Message from the Dean

To our Swanson School community,

The Swanson School of Engineering has reached a pivotal moment. In 2026, we celebrate 180 years since the first engineers graduated from the University of Pittsburgh - a milestone that invites us not only to honor our history but to define the trajectory ahead. That is precisely what our new strategic plan, Bridging People, Innovation and Possibility, is designed to do.

Developed with input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and industry partners, the plan is built on four pillars: Champion Student Success, Ignite Research and Innovation, Spearhead Partner Engagement, and Mobilize Collective Excellence. Together, these pillars reflect our commitment to preparing students for the challenges of a rapidly evolving world, advancing research that addresses society’s most pressing needs, and strengthening the partnerships that amplify our impact.

The foundation is strong. Our research expenditures reached $63.5 million in FY25, our faculty produced 41 patents - representing 38 percent of the university’s total - and 63 startups have emerged from Swanson School innovations. Our students continue to distinguish themselves, with 34 percent participating in co-ops and 96 percent working in industry or attending graduate school after graduation. These are not aspirational numbers. They are the baseline from which we intend to grow.

As engineers, we build things that endure. The strategic plan is our blueprint for the next chapter - one that will require the talent, creativity, and commitment of everyone in our community. I invite you to be part of it.

Sincerely,
Michele V. Manuel, PhD
U. S. Steel Dean of Engineering
American Society of Metals, Fellow
National Academy of Engineering, Member