The PCHE Board of Directors was approached in 2018 by leaders within the foundation community about an opportunity to bring  an innovative two-generation higher education program to the City of Pittsburgh. Over the next several years, despite the pandemic, the planning and hard work brought it to fruition in 2022. PCHE successfully launched the Pittsburgh Scholar House, an affiliate of the Family Scholar House, a program that is dedicated to using two-generation strategies to disrupt the cycle of poverty by enabling post-secondary educational attainment and comprehensive support services. These services are to improve the quality of life for income eligible single parents and their children.

About the Program

Led by Dr. Diamonte Walker, CEO, Pittsburgh Scholar House, and her team that includes Crystal Gonzalez, Family Advocacy Manager, and Natasha Tull, Program Associate and Special Assistant to the CEO, the Pittsburgh Scholar House has launched an innovative, evidence-based higher education program for single-parenting students and their children.

“At Pittsburgh Scholar House, our mission is clear: We empower single parents and their children to begin building a cycle of generational prosperity. Rather than focusing on a single service, we provide many forms of assistance to participating families, ensuring they have the support they need to achieve their goals. “Pittsburgh Scholar House has partnered with a group of experts in human services, philanthropy, finance, higher education, and early childhood learning to ensure that we apply best practices at every stage of the program.”

Becoming a PCHE Scholar

For those Pittsburgh Scholar House participants that attend one of the eleven PCHE colleges and universities, the Pittsburgh Scholar House, PCHE staff, and campus staff will offer highly coordinated wraparound supports and robust access and recognition opportunities throughout your academic journey. Beginning with a President’s lunch, coffee with the Provost, a certificate and pinning ceremony, intentional mentoring ensuring access and social capacity opportunities, advising and specialized workshops and supports, the PCHE Scholar will experience the value and recognition that they deserve. Our single-parenting students are exemplary scholars this program is meant to celebrate their accomplishments while reducing and alleviating barriers.

Are you a single-parenting student and want to become a Pittsburgh Scholar House participant and a PCHE Scholar? Contact us by clicking here and we’ll let you know how to enroll.

In the News

The new Pittsburgh Scholar House seeks to replace cycle of poverty with ‘virtuous cycle’

Pittsburgh Scholar House names former Urban Redevelopment Authority official as inaugural CEO