Welcome to the Pitt EXCEL Program

The Pitt EXCEL Program is a comprehensive undergraduate diversity program committed to the recruitment, retention, and graduation of academically excellent engineering undergraduates, particularly individuals from groups historically underrepresented in the field. Over 250 students participate in Pitt EXCEL and have access to academic counseling, peer mentoring, tutoring , engineering research, graduate school preparation and career development workshops, as well as a two-week intensive study skills, math and science review session for pre-freshmen. Explore our website to learn more about how we accomplish that mission.

Goals of the Pitt EXCEL Program:

• Collaborate with the INVESTING NOW program, the First Year Engineering Office, and the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid in order to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups enrolled in the Swanson School of Engineering.
• Provide students with support activities and enrichment opportunities that will make them marketable to corporations and graduate schools.
• Provide community building activities that will help to develop a supportive and diverse peer network.

Services offered to Pitt EXCEL students include:

Summer Engineering Academy
SEA's main goal is to help students make the adjustment to the demands of college life and prepare them for the rigors of an engineering curriculum.

Academic Counseling
EXCEL students will meet one-on-one with an EXCEL academic counselor on a bi-weekly basis to discuss strategies to maximize their academic potential. Students are also encouraged to talk about any personal, financial, and career related concerns that may hinder their academic achievement.

Summer Research Internship (SRI)
SRI focuses on the preparation of underrepresented students for graduate education and professional careers in engineering. The goals of the program are to identify motivated students and match them with faculty mentors. The mentors assist the students through the completion of a summer research project.