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Rising Brothers and Sisters

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MBA alumna Patriece Thompson spoke at a recent Rising Brothers and Sisters event about marketing a personal brand and building a network. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Rowland School of Business faculty Dorene Ciletti and Sandra Mervosh gave a presentation on resilience and self-empowerment at a Rising Brothers and Sisters event with students from Perry High School. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Pictured from left are Mitch Nickols, director of the Rising Brothers and Sisters program; Robert Derda, associate professor and chair of the SAEM program; Steve Tanzilli, dean of the Rowland School of Business; Jason Jones, vice president of community development at Dollar Bank and Morton Stanfield Jr., senior vice president of community development at Dollar Bank. Dollar Bank is a valued supporter of the Rising Brothers and Sisters program.
Students, faculty and staff attended MBA alumna Patriece Thompson's speaking engagement for the Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Students, faculty and staff attended MBA alumna Patriece Thompson's speaking engagement for the Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Mitchel Nickols, Ph.D., speaks to students at the Neighborhood Academy.
Students from Perry High School visited the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center at Point Park University for a Rising Brothers and Sisters event focused on financial literacy. Submitted photo.
Point Park faculty facilitated a variety of financial literacy activities with students from Perry High School during a Rising Brothers and Sisters event. Submitted photo.
Rowland School of Business staff member Brittney Arnett facilitated a financial literacy course at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School as part of Point Park's Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Submitted photo.
Rowland School of Business professor Robert Derda gave a presentation on personal branding at the Neighborhood Academy as part of the Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Submitted photo.
Pictured are students, faculty, staff and regional professionals at a Rising Brothers and Sisters networking reception.
Faculty member Archish Maharaja, CFP, CPA/PFS, Ed.D., addresses attendees at a Rising Brothers and Sisters networking reception. Submitted photo.
Pictured are students with Dr. Mitchel Nickols during a Rising Brothers and Sisters program.
Josie Brown, Ph.D., dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, speaks to students from Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School.
Shannon Gregg, Ph.D., Point Park alumna and instructor, speaks to students from Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School during a Rising Brothers and Sisters event.
Andrew Conte, Ph.D., director of the Center for Media Innovation, gives a tour of the CMI to students from Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School during a Rising Brothers and Sisters event.
Students from Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School toured the Center for Media Innovation during a Rising Brothers and Sisters event on Point Park's campus.
The Rising Brothers and Sisters program welcomed 10th and 11th grade students from Aliquippa High School to Point Park's campus this spring. They took part in discussions on topics related to FAFSA, financial aid, personal budgeting, the admissions process and received a tour of the campus.
The Neighborhood Academy is another local school participating in Rising Brothers and Sisters. Pictured are Dr. Mitchel Nickols with students during an assembly at the school.
Students from Taylor-Allderdice High School explored Point Park's Center for Media Innovation as part of their campus visit through the Rising Brothers and Sisters program.
Students from Taylor-Allderdice High School explored Point Park's Center for Media Innovation as part of their campus visit through the Rising Brothers and Sisters program.
Aliquippa students toured Point Park's campus with Dr. Nickols and Dean Tanzilli. They met with John Ashaolu, athletic director, and Keith Paylo, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Rowland School of Business recruiter and community outreach coordinator Brittney Arnett, CPA, presented a session on financial literacy for Aliquippa students.
Rising Brothers and Sisters students attended a networking breakfast with Bank of America Black Professional Group and Myah Irick of The Irick Group. She is senior vice president, senior portfolio advisor, sport and entertainment advisor and private wealth manager at Merrill Private Wealth Management.
Rising Brothers and Sisters students attended a networking breakfast with Bank of America Black Professional Group and Myah Irick of The Irick Group. She is senior vice president, senior portfolio advisor, sport and entertainment advisor and private wealth manager at Merrill Private Wealth Management.
