Chancellor Gallagher’s remarks, as prepared for the University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees meeting on June 30, 2017, announcing the Pittsburgh Public Scholars program
In December, I signed an agreement alongside Dr. Quintin Bullock, president of the Community College of Allegheny County, and Dr. Anthony Hamlet, the superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools.
This agreement marked the launch of an unprecedented program called the Pittsburgh Admissions Collaboration.
As a reminder: This collaboration creates a clear and formal pathway for Pittsburgh Public School students to go to, get support for, and graduate from college. Launching this collaboration with Pittsburgh Public Schools and CCAC was one step in the right direction.
Today, we're taking another step.
Beginning in fall 2018—and as part of a new program called the Pittsburgh Public Scholars program—the University of Pittsburgh will offer all valedictorians and salutatorians in the Pittsburgh Public School System guaranteed admission to a Pitt campus of their choice.
These students, Pittsburgh Public Scholars, will receive a minimum of 2,000 dollars annually for up to four years. And, as part of this program, the University of Pittsburgh will also meet the full financial need of all Pittsburgh Public Scholars who are Pell Grant recipients.
This program advances our partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools and our role as a community leader. Equally important, it carves out yet another pathway to Pitt while ensuring that this pathway remains accessible and affordable for our city’s brightest students.
The Pittsburgh Public Scholars program is an investment in human talent. It's an investment in our city's youth, and it's an investment in our future.