There’s a lot to love about Pittsburgh, from its stunning historic architecture and beautiful rivers, to world-class art museums, a growing job market, affordable housing and plenty of opportunities for education. The quality of life is so good in fact, the city was recently ranked the second-most livable city in the continental United States by the Economist Magazine Intelligence Unit.
“We enjoy the best of all worlds,” said Gretchen Mullin-Sawicki, North campus president, Community College of Allegheny County, “and one of our most important assets is access to education in North Pittsburgh and throughout the city. We are extremely fortunate to have 29 colleges and universities with distinguished curriculums and missions.”
One of the largest multi-campuses in Pennsylvania, Community College of Allegheny County North has nearly 6,000 students and the college is the second largest community college in Pennsylvania. The college is deeply vested in student well-being and success, even providing transportation to its North Campus and food pantries at its campus locations.
“We recently started our own shuttle service, one that picks up students and brings them to classes,” Mullin-Sawicki said. “The shuttles run Monday through Thursday, and we’ve had very good participation. We recently started a food pantry, too. We’re trying to cover as many supports as we can for student success. Part of that is keeping them and their families healthy with good food, and getting them here so they can pursue the education they deserve.”
When it comes to amenities, the North Pittsburgh area is growing, brimming with shops and palate-pleasing places to dine.
“Our shopping district offers many kinds of eateries, restaurants and cafes, featuring various styles of cuisine,” Mullin-Sawicki said. “More people are moving in, too, attracted by the excellent school districts and opportunities to engage with friends in lots of different settings. One of the best things is that we still have a lot of room to grow. It’s very exciting.”
Pittsburgh is famous for many things, including its early ties to some of America’s most famous industrialists. Among them are familiar names: H. J. Heinz, George Westinghouse, Andrew Carnegie and Thomas Mellon. Their philanthropy helped ignite a vibrant arts culture, and today the city is the home of three Gilded Age sites: the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. In the vibrant North Shore neighborhood, visitors and residents flock to the Andy Warhol Museum, and sports fans enjoy football at Heinz Field or the lure of major league excitement at PNC Park when the Pittsburgh Pirates take the field.