2026 Leadership and Service Awards

Applications open for the 2026 Leadership and Service Awards

The Graduate and Professional Student Government’s Leadership and Service Award seeks to recognize current University of Pittsburgh graduate and professional students for their service or leadership to the University of Pittsburgh, the surrounding community, and to the world at large. By creating this award, GPSG aims to make service by graduate and professional students more visible and valued on campus and to honor those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service. Awardees will receive a $250 grant that can be used towards reimbursement of academic expenses or purchases at the University Store. Additionally, awardees will be honored at a leadership recognition event on the afternoon of April 16.

All applications must be submitted by February 13, 2026.

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Applications Include:

Two (2) Personal Essays (limited to 500 words each)
- Please describe your leadership and/or service to the University of Pittsburgh, an organization, or the local or global community
- Please discuss the motivation and/or philosophy that underlines your leadership and/or service.
Two (2) Letters of Support (Applicants should first submit their portion of the application. Links to upload letters of support will be sent directly to the email addresses listed in their form. Letters of support must be received by February 13, 2026.
- 1. Mentor – please upload a letter addressed to the “Leadership and Service Award Committee” from a mentor who is familiar with your leadership and service. This could be an advisor, a professor, or a leader in an organization with which you are involved. This is a letter of recommendation. There is no required length or format.
- 2. Peer – please upload =a letter addressed to the “Leadership and Service Award Committee” from a peer who is familiar with your leadership and service. This could be a friend, another member/participant, or leader in an organization with which you are involved. This is a letter of recommendation. There is no required length or format.