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Get the most interesting and important stories from the University of Pittsburgh.College offers students a chance to form their identities and experience new people and perspectives. Amid these growth opportunities, though, challenges will also arise — perhaps a heated debate over complicated subject matter in class or a tough conversation with a friend leaves you feeling powerless or unheard.
Keep reading to find four ways to continue conversations, voice your opinions and express yourself on the University of Pittsburgh campuses.
Register to attend Pitt's Year of Discourse and Dialogue capstone event from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, April 5.
Find a place for self-expression
Literary magazines are a platform for sharing written stories and other forms of artistic expression. Foster your creativity and bolster your resume by contributing to Collision Literary Magazine, a publisher of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and art from undergraduate students worldwide. Submissions have closed for the 2024 issue, but check the guidelines page for updates and information.
Other contenders include Cherry Bomb Literary Magazine (which is accepting leadership team applications for the fall semester) and Pitt Pulse, the University’s health and science magazine and podcast that publishes four times each academic year. Follow it on social media to find information for potential contributors.
Another publication to consider is Her Campus Pitt, a chapter of the national online magazine committed to empowering college women. You can gain editorial experience and course credits by writing about style, beauty, entertainment, money, careers and more. Learn more about the rolling application process and submit yours today.
Embark on a journalistic journey
If you thrive in a fast-paced environment with quick-turn deadlines, the role of newsroom journalist might be for you. The work entails serving as a trusted source by reporting on and writing campus stories about the people, news and culture that make Pitt, Pitt. Any student can apply to join The Pitt News, an award-winning daily newspaper that has been around since 1910, or enter its annual writing contest to have their work published. The Pitiful News, the University’s satirical newspaper, hosts weekly meetings at 9 p.m. Mondays in Cathedral of Learning Room 349.
Pitt’s regional campuses also have student-run newspapers. Pitt-Greensburg’s publication The Insider accepts editorial submissions year-round. In 2021, Pitt-Bradford launched Bradford Writes, an online publication that exclusively features exceptional essays from first-year students in its semiannual issues. The spring deadline is April 29.
Get civically engaged
Represent your fellow students as a member of the Student Government Board (SGB). Several positions on the cabinet and constitutional committees are open, so apply now.
Each SGB member and chair has allocated office hours to meet with and hear from their peers, so you don’t have to join the board to make an impact. Schedule time with a member today.
Learn more about covering policy with the Policy and Political Review, a nonpartisan academic journal for undergraduate students.
You can also take action with BridgePittsburgh, an organization that fosters civil political dialogue on campus, or join the next generation of activists combatting sexual violence with the Every Voice Coalition. Consider applying for next year’s Next Generation Leaders Fellowship.
Is writing not your thing?
You can figure out what is at the Center for Creativity, which offers no shortage of opportunities and outlets to explore self-expression. Check the calendar for open mics, art workshops and other events. Plus, if you’re seeking a creative community, join the Creators Collective, a network designed to connect artistic Pitt students.
— Kara Henderson, photography by Aimee Obidzinski