The University prepares its students to build lives of purpose, value and fulfilling work, and to be informed and engaged citizens in their communities; to recognize and respect diversity of culture, identity, and opinion; and to live sustainably
Chatham University was founded as the Pennsylvania Female College in 1869 to provide women with an education comparable to that which men could receive at “colleges of the first class”. While Chatham today provides education to all genders, they are as committed as ever to empowering women. They have been ranked in the top three nationwide for women’s leadership for various initiatives and centers. The Women’s Institute draws together the University’s programs and resources around women’s leadership and gender equality. The Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics works across disciplines and campus offices to provide leadership, civic engagement, policy related programs, training and special events for students at Chatham in addition to outreach across the Commonwealth. The Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship creates economic opportunities for women through entrepreneurial education and training, mentoring and networking. Students participating in the Women’s Leadership Living Learning Community live together in a renovated mansion and plan activities and events that promote women’s leadership and gender equity on campus and in the community.
A Haven of Exceptional Educational and Infrastructural Facilities
Chatham University is home to two of the most iconic campuses in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—one of America’s most livable cities and great college towns. Shadyside Campus is a 32-acre arboretum set in the middle of the city—a short walk to neighborhoods bustling with shops, cafes, and restaurants. Chatham is also home to Eden Hall Campus, nearly 400 acres just north of Pittsburgh. At Eden Hall, students live and work on a campus powered by renewable energy, explore research into sustainability and food, and experience boundless opportunities to connect with nature and the land.
Students pursue majors in the university’s four areas of excellence: sustainability, health & wellness, business & communications, and the arts & sciences. Chatham offers ways to minimize students’ time and cost investment without shortchanging their education, such as integrated degree programs, through which qualified students can earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in as few as five years.
The Visionary Leader Behind Chatham University
In March 2016, David Finegold, D. Phil was appointed the 19th President of Chatham University. Dr. Finegold has over 30 years of experience in higher education as a researcher, author, professor, academic dean, senior vice president and chief academic officer.
A renowned scholar and educational innovator, Dr. Finegold has dedicated his career to education reform, the design of high-performance organizations, and extensive comparative research on education and skill-creation systems from around the world.
Dr. Finegold led the development of Chatham University’s Strategic Plan in October 2017, focusing on enhancing academic excellence and the student experience; expanding leadership in sustainability and health; improving student access and affordability; deepening partnerships for student and alumni success; and building university capacity and capabilities.
Major Recognitions and Achievements
Chatham is recognized internationally as a leader in the field of sustainability, having been ranked in the top five nationally for sustainability achievements in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS) and selected as one of the Top 50 Green Colleges by The Princeton Review. The university has also been mentioned in a 2012 Forbes article as one of the places “contributing to Pittsburgh’s transformation into a destination for green living.”
Accomplished Alumni
The university has produced numerous graduates over the years who have achieved success in various walks of life. In 2010, Time magazine named Chatham’s most famous alumna, sustainability pioneer Rachel Carson ’29, one of the 25 most powerful women of the 20th century. Carson’s canonical book Silent Spring (1962) ignited the modern environmental movement.
Financial Assistance and Scholarships
Chatham gives out over $9 million in need- and merit-based financial aid to undergraduate students each year, including the Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award, the Heffer Family Scholarship for Women, the Vira I. Heinz Scholarship Program for Women in Global Leadership, and the Barbara Stone Hollander ’60 Student Leadership Award.
Career Opportunities and Exposures
The university offers varied exposures in terms of career exploration. Starting at the first-year orientation, students are exposed to behind-the-scenes operations at a variety of organizations by the alumnae/i, who may also serve as formal and informal mentors, offer shadowing experiences, and in many cases pave the way for internships and job opportunities.
