10 Pitt staffers earned Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Awards

Ten University of Pittsburgh staffers have been honored with the 2025 Chancellor's Distinguished Service Awards for Staff. These annual accolades recognize employees whose work demonstrates exceptional dedication to the University community and reflects Pitt's spirit of possibility.

Recipients were selected across categories recognizing innovation, mentorship, student impact, research support, community engagement and outstanding career achievement. Each honoree receives a $2,500 prize and will be recognized at a Feb. 17 reception. Winners' names will also be added to a permanent plaque displayed in the William Pitt Union.

Here are this year's winners by category:

Community Engagement

Erin Schuetz

School of Public Health

Recognized for dedication in "making their community a better place to live and to improving the quality of life for others," including as vice president of the Riverview School District Board of School and founder of the nonprofit Catelynn's Kindness. Schuetz also represents her colleagues as a member of Staff Council and the School of Public Health Staff Committee.

Exceptional Early Career Achievement

Jorden King

School of Education

Recognized for "helping to ensure student belonging and success" through a suite of School of Education programs, including "transforming [the] Student Ambassador Program into one that better serves both participants and prospective students."

Commitment to Engagement and Wellbeing

Zach Davis

Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing

Recognized for drawing on personal experiences to inform his "exceptional leadership in fostering welcoming environments" across Pitt. Davis chairs Staff Council's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee and represents Staff Council on Pitt's LGBTQIA+ Steering Committee and the Board of Trustees Wellbeing Committee.

Excellent Mentor

Emily Bell

Finance and Operations

Recognized for serving as a role model and mentor to staff colleagues, helping them to develop and improve their skills, including through "demonstrating a personal investment" in the professional development of colleagues and "serving as a valuable resource of institutional knowledge."

Shallegra Moye

School of Education

Moye also received the Excellent Mentor honor this year for supporting staff colleagues as well as "extending [her] passion for mentorship to students and colleagues outside the University."

Innovation in Advancing Administrative and Operational Efficiency

Heather Lego

Pitt Digital

Recognized for "exceptional contributions toward effectiveness and efficiency in the workplace" by helping Finance and Operations simplify processes and "ensuring that key institutional data is more accessible" to people making business decisions across the University.

Outstanding Career Achievement

Ruth Mullen

Facilities Management

This award honors a staff member with more than 20 years of unparalleled service to the University. Mullen is recognized for "raising and embodying the standard of professionalism that we should expect of all staff across Pitt" and "serving as a trusted and capable mentor to your colleagues and friend to all whom you encounter."

Research Support

Heide Eash

Office of Sponsored Programs

Recognized for advancing Pitt's research efforts by "co-creating, leading and developing a Federal Contract Services team that skillfully navigates an ever-evolving funding landscape," helping to ensure the University is able to conduct lifesaving and life-changing research.

Student Impact

Carrie Benson

Office of Institutional Engagement and Wellbeing

Recognized for contributions that help Pitt students succeed and grow as individuals, including "cultivating a culture of support and respect for student survivors of sexual violence" and "empowering student workers to take initiative and actively contribute to this culture."

University Engagement

Suzanne Lynch

University Center for Teaching and Learning

This award recognizes a staff member for exemplary participation in volunteer activities within Pitt. Lynch received the honor for leveraging her experience as a new mother "to help improve and expand lactation resources across the University, along with securing more support for staff members who are parents." Lynch also serves as vice president of finance for Staff Council, representing the group on the Board of Trustees Finance and Budget committee, University Senate Budget Policies committee and University Planning and Budget committee.