2025 Rewind: A Look Back at Highlights from the Year Thursday, December 18, 2025
2025 was an exciting year for Point Park University with record-breaking enrollment this fall and in pre-college summer programs, as it continues to grow into one of the most dynamic, urban universities in America. Among the year's top stories was the university's economic impact study, compiled by Fourth Economy, that affirms Point Park's vital role as a community partner and driving force in Downtown Pittsburgh and the greater region.
As strategic enrollment initiatives continue, Point Park is permanently offering a $4,000 Visit Scholarship for any junior or senior who visits campus, as well as the Buckeye Fresh Start Scholarship to support Ohio public university students whose majors and programs were eliminated due to state-mandated restructuring and budget cuts. Additionally, to honor the memory of Susan F. Brussalis, the university Cabinet and Deans established the Susan F. Brussalis Scholarship Fund to support students and celebrate her legacy.
In 2025, Point Park received approval for year two of the NCAA membership process and established two new schools in the Conservatory of Performing Arts — the School of Dance and the School of Theatre, Film and Animation — as it continues to create new opportunities for the Pioneers.
As we reflect on key highlights of growth this year, we look to Point Park’s strategic plan, Pioneer Vision 2030, as our foundation for success as we seek to advance the university in program excellence, student experience and community engagement. Learn more about our record year below.
Pursuing Program Excellence
Point Park continues to evolve its undergraduate, graduate and degree completion programs by leveraging its Downtown Pittsburgh campus to provide our students with real-world experiences and to foster greater cross-collaboration between our nationally recognized Conservatory of Performing Arts and our other five schools.
In 2025, Point Park University created a variety of new opportunities for students, some of which included:
- The School of Education introduced fully online options of the B.A. in Education Leading to Pennsylvania Certification in Special Education for Pre-K Through 12th Grade and the B.A. in Education Leading to Pennsylvania Certification Pre-K Through 4th Grade (with possible dual certification in Special Education Pre-K Through 12th Grade).
- A new career pipeline to live entertainment with the Entertainment Production Engineering Degree program.
- Our nationally-recognized School of Dance is one of the first to offer a Hip Hop Dance Concentration.
- New fast-track bachelor's to master's programs, including a B.A. or B.F.A. in Screenwriting and an M.F.A. in Writing for the Screen and Stage, plus fast-track programs for the School of Education for any undergraduate major.
- The School of Theatre, Film and Animation launched a first-of-its-kind Accelerated B.F.A. in Performance and Creative Industries program.
- The School of Education will begin offering an AI in Education Endorsement Program. Point Park is the second university in the state to be certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to offer the endorsement program.
Elevating Student Experience
Point Park is dedicated to nurturing a sense of inclusivity and belonging and revitalizing the university community through programming. Our commitment to students both inside and outside of the classroom includes not only meeting their physical, social and mental health needs, but also guiding them into the career of their choice.
Some examples of how Point Park supports life outside of the classroom and prepares our students for their futures include:
- The School of Dance added two new dance studios at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, which include a furnished lounge area with WiFi and charging outlets, as well as changing rooms.
- Point Park students participated in the Dorm to Table: Cooking Skills for College Students initiative, a new effort to combat food insecurity on campus.
- Our esports team claimed the NACE Championship title.
- The university's Fitness Center was renovated to include new equipment, fresh paint, turf replacement, and new and additional storage cubbies.
- First-year students participated in Pioneer Experience, a four-day orientation that blended fun, friendship and service to begin their college experience.
- Point Park added Women's Flag Football as its 20th sport.
- Point Park's Counseling Center was awarded a $50K grant to expand mental wellness initiatives.
Fostering Community Engagement
Point Park is dedicated to positively impacting our community and collaborating with our neighbors to address societal challenges. We continue to welcome them to our campus and look forward to revitalizing Downtown Pittsburgh together.
Hosting our community at our Downtown Pittsburgh campus helps to build awareness of Point Park’s desire to cultivate and partner with others to share talents, knowledge and resources. Here are some examples of how we accomplished that in 2025:
- President Chris Brussalis was honored among Pittsburgh's Most Influential Leaders in the Pittsburgh Business Times' Power 100 list.
- The university's fifth biennial National High School Dance Festival welcomed 2,100 participants and generated more than $2 million for Downtown Pittsburgh.
- The School of Communication, the PIAA and Myron Cope's family recognized high school athletic communication excellence at the annual Myron Cope Awards.
- Point Park opened its new Center for Civic and Community Engagement (CCE) at 101 Wood St. The CCE serves as a hub to support collaboration and social innovation between the campus and the community.
- Point Park announced its intentions to move forward with plans to acquire the vacant former YWCA Building on Wood Street.
Of course, many other annual events bring the Pioneer community together, such as homecoming, family weekend and commencement. Follow @PointParkU on social to keep up on what's happening at Point Park in 2026!