Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership

Calling VIH Alumni! We are offering an optional event for 2026 Viras over the weekend of April 11 and 12, and would like to include some Pittsburgh-based alumni to a few portions of that event.
Please fill out this very short form by Tuesday, March 24 to indicate interest in this and future engagement with alumni.
Details will be shared with confirmed attendees. We will reach out to confirm space availability after our initial invitation, as we are still finalizing numbers with current Viras. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we plan!

Survey link, in case the above does not work: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cO99Pwop6qWJm9o

Thank you

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2025 VIH cohort Pitt Oakland student Caitryn Donofry spent a month in Spain 🇪🇸 this summer, working on her language skills, and even got to visit some family in Ireland! 🇮🇪 Caitryn plans to go to dental school🦷 🏫 🔬 in the future, and is currently a volunteer at UPMC Shadyside, supporting geriatric and aging patients. 🎥Credit: Caitryn Donofry Photo 1: Caitryn abroad in Spain. One of her ultimate goals is to be a ployglot! We love that! 🗣️ Photo 2: Caitryn and friends at the aqueduct in Segovia, it's been standing for over 2000 years! 💦 Photo 3: Visiting Santa Iglesia Catedral Primada de Toledo in Toledo. ⛪️ Photo 4: The painting Guernica by Pablo Picasso, located in the Reina Sofía museum in Madrid. This painting symbolizes the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. 🎨 Photo 5: A statue in the town center depicting Miguel de Cervantes, the author of the famous novel Don Quijote. He was born in the city where I was studying abroad! 🐴 🗺️ #leadership #womeninleadership #civicengagement #global #pitt #pittglobalexperiences #womeninstem #VIH

@ChathamUniversity student Danaeshia Cuff studied in Florence 🇮🇹 this summer – a dream destination for someone majoring in Visual Arts, focusing on painting, museum studies and film like she is. 🖼️🖌️ Danaeshia shares a selfie and lots of artful snaps, noting that she’s visited museums “...such as the Switzerland museum, the Biennale, and Uffizi. Along with these are photos from Venice, Florence, Sardinia, and Switzerland. I also have some finished art piece made here in traditional Italian practices using pigments, fresco, and tempura painting techniques.” 😍Heart eyes for days! Thank you for sharing. 📸Credit: Danaeshia Cuff 🌞1: Blue skies and bright eyes 🔍2: We spy the Duomo in #Florence 🏞️3: This could be a postcard 🎨4: Painting in striking techniques 👗5: Fashion moment and mood #leadership #womeninleadership #civicengagement #global #pitt #pittglobalexperiences #chatham @chatham_global

We’re featuring another @thielcollege student today: Shalondra Santos! She’s a Psychology and Sociology major with a minor in Gender Studies, exploring Costa Rica this summer. 🇨🇷 Shalondra is in SGA, Women Inspiring the Next Generation, marching & concert band, and hopes to become a youth mental health therapist. Shalondra is giving the #PuraVida experience her all! 📷Credit: Shalondra Santos 💦1: La Fortuna waterfall 💯2: A motto to live by 🥙3: Costa Rican cuisine – yum! 🦜4: The incredible local Biodiversity 🥁5: la música #studyabroad #VIH #Pitt #Thiel #womeninleadership #pittglobalexperiences #puravida #costarica

Cydney Wierzbowski, 2025 Thiel College awardee, studied in Portugal 🇵🇹 this summer, also traveling to Paris and Spain. Cyd studies Business and hopes to become an event planner. She believes in the importance of mentorship, and is actively involved in Greek life, the Dance Team, Track and Field, Music Honor Society and works in the Admissions Office. We can’t wait to see what you do next! 🎥Credit: Cydney Wierzbowski 🐾1: Representing @thielcollege abroad 🔱2. See you out on the sea 🎨3: Loving a day at the Louvre ⛪ 4: A stroll near Notre Dame #studyabroad #VIH #Pitt #Thiel #womeninleadership #Portugal #pittglobalexperiences #womeninstem

Caitlyn Noll, Pitt Oakland 2025 Awardee, pursues a degree in Public Health 👩‍⚕️🩺 as well as minors in Chemistry and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies. She's pre-medicine and seeks to become an OB-GYN specializing in q***r health. She’s also in the Marching Band! 🎼 Caitlyn explored traditional herbal medicine and African Culture in Senegal this summer, learning about public health and women's health in a global context. 🔬 Thanks for sharing these fabulous photos! 📸: Credit Caitlyn Noll 1: Feeling at home, abroad version 🌍 2: Loving Life in Senegal 🇸🇳 3: Traditional food hits the spot 🍚 4: Toes in new-to-you waters 🌊 #studyabroad #VIH #Pitt #Pittglobal #womeninleadership #Senegal #pittglobalexperiences #womeninstem

Sabrina Estrada, W&J 2025 VIH Awardee, studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina this summer for her academic and intercultural experience. 🇦🇷 She writes, “While in Argentina, I was in the city mainly for classes where I would take the SUBTE and walk past the Obelisco on Avenida 9 de Julio. Buenos Aires really did give off what it's known for being the "Paris de Suramérica" especially from the buildings. For my Spanish class we would often visit sites like the Casa Rosada and go to museums like MALBA. Other than city life and having to take a plane ride there, I got the chance to visit the Waterfalls of Iguazu.” We love this for you, Sabrina! 📸: Credit: Sabrina Estrada 1: Out and about in the city 🎒 2. Iguazu Falls – breathtaking bucket list goal 🚣 3: Obelisco on Avenida 9 – we love a landmark 🏛 4: Subte vibes 🚊 5: A day at the museum #Malba 🎨 #studyabroad #VIH #Pitt #Pittglobal #womeninleadership #wjcollege