Hillary Stitt named new program manager of Pitt-Bradford TRiO program

BRADFORD, PA – Hillary Stitt has been promoted from retention specialist to program manager of the TRiO Student Support Services program at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

TRiO SSS is a federally funded program that supports students who may have a difficult time succeeding in college, specifically those who are first-generation students, have a disability, or meet income-eligibility guidelines.

The program provides individual academic support through one-on-one guidance, leadership development, financial literacy education, and career and graduate school planning assistance.

As program manager, Stitt will oversee the work of a retention specialist and academic advisor, both of whom are in the process of being hired following the departure of Margot Myers, former program manager, and Laura Bierbower, academic advisor.

Stitt earned her Bachelor of Science in rehabilitation services from Pennsylvania State University in 2001, and a Master of Science degree in school counseling from the University of Scranton in 2005, when she joined the Pitt-Bradford TRiO program at its inception after a successful grant application. She lives in Bradford.

“My main goal is to make sure that my students have unconditional support and know they can come to somebody for help,” she said.

TRiO serves 160 students at Pitt-Bradford.

Stitt explained that during their time in the program, students take a series of one-credit courses that help tackle subjects appropriate to their standing, such as making the transition to college, exploring majors and understanding curriculum for freshmen.

For more information on TRiO, contact Stitt at (814)362-7563 or hbh3@pitt.edu.