Academic Community
When we talk about academic community, we’re talking about all of the co- and extra-curricular activities we sponsor in the University Honors College (UHC). It’s about having fun, but it’s also about meeting new people, getting involved in activities, taking advantage of the city, and learning about yourself. Most importantly, it’s about learning from each other. When you surround yourself with interesting people, you’re bound to learn something new, gain a new perspective, or even challenge some old beliefs. If nothing else, you’ll meet some amazing friends.
Student Honors Activities Council
There are many ways students can get involved in UHC. The Student Honors Activities Council (SHAC) is the main programming body of the honors college. SHAC represents UHC students and provides a wide range of activities throughout the academic year. SHAC sponsors social events such as the fall formal, cultural activities that take advantage of Pittsburgh’s dynamic cultural district, recreational events such as football and basketball tournaments, and of course intellectual events where you can learn something and maybe even meet some of your faculty.
Publications
UHC also sponsors a number of student publications. Each of the publications has a different focus; from the creative nonfiction of Collision to the political commentary of the Pitt Political Review, there’s something for everyone. The Three Rivers Review provides a forum for traditional undergraduate literature, and the Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review is a peer-reviewed journal of analytical and scholarly essays. The publications are completely student-run—all contributors and editors are Pitt students who have an interest in their particular publication.
Student groups
In addition to SHAC and the publications, we sponsor a number of student groups representing a variety of interests. The University mock trial team has experienced great success in recent years, and the academic quiz bowl team competes throughout the academic year. We sponsor a number of book clubs, including the popular Pizza and Plays and Pizza and Prose series.
Most importantly, academic community thrives in UHC because of the students who participate. UHC is a place that encourages student initiative, and all of the programs, organizations, publications, and activities you’ll read about here are the result of UHC students. We make initiative happen, and we hope our students will come to us with the excitement, ideas, and energy to continue this great tradition of community development.
