My name is Luke Clister, and I am an English Writing major completing the fourth year of my undergraduate degree. Pitt is actually the third school I have attended while attaining my degree! Previously, I attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and PennWest California before finishing my two years here at Pitt. At Pitt, I’m part…
Category: ACRI
ACRI Introduction
My name is Andrew Weiss (he/him) and I am a fourth-year student studying political science with minors in public policy and theatre arts. I transferred to the University of Pittsburgh in fall 2024 after I completed a year of service with AmeriCorps NCCC during which I became interested in the political and policy issues that…
ACRI: Intro
My name is Aubrey Baumiller, and I am a second-year in the School of Business. I am double majoring in Accounting and Marketing on a Pre-Law track as I plan to go to law school post-graduation. Something unique about me is that I am a fourth-generation Pitt student. This year, for the ACRI project, we…
ACRI Introduction!
My name is Lisa-Sophia (Lisa) Kachalova and I am a sophomore majoring in English Writing (non-fiction) and History with a minor in Economics. Something unique about me is that I am from Kentucky, which gives me a new perspective on Appalachia and Appalachian research and community work. For the ACRI Project this semester we are…
Fall 2026 ACRI Introduction
Hello! My name is Gabriella Moose and I am a sophomore at Pitt. I am a Microbiology major with a minor in Anthropology. An interesting fact about me is that I am a small business owner—this past summer my sister and I opened up a food truck that sells acai bowls! I am very excited…
ACRI Introduction – Fall 2026
Hi! My name is Savannah Tracy, and I’m a sophomore at Pitt majoring in Political Science and Environmental Studies. On campus, I serve as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for FP 0001 (Academic Foundations) and work as a Student Assistant at the Child Development Center. This past May, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad…
ACRI Project Introduction
Hello! My name is Darya Wilson and I am a Sophomore majoring in History and minoring in Persian Language. I am also pursuing an African Studies and a Global Studies Certificate. Outside of the classroom, I am a Nationality Rooms tour guide, so you will often find me around the Cathedral of Learning. I am…
Introduction to ACRI
Hello, everyone! My name is Neil Cahill, and I am a fourth-year student at Pitt majoring in Urban Planning & Geographic Analysis with a certificate in Public and Professional Writing and a minor in English Literature. Over my time at Pitt I have been very involved with community engagement and community engaged research especially through…
ACRI Project Introduction
Hello! My name is Max Krajnikovich and I am a Junior majoring in Finance, Business Information Systems, and Supply Chain Management. I am a member of Phi Beta Lambda, and also intend to study abroad in Spring of 2027 in London interning at a company related to my finance background. When I return to the…
Listening Before Leading: ACRI, DC Presentation
Early this December (2025), my team and I found ourselves in the heart of DC, awaiting to present our findings and recommendations for Fayette County to the funders, external stakeholders, and other participants of the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI). The Annual ACRI Conference, hosted by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and East Tennessee State…