By SHANNON O. WELLS

Belonging, welcoming, collaboration, opportunity, accessibility are among the words used to describe positive concepts commonly associated with the Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing’s Mini-Grant Program. 

That sense of encouragement even extends to submitted proposals that may miss the final cut in a given year.

“The program is competitive but intentionally supportive,” explained Zach Davis, Pitt’s director of engagement and wellbeing programs. “Because the grants are offered regularly, applicants who are not selected are encouraged to revise and reapply in a future cycle.”

And from that unintended pause, good ideas often become great ones.

“Many proposals improve significantly after feedback, and some initiatives are funded in later rounds once partnerships or logistics are further developed,” he noted. “Our goal is not only to select projects, but to help good ideas find a path forward, whether through a later application, collaboration or connection with other campus resources.”

The Mini-Grant Program, as its mission statement explains, was designed to support creative projects that “cultivate a sense of belonging, enhance communication and collaboration, and foster a culture of care, opportunity, accessibility and wellbeing on our campuses.”

“As a place-based institution,” Davis said, “Pitt strives to represent the communities we serve, expand opportunities, and increase engagement that positively impacts our University and the broader region.”

The grants reflect the University’s commitment to Pillar 3 of the strategic Plan for Pitt: “We will be welcoming and engaged” and embracing one or more of the following objectives:

• Represent the communities we serve and expand opportunities.

• Cultivate belonging and a welcoming culture.

• Be an employer of choice.

• Increase engagement across the communities we serve.

• Expand global engagement.

The program consistently draws vigorous interest, with about 30 proposals per cycle submitted online from students, faculty and staff across schools and departments, Davis noted. Each group is awarded $1,000.

The most recent cycle, which had a Feb. 6 deadline, brought in 33 proposals, which he said reflects “continued growth in awareness and engagement across the University community.”

The latest round of proposals highlights what Davis called a “wide range of ways wellbeing and connection can be cultivated” across a university community. The 10 proposals accepted this cycle include:

Second annual Symposium on Human Flourishing: Exploring Pathways to Thriving: Shifting from Deficit to Possibility — Deborah Moon, Faculty, School of Social Work. The symposium will convene interdisciplinary researchers, students, practitioners and community leaders to explore resilience, well-being and growth — particularly within marginalized communities — amid social, political and environmental challenges.

Bridging Stories and Action: Expanding Community-Driven Prison Literacy Initiatives — Milencia Saintus, Staff, Center on Race and Social Problems. The project mobilizes campus and community volunteers to pack and donate books to incarcerated individuals,

Campus Civic Commons: Dialogue, Debate, and Democratic Engagement at Pitt — Aqsa Owais, undergraduate, Student Government Board. A campus-wide civic discourse event will create structured, inclusive spaces for respectful dialogue amid polarization, misinformation, and bias.

Culture Fair — Caroline Guo, undergraduate, Asian Student Alliance. Annual, collaborative event celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander cultures through performances, fashion, food and dialogue, engaging up to 500 students and community members.

End Zone Summit — Leilani Cruz, undergraduate, National Society of Black Engineers. The summit is a student-led regional convening uniting National Society of Black Engineers chapters to foster connection, belonging, and skill-building for students, particularly those underrepresented in STEM.

Global Networking Trip to Washington, D.C. — Elaine Linn, staff, Global Studies Center. This annual two-day Washington, D.C., career networking trip connects about 50 Pitt students with professionals in government, international organizations, research and cultural institutions.

Global Tea Time: Connecting International Staff — Kyoungah Lee, staff, Office of Inclusion & Belonging. This event creates welcoming, low-barrier gatherings that address isolation and limited wellbeing resources experienced by international staff.

Queer Asia Pittsburgh film and dialogue series — Linda Lieu, staff, Asian Studies Center. Queer Asia Pittsburgh is a multi-event film and dialogue series connecting Pitt students with Pittsburgh’s queer Asian community through screenings, discussions, and partnerships with AQUARIUS and Jaded.

Staff Council Spring Assembly 2026: Navigating Change — Robert Slepsky, staff, Pitt Staff Council. Spring Assembly 2026 is a half-day staff conference focused on occupational wellbeing, adaptability and cross-unit connection amid evolving workplace expectations and technologies. Through interactive workshops, dialogue and resource sharing, staff will build practical strategies for navigating change, strengthening relationships and enhancing engagement.

The Village: A Retreat for Working Parents — Grace Drnach-Bonaventura, faculty, Pitt Parenting Community. This day-long program is designed to reduce isolation and support wellbeing among Pitt faculty and staff caregivers.

What stood out for Davis this round is the emphasis on recurring engagement — dialogue spaces, shared learning, cultural exchange, civic participation and community-based collaboration — rather than single-event programming.

“Many initiatives intentionally bring together people who might not otherwise interact, and create ongoing opportunities for relationship-building,” he said.  

Projects are evaluated using several core criteria, including:

Alignment: the extent to which the proposal advances one or more objectives of Plan for Pitt’s Pillar 3.

Engagement impact: Expected effectiveness in strengthening belonging, culture, communication, connection and wellbeing within the University community.

Collaboration: Degree to which the proposal promotes partnerships among faculty, staff and students or across departments, units, organizations or disciplines.

Sustainability: Extent to which the proposal demonstrates potential for continued engagement or long-term impact.

Matching Support: Inclusion of matching funds, shared resources or in-kind contributions that enhance the project’s reach and sustainability.

Audience Scope: Reach of the initiative, with preference given to projects that engage larger or multiple audiences across campus.

In administering and coordinating the program, Davis’ role includes developing the call for proposals, supporting applicants as they refine ideas, organizing the review process and helping funded initiatives move from concept to implementation. The selection process, however, is intentionally collaborative.

“Applications are reviewed by a cross-functional committee that includes staff from the Office of Institutional Engagement & Wellbeing, individuals representing employee resource groups and members of the University’s Inclusion Network.

“Bringing together perspectives from across campus helps ensure projects are evaluated for feasibility, impact and their ability to foster meaningful connection across the University community,” he said.

One of what Davis called the most “meaningful aspects” of the Pitt Wellbeing Mini-Grant program is how ideas “originate within the community itself,” he said. “Students, faculty and staff identify where connection is needed and design thoughtful, practical ways to build it.”

Even modest funding can create significant lasting impact.

“These projects often become sustained programs, partnerships or traditions that continue well beyond the grant period. Collectively, they help strengthen a campus culture where people feel connected, supported, and welcomed.”

Shannon O. Wells is a writer for the University Times. Reach him at shannonw@pitt.edu.

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