University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

Overview

The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg was established in 1963 on 219 wooded acres in Westmoreland County. This safe campus gives students the chance to achieve advanced degrees without safety concerns. As a primarily commuter-style campus, Pitt-Greensburg is a four-year college within the University of Pittsburgh system.

Pitt-Greensburg offers 20 degree programs and numerous pre-professional programs. Approximately 1,800 students are taught by qualified faculty, creating an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Student Impact Profile

Katie Kushner

Senior management major and psychology minor Katie Kushner has always known that she wants to be the boss some day. Growing up in Port Vue, Pa., Kushner attended South Allegheny Middle/Senior High School, where she took her academics very seriously. Therefore, when she began her college search and ultimately chose the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, she knew that decision would shape her future.

To Kushner, Pitt-Greensburg is “a friendly environment where you know everybody.” She likes having classes that are sized more like high school, thus giving students more one-on-one time with their professors.

However, Kushner does more than just study and says that one of her favorite aspects of Pitt-Greensburg is the multitude of different activities available to students. “It just gives you a chance to meet more people,” she says. She is currently secretary of the Circle K International club at Pitt-Greensburg, with which she often volunteers on campus and in the Greensburg area. Kushner was also a member of the Pitt-Greensburg cheerleading squad for 2 years. “Being on a team, it lets you meet more people,” she says. She also served as a senator for the student government. “It was a really great leadership role to have,” she says, and it gave her an opportunity to exercise her management skills.

In addition to extra-curricular activities, Kushner has also worked for the past four semesters as a Pitt Pal in the admissions office at Pitt-Greensburg. As a tour guide and office assistant, she says this has been a great way for her to meet prospective students and incoming freshmen, and that she even recognizes some of them when they return for summer programs. “You can’t go wrong meeting people,” Kushner says.

Kushner continues to represent the campus in yet another facet as a Presidential Ambassador, for which she was nominated by two professors in her sophomore year. With this responsibility she represents President Smith at events like commencement and through giving tours.

During the spring 2008 semester, Kushner interned at Hoffman Insurance Agency with Will Hoffman, a financial planner and current president of the Alumni Association at Pitt-Greensburg. There Kushner said she learned a lot about the stock market and working with clients, and she received many helpful tips from Hoffman. Although she had not previously considered this line of work, Kushner valued her experience working with a Pitt alumnus and hopes to continue that relationship in the future.

Kushner plans to studying business in graduate school but might get some work experience first. Kushner is sure of one thing, though: she will work her way to the top.

Contact Us

Jodi Kraisinger

Director of University Relations and Institutional Advancement
Office: Lynch Hall
Phone: 724-836-9942
E-mail: kraising@pitt.edu

Jodi Kraisinger joined the University in August of 2004. As the Director of University Relations and Institutional Advancement, the work she oversees at Pitt-Greensburg includes the capital campaign, annual, major and planned giving, foundation and corporation support, constituent development, prospect research, advancement services, development communication, donor relations, and alumni relations. She works closely with the development and alumni coordinators. Additionally, she serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet. Ms. Kraisinger earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication from Saint Vincent College with an additional concentration on public relations and advertising.

Emily Hayburn

Coordinator of Development
Office: Lynch Hall
Phone: 724-836-7039
E-mail: emh37@pitt.edu

Emily joined the University in April of 2006. She brings five years of experience from working in the not-for-profit sector and development to Pitt-Greensburg. As the Coordinator of Development, Ms. Hayburn manages a portfolio of major gift donors and their philanthropic relationships with the University. Additionally, Ms. Hayburn coordinates the securing of corporate and individual sponsorships for major fund-raising events on campus. Ms. Hayburn holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University.