Pictured from left are Steve Tanzilli, dean of the Rowland School of Business, and Mitchel Nickols, Ph.D., director of Rising Brothers and Sisters, at a business breakfast with the Bank of America Black Professional Group and The Irick Group.
Rising Brothers and Sisters Events — 26 images
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Rising Brothers and Sisters Events — 26 images
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Pictured is alumna Patriece Thompson, MBA, speaking at a Rising Brothers and Sisters event. Photo by Madi Fisher.
MBA alumna Patriece Thompson spoke at a recent Rising Brothers and Sisters event about marketing a personal brand and building a network. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Pictured are Dorene Ciletti and Sandra Mervosh. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Rowland School of Business faculty Dorene Ciletti and Sandra Mervosh gave a presentation on resilience and self-empowerment at a Rising Brothers and Sisters event with students from Perry High School. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Pictured from left are Mitch Nickols, director of the Rising Brothers and Sisters program; Robert Derda, associate professor and chair of the SAEM program; Steve Tanzilli, dean of the Rowland School of Business; Jason Jones, vice president of community development at Dollar Bank and Morton Stanfield Jr., senior vice president of community development at Dollar Bank.
Pictured from left are Mitch Nickols, director of the Rising Brothers and Sisters program; Robert Derda, associate professor and chair of the SAEM program; Steve Tanzilli, dean of the Rowland School of Business; Jason Jones, vice president of community development at Dollar Bank and Morton Stanfield Jr., senior vice president of community development at Dollar Bank. Dollar Bank is a valued supporter of the Rising Brothers and Sisters program.
Point Park students, faculty and staff attend a Rising Brothers and Sisters event on campus. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Students, faculty and staff attended MBA alumna Patriece Thompson's speaking engagement for the Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Point Park students, faculty and staff attend a Rising Brothers and Sisters event on campus. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Students, faculty and staff attended MBA alumna Patriece Thompson's speaking engagement for the Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Photo by Madi Fisher.
Mitchel Nickols, Ph.D., speaks to students at the Neighborhood Academy. Submitted photo.
Mitchel Nickols, Ph.D., speaks to students at the Neighborhood Academy.
Pictured are students from Perry High School, Steve Tanzilli, dean of the Rowland School of Business, Mitchel Nickols, Ph.D., director of Rising Brothers and Sisters, and Point Park students and faculty in the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center. Submitted photo.
Students from Perry High School visited the Michael P. Pitterich Sales & Innovation Center at Point Park University for a Rising Brothers and Sisters event focused on financial literacy. Submitted photo.
Students from Perry High School take part in a financial literacy exercise during a Rising Brothers and Sisters event at Point Park University. Submitted photo.
Point Park faculty facilitated a variety of financial literacy activities with students from Perry High School during a Rising Brothers and Sisters event. Submitted photo.
Rowland School of Business staff member Brittney Arnett facilitated a financial literacy course at Taylor Allderdice High School as part of Point Park's Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Submitted photo.
Rowland School of Business staff member Brittney Arnett facilitated a financial literacy course at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School as part of Point Park's Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Submitted photo.
Rowland School of Business professor Robert Derda gave a presentation on personal branding at the Neighborhood Academy as part of the Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Submitted photo.
Rowland School of Business professor Robert Derda gave a presentation on personal branding at the Neighborhood Academy as part of the Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Submitted photo.
Pictured are students, faculty, staff and regional professionals at a Rising Brothers and Sisters networking reception. Submitted photo.
Pictured are students, faculty, staff and regional professionals at a Rising Brothers and Sisters networking reception.
Faculty member Archish Maharaja, CFP, CPA/PFS, Ed.D., addresses attendees at a Rising Brothers and Sisters networking reception. Submitted photo.
Faculty member Archish Maharaja, CFP, CPA/PFS, Ed.D., addresses attendees at a Rising Brothers and Sisters networking reception. Submitted photo.
Pictured are students with Dr. Mitchel Nickols during a Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Submitted photo.
