As artificial intelligence, automation, and digital innovation transform every industry, the University of Pittsburgh School of Business, home of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, is committed to preparing students who can lead at the intersection of business and technology.
That commitment was on full display when six Pitt students received scholarships to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) in Chicago—the world’s largest gathering of women and nonbinary technologists. These students are Skyler Guo (MS+BA ’26), Kashish Gupta (MBA/MS ’26), Azure Hsaio (MS+BA ’25), Manshita Singhal (MS+BA ’25), Anvita Vasant (MS ’25), and Revati Wankheder (MS+BA ’25).
The scholarships, funded by a Pitt alum who wishes to remain anonymous, enabled students to attend a conference that has launched thousands of tech-driven careers. Thanks to his generosity, students will be able to apply for the scholarships for three additional years.
For the Pitt students who attended, the event was a turning point.
“The conversations about positioning my background and learning about initiatives that organizations are investing in, like agentic AI applications, design thinking, and combining analytics with business operations, gave me clarity on my career path,” says Wankhede.
Hsiao echoed Wankhede’s thoughts, saying, “It gave me a clearer vision of how I want to use analytics to drive meaningful innovation, and what my next steps should be to reach my career goals. I also connected with professionals who offered great advice on growing a career in data analytics.”
Their collective message was one of appreciation and inspiration.
“The scholarship made it possible for me to attend such a large, meaningful conference,” says Guo. “It helped me broaden my perspective, clarify my career direction, and hear guidance from experienced professionals in the industry.”
Singhal called the scholarship extremely impactful. “Without it, attending would have been unlikely,” she says. “I genuinely believe this event has shifted my career direction and expanded my professional network.”
Committed to Developing Tech-Forward Business Leaders
Pitt’s School of Business has always been at the forefront of technological changes impacting the business world. This is evident in the classroom, through connections with the broader business community, and in the experiential learning opportunities it offers students.
The Pitt Business Impact Conference on AI and Health will take place on February 27, 2026, at the University Club. The conference will showcase how AI can be a vehicle for innovation and scalability across clinical care, ethics, operations, and commercial impact, and is the second Impact Series Conference offered by Pitt Business. Last year, the Pitt Business Impact Conference on Artificial Intelligence featured over 25 industry experts and was attended by more than 150 academic, business, and technology leaders.
For the past five years, students have had the opportunity to compete in the TL Saaty Decision Making for Leaders Hackathon. In 2025, the students were challenged to design systems where AI agents handle the data-gathering and analysis, while decision frameworks like AHP and ANP provide the strategic logic to act on it.
This emphasis on cutting-edge skills is part of the reason students choose Pitt Business.
Singhal (MS + BA ’25), one of the scholarship recipients for the GHC, says, “The best part of attending Katz has been the balance between analytical rigor and real-world application. Courses, group projects, and industry-facing work have strengthened my technical skills while helping me think strategically about business problems.”
Expanded Academic Offerings
Pitt Business knows the days of separating tech from strategy are over.
The School of Business is expanding its academic portfolio with a set of forward-looking programs designed to prepare students for the rapidly evolving intersection of business, technology, and data-driven decision-making. These graduate credentials emphasize practical skills, workforce relevance, and the foundational knowledge needed in modern business environments.
At the graduate level, the two new credentials are the Micro-Credential in Foundations of AI for Business (9 credits) and the Certificate in Foundations of AI for Business (15 credits).
These programs introduce learners to fundamental competencies related to the application of AI in business, with an emphasis on analytics-driven decision-making, transformational business operations, and responsible use. Together, these programs reflect the School of Business’s commitment to preparing students for a marketplace transformed by technology, analytics, and innovation.
Accelerate Your Career
At Pitt Business, we help students find the graduate program that is best tailored to their individual academic and career goals, providing the highest possible return on investment. Options for an MBA include two full-time formats: a 12-month accelerated format and an 18-month format. Students can also choose a flexible part-time format or dual/joint MBA degree options. Our specialty master’s degrees include MS degrees in Accounting, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing Science, and Supply Chain Management. Click here to request more information.