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AI Literacy & Writing in the Workplace
| Program: | Technology Learning, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Patrick Manning, Outreach Director The Writing Center |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 12/10/2026 |
| Time: | 10:00AM - 12:00PM |
This workshop explores how GenAI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, etc) can be used to support workplace writing. The workshop will discuss what GenAI is, how it can be used ethically and effectively, research about GenAI in workplace writing, and practical applications for its use. Time will be given for questions and discussion.
(New!) Choosing and Using Pitt’s AI Tools
| Program: | Technology Learning, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Victoria Lancaster, Executive Director, AI Service Delivery Pitt Digital |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 11/20/2026 |
| Time: | 10:00AM - 11:30AM |
With several AI tools available at Pitt, how do you know which one to use? This interactive course introduces Pitt’s AI offerings and provides practical tips for selecting a tool, improving prompts, and getting more useful and reliable results. We will also take a look at the changes coming to AI at Pitt and understanding the differences in multiple AI environments.
Customer Service for Success
| Program: | Administrative Professionals Certificate Program, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Malia Lazor, Learning and Development Specialist Laura Ainsley, Manager, Leadership Development Organization Development |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 12/2/2026 |
| Time: | 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
In any position we hold, our personal success has much to do with our orientation and commitment to serving others. This workshop guides and empowers participants in exploring exactly who their customers are, discovering what “customer service” means in their roles, and identifying opportunities to meet customer needs through listening, empathy, adaptability, and a cooperative, solution-focused approach. Participants will grow in their individual understanding of the value and impacts of customer service best practices and identify opportunities to apply customer-facing strategies to their own roles to increase personal professional success.
Data Literacy for the Workplace 101
| Program: | Technology Learning, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Sarah Vinski, Data Enablement Leader Pitt Digital |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 11/12/2026 |
| Time: | 10:00AM - 11:30AM |
Do you believe you have what it takes to use data? You might be surprised to discover that you do! This beginner-friendly workshop is designed to show you that harnessing the power of data doesn’t require technical expertise. We’ll go through why it’s important to use data, the types of data you may work with, examples of simple analysis, and some of the resources available at Pitt.
Effective Interpersonal Communication
| Program: | Administrative Professionals Certificate Program, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Malia Lazor, Learning and Development Specialist Laura Ainsley, Manager, Leadership Development Organization Development |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 12/1/2026 |
| Time: | 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
Communicating and listening effectively in the workplace is critical to your organization’s success. Participants will review different ways to communicate with and actively listen to any individual. Participants will learn their preferred way to communicate and how to adjust it based on the other person.
(New!) Flourishing at Work in Higher Ed
| Program: | Healthy U, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | David Sanchez, Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Swanson School of Engineering Associate Director, Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation Provost Faculty Fellow Grant Martsolf, Professor, Department of Acute & Tertiary Care, School of Nursing Senior Fellow, Institute for Family Studies Core Faculty, Institute for Bioethics |
| Workshop Type: | In-person |
| Date: | 12/9/2026 |
| Time: | 10:00AM - 11:30AM |
| Location Name: | 342 Craig Hall |
| Location Address: | 200 S Craig St, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 |
Join faculty members David Sanchez (Swanson School of Engineering) and Grant Martsolf (School of Nursing) for a conversation on the role work plays in a flourishing life. We'll explore some of the goods that constitute flourishing — such as meaning, moral affirmation, and agency — how features of work in higher education can either support or undermine them, and practical habits for helping academic work contribute to flourishing rather than hinder it. Discussion will draw on examples and challenges specific to academic life, making this workshop especially relevant for University faculty and staff.
Getting Started with Digital Accessibility
| Program: | Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Kara Terry, Digital Accessibility Coordinator Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 11/17/2026 |
| Time: | 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
The goal of digital accessibility is that all members of the Pitt community are able to freely, independently, and easily access resources and materials. Many have never heard of digital accessibility and don’t know how to make that goal a reality. In this workshop we will explore fundamental principles of accessibility and how they impact people with disabilities as well as how to create more accessible content in Microsoft Office products (Word and PowerPoint). Participants will learn easy, practical skills that they can begin implementing immediately.