Pictured are students with Dr. Mitchel Nickols during a Rising Brothers and Sisters program.
Josie Brown, Ph.D., dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, speaks to students from Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School. Submitted photo.
Josie Brown, Ph.D., dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, speaks to students from Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School.
Point Park alumna and instructor Shannon Gregg speaks to Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School students in Lawrence Hall. Submitted photo.
Shannon Gregg, Ph.D., Point Park alumna and instructor, speaks to students from Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School during a Rising Brothers and Sisters event.
Andrew Conte, Ph.D., director of the Center for Media Innovation, gives a tour of the CMI to students from Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School.
Andrew Conte, Ph.D., director of the Center for Media Innovation, gives a tour of the CMI to students from Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School during a Rising Brothers and Sisters event.
Students explore the CMI TV studio during a Rising Brothers and Sisters event on Point Park's campus. Submitted photo.
Students from Aliquippa Junior/Senior High School toured the Center for Media Innovation during a Rising Brothers and Sisters event on Point Park's campus.
The Rising Brothers and Sisters program welcomed 10th and 11th grade students from Aliquippa High School to Point Park's campus this spring. They took part in discussions on topics related to FAFSA, financial aid, personal budgeting, the admissions process and received a tour of the campus.
The Rising Brothers and Sisters program welcomed 10th and 11th grade students from Aliquippa High School to Point Park's campus this spring. They took part in discussions on topics related to FAFSA, financial aid, personal budgeting, the admissions process and received a tour of the campus.
The Neighborhood Academy is another local school participating in Rising Brothers and Sisters. Pictured are Dr. Mitchel Nickols with students during an assembly at the school.
The Neighborhood Academy is another local school participating in Rising Brothers and Sisters. Pictured are Dr. Mitchel Nickols with students during an assembly at the school.
Pictured are Taylor-Allderdice students visiting Point Park's Center for Media Innovation.
Students from Taylor-Allderdice High School explored Point Park's Center for Media Innovation as part of their campus visit through the Rising Brothers and Sisters program.
Pictured are students touring the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University as part of a Rising Brothers and Sisters event.
Students from Taylor-Allderdice High School explored Point Park's Center for Media Innovation as part of their campus visit through the Rising Brothers and Sisters program.
Aliquippa students toured Point Park's campus with Dr. Nickols and Dean Tanzilli. They met with John Ashaolu, athletic director, and Keith Paylo, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Submitted photo.
Aliquippa students toured Point Park's campus with Dr. Nickols and Dean Tanzilli. They met with John Ashaolu, athletic director, and Keith Paylo, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Rowland School of Business recruiter and community outreach coordinator Brittney Arnett, CPA, presented a session on financial literacy for Aliquippa students.
Rowland School of Business recruiter and community outreach coordinator Brittney Arnett, CPA, presented a session on financial literacy for Aliquippa students.
Rising Brothers and Sisters students attended a networking breakfast with Bank of America Black Professional Group and Myah Irick of The Irick Group. She is senior vice president, senior portfolio advisor, sport and entertainment advisor and private wealth manager at Merrill Private Wealth Management. Submitted photo
Rising Brothers and Sisters students attended a networking breakfast with Bank of America Black Professional Group and Myah Irick of The Irick Group. She is senior vice president, senior portfolio advisor, sport and entertainment advisor and private wealth manager at Merrill Private Wealth Management.
Rising Brothers and Sisters students attended a networking breakfast with Bank of America Black Professional Group and Myah Irick of The Irick Group. She is senior vice president, senior portfolio advisor, sport and entertainment advisor and private wealth manager at Merrill Private Wealth Management. Submitted photo.
Rising Brothers and Sisters students attended a networking breakfast with Bank of America Black Professional Group and Myah Irick of The Irick Group. She is senior vice president, senior portfolio advisor, sport and entertainment advisor and private wealth manager at Merrill