College of General Studies

Overview

The University of Pittsburgh College of General Studies promotes the cultural and economic ambitions of the region by providing undergraduate educational resources and opportunities for nontraditional students, lifelong learners, and other clients. CGS accomplishes this by offering professionally-oriented degree and non-degree programs as well as an extensive array of support services specifically tailored to the unique needs of adult learners.

Now in its 50th year, the College of General Studies remains a center of higher education with the goal of making the robust resources of a highly regarded research university available to everyone with the academic potential and curiosity to excel at the University of Pittsburgh. 

Through the Building Our Future Together Campaign, the College of General Studies hopes to secure the funding necessary to endow the associate dean position; increase the number of needs-based scholarships we offer to our students; invest in educational technology to improve the access to and quality of the programs we offer; and, expand the scope and scale of student-centered services and opportunities we provide to include such offerings as child care, integrated study abroad field trips, outreach and networking events, and specialized tutoring.

To learn more about the College of General Studies, please visit: www.cgs.pitt.edu.

Donor Profile: F. James McCarl III

Opportunities to correct the past may not always be easy to acquire, but F. James McCarl III found redemption at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to graduating from Pitt in 1973 from the College of General Studies, McCarl attended the University of Virginia. While there on a football scholarship, McCarl lost sight of balancing a relationship between athletics and academics. Looking for an alternative, he approached numerous universities, none of which were willing to look beyond academic faults. Pitt; however, saw potential in McCarl and allowed him to attend night classes while on academic probation. “Pitt gave me a second chance. I am thankful for the opportunity they provided me.”

In the years following the completion of his academic career at Pitt, McCarl went on to become the founder and president of the McCarl Group, a success strategy management consultancy in Hilton Head, SC. In addition, he is also the Chairman of the Board and investor at Gateway Bank in McMurray, PA. Due to the generosity that Pitt extended to McCarl, he wanted to reciprocate that same kindness. As a result, in collaboration with his son, Foster J.J. McCarl (CGS 98’), the McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success was established.

At the McCarl Center, students from the college of general studies are presented with the opportunity to meet with colleagues, academic advisors, and potential employers. They are provided access to staff that help nontraditional students get acclimated to being back in school, explore different majors and careers, as well as job search techniques. Returning to college as a nontraditional student can be intimidating, but McCarl has experienced first hand how beneficial it can be. The McCarl Center is his way of giving other students a second chance; just as Pitt had done for him.

“Look at what a difference getting an education can make. When I was in my 20s, I was in night classes with people ranging in age from 40-70," said McCarl. "Being around life long learners was inspiring. The knowledge you learn ends up being the toolkit for future success.”