect Leaders, Provost Academy, Alpha Delta Pi |
Kevin Reed | Major: Mechanical Engineering Home: Washington, DC Favorite Place on Campus: Cathy Lawn Why I Chose Pitt: Pittsburgh was the perfect mix of not too close but not too far from home. After gaining my AA from George Washington, I was happy to know that my transfer credits would be accepted and the fact that I was previously acquainted with the open-campus feel. Clubs/Organizations: Pittsburgh Electric Propulsion (PEP), Pitt Men's Glee Club, National Residence Hall Honorary |
Jill Reeve  | Major: Biological Sciences and German Home: Lincoln, Rhode Island Favorite Place on Campus: Cathedral of Learning Why I Chose Pitt: I fell in love with the campus after I visited for the first time. Between that and the fact that it had school/sport spirit, a lively population, and was convenient to the city, I really just loved everything it had to offer! Clubs/Organizations: Heinz Chapel Choir and the Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review Board |
Bella Sinkfield  | Major: Finance and Global Management Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia Favorite Place on Campus: The grass on Schenley plaza with Asia Tea House in hand Why I Chose Pitt: The people are so kind and welcoming. I love the sports culture and academic balance. The business school is super underrated. Clubs/Organizations: Alpha Kappa Psi and Smart Woman Securities |
Jonathan Zhang | Major: Mechanical Engineering Home: Breinigsville, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Schenley Plaza Why I Chose Pitt: I chose Pitt because I loved the campus when I visited. Another aspect is the excellent engineering program and the resources it offers. Clubs/Organizations: Alpha Phi Omega, ASME, Provost Academy |
Jake Zheng | Major: Emergency Medicine Home: Butler, Pennsylvania Favorite Place on Campus: Student Success Hub Why I Chose Pitt: Pitt provided me a change of pace with it being a city campus with lots to do. It also has the additional benefit of being so close to hospitals that it works well with my future career plans. Clubs/Organizations: Badminton Club and Kessler Scholars |