Introduction to Financial Management for Administrators
| Program: | Administrative Professionals Certificate Program, University Business, Human Resources, and Financial Services, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Cassie Brenner, Project Director, Finance and Operations Heather Lego, Director, Pitt Digital Melissa Frisiras, Assistant Director, Purchasing Services Tammy Flack, Payroll Operations Manager Christine Comulada, Risk & Insurance Analyst William Watkins, Operations and Compliance Specialist, Payment Processing & Compliance |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 11/18/2026 |
| Time: | 10:00AM - 12:00PM |
How does the university fund its operations? What does Pitt’s budget look like? What is the role of a financial administrator/manager in the university’s budget process and monitoring the use of funds? This course will answer these questions and provide a unique glimpse of how money moves and the budget process at the University of Pittsburgh.
This course is designed for financial administrators, business managers, Directors of Administration, and other staff and faculty who have budget and financial responsibilities and want to learn more about how their role fits into the university’s budget process. The training will provide an overview of:
• Key elements of the university’s budget
• The budget formulation process and an overview of the university’s Budget ReSTART model
• The budget execution process, including how to monitor budget results, how to utilize the various financial systems, and an overview of critical financial operations such as Purchase, Pay & Travel, and Payroll
• Enterprise Risk Management functions and Resources
This course will provide attendees with an introduction to financial management and resources to find additional information.
Problem Solving Skills for the Workplace
| Program: | Administrative Professionals Certificate Program, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Malia Lazor, Learning and Development Specialist Organization Development |
| Workshop Type: | In-person |
| Date: | 11/18/2026 |
| Time: | 10:00AM - 12:00PM |
| Location Name: | 342 Craig Hall |
| Location Address: | 200 S Craig St, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 |
This workshop will provide participants with an overview of how to identify, approach and, solve problems creatively and effectively in the workplace. The facilitator will use interactive skill-building exercises to guide participants through the stages of the problem-solving process using specific examples of problems. Participants will learn the process from defining the problem through making an appropriate recommendation to solve the problem. The objective of this workshop is to allow participants to feel prepared to find their own solutions to problems they uncover in their work environment.
Problem Solving Skills for the Workplace
| Program: | Administrative Professionals Certificate Program, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Malia Lazor, Learning and Development Specialist Laura Ainsley, Manager, Leadership Development Organization Development |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 12/10/2026 |
| Time: | 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
This workshop will provide participants with an overview of how to identify, approach and, solve problems creatively and effectively in the workplace. The facilitator will use interactive skill-building exercises to guide participants through the stages of the problem-solving process using specific examples of problems. Participants will learn the process from defining the problem through making an appropriate recommendation to solve the problem. The objective of this workshop is to allow participants to feel prepared to find their own solutions to problems they uncover in their work environment.
Strategies for Success in Professional Correspondence
| Program: | Administrative Professionals Certificate Program, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Patrick Manning, Outreach Director The Writing Center |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 11/16/2026 |
| Time: | 9:00AM - 11:00AM |
Do you want to make sure the recipients of your professional correspondence understand--and efficiently act on--requests or instructions within an email, letter, or memo?" This workshop is designed to provide faculty and staff with strategies for writing effective emails, letters, and memos. The session will cover email etiquette, how best to address correspondence to various audiences, and how to most effectively include information and instructions within correspondence. Participants will leave this session with a list of useful references and other handouts to use towards best outcomes when corresponding with faculty, students, supervisors, applicants, customers, and colleagues.
Time Management
| Program: | Administrative Professionals Certificate Program, Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Malia Lazor, Learning and Development Specialist Laura Ainsley, Manager, Leadership Development Organization Development |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 12/15/2026 |
| Time: | 1:00PM - 3:00PM |
There is not a one size fits all solution for better time management. What works for one, may never work for another. This workshop provides time management techniques, helps participants identify priorities, and instructs how to remove obstacles to managing time. Through pre-work, participants will identify the tools most effective to their individual style.
(New!) Understanding Neurodiversity
| Program: | Workplace Knowledge and Skills |
| Presenter: | Tracy Grieve-Martin LifeSolutions |
| Workshop Type: | Virtual |
| Date: | 11/19/2026 |
| Time: | 10:00AM - 11:00AM |
Neurodiversity is the idea that people experience and interact with the world in many different ways—there is no “right” way of thinking, learning, or behaving, and many differences are not deficits. In this informative workshop we’ll learn what it means to be neurodivergent, determine how to support neurodivergent individuals, and explore how to create opportunities for success.