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Get the most interesting and important stories from the University of Pittsburgh.The Pennsylvania General Assembly’s Performance-Based Funding Council came to the University’s Pittsburgh campus on Wednesday to hear directly from students and administrators about the value of a Pitt education and the importance of state funding in helping the University accomplish its mission.
Established in 2024 and tasked with developing a new performance-based funding model for the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, and Temple universities, the council comprises administrators from each school as well as five voting members from state government: Reps. Jesse Topper and Peter Schweyer, Sens. Jay Costa and Wayne Langerholc, and Acting Secretary of Education Angela Fitterer.
Pitt’s council representative is Dwayne Pinkney, senior vice chancellor for administration and finance and chief financial officer. During the hearing Wednesday morning in Posvar Hall — the last on-campus hearing held by the council — Pinkney testified that Pitt believes it is critically important that a funding model for the state’s related universities align with Pennsylvania’s strategic direction and priorities.
Pinkney also emphasized the importance of designing a funding model that incentivizes performance and helps Pennsylvania compete in attracting and retaining talent. He highlighted the need for higher education to align more closely with the state’s economic goals to ensure the commonwealth’s workforce remains strong in today’s dynamic and global environment.
“Like the council, Pitt takes seriously the public’s concerns and the current questions regarding the value of a college degree,” he said. “This is why performance matters. We need to demonstrate that we are focused on outcomes — success factors like graduation rates, persistence, degree production and placement rates. Sustaining excellence in these areas will promote public confidence that higher education is focused on the right things and that we are fulfilling our primary missions.”
The hearing also featured testimony from Kellie Kane, Pitt’s associate vice provost for enrollment and executive director of admissions; Jamie Gilligan, a Pitt nursing student; Emilia Matucci, executive director of the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association; and Tim Jones, senior vice chancellor of finance and administration and CFO for the Board of Governors with the State University System of Florida.
A common theme of the hearing was Pitt’s crucial role in driving economic growth and solving the state’s workforce challenges both in Western Pennsylvania and across the commonwealth.
“We take a proactive approach to recruiting, enrolling and guiding students not just toward their interests but also toward high-impact careers — many of which align with Pennsylvania’s workforce needs,” Kane said during her testimony. “Pitt helps students explore fields with strong job placement rates and areas of need for Pennsylvania businesses such as health care, cybersecurity, engineering, education and business.”
Gilligan spoke about the University’s significant impact on her academic and personal journey.
“Pennsylvania is facing a growing need for skilled health care professionals, and I’m committed to being a part of the solution,” Gilligan testified. “After graduating, I plan to stay in the state and work as a nurse, helping to address the demand for health care professionals in our hospitals and our communities.”
The council is expected to deliver its recommendations to Gov. Josh Shapiro and the General Assembly by April 30.
Photography by Tom Altany