We want to help increase our student success through personal connections.  This is seen in one of our biggest strengths, maintaining small classroom sizes; where students are a name, not a number, and where professors can not only teach but build relationships, become mentors, references, and lifelong contacts for our students.  We also want to be attentive to our students’ essential requirements and provide support when it is needed most.  That support comes in the form of expanding our mental health services to be more than just one-on-one counseling, but to include support groups and wellness training, and to provide our students with disabilities vital support. This responsiveness ensures that students don't fall through institutional cracks but instead receive timely, personalized support that keeps them engaged and progressing towards graduation. There is also an emphasis on academic support through the Academic Success Center, tutoring, and personalized advising.  

One of the main ways we have attempted to succeed in our goal of Real-World preparedness is by expanding our Office of Career Services. We are engaging our students from the moment they step on campus to make sure they are on the correct path to achieve their career goals, not just helping them write a resume the last semester before graduation. This includes individualized guidance tailored to each students’ interests and goals and a focus on internships, applied learning, and clear career pathways. Much of this is accomplished through our faculty and staff taking the time to understand each student’s aspirations and connecting them with relevant opportunities.  We are looking to turn our graduates into professions who are genuinely ready for life in the real world.  

Creating a truly welcoming campus means more than just being friendly—it requires intentional effort to ensure every student feels they belong. The strategic plan's commitment to cultivating a "Welcoming, Inviting and Safe Environment" (WISE) reflects Pitt-Johnstown’s understanding that students struggle to succeed academically if they don't feel comfortable and that they belong. This welcoming atmosphere shows up in concrete ways: residential learning communities where students build genuine friendships, expanded mental health support so students get the help they need, and proactive efforts to recruit and support students from all backgrounds including international students from around the world. 

We place major emphasis on helping students feel connected to campus life. Expanding Greek life, intramurals, club sports, Athletics, and E-Sports programs gives students multiple ways to find ‘their people’ and build community. We are constantly trying to create more opportunities for leadership and engagement to provide a means for students to discover where they fit and what they are passionate about. Creating comfortable study spaces, recreational areas in dorms, and a more vibrant Student Union to act as a campus hub, all serve the same purpose: giving students places to gather, connect, and feel like they are a part of something special.

Up-close-and-personal Care, Attentiveness, Responsiveness, and Engagement are not merely marketing strategies, they are an operational philosophy that persists from top to bottom at Pitt-Johnstown. By investing in personal relationships and individualized attention, we distinguish ourselves from larger institution and look to achieve greater outcomes for our students.

Some of the key staff members in initiating our C.A.R.E priorities are our Residence Life staff. When asked, Brandon Rager, Director of Residence Life, had this to say: In addition to my primary role, I advise students pursuing competitive scholarships and fellowships at Pitt Johnstown. I strive to be fully present for students by listening closely, responding promptly, and offering guidance that is personal and grounded in their goals and challenges. Whether I am supporting a resident through a concern or mentoring a student through an intensive application process, I want every student to feel valued, supported, and understood. I place emphasis on the learning and development that occurs throughout the entire application experience, helping students recognize growth, build skills, and gain confidence in every step of the process. Providing this kind of personalized support helps students feel prepared, empowered, and capable of navigating challenges both inside and outside the classroom. I take pride in fostering these connections and consider it a privilege to support students as they grow, succeed, and embrace new opportunities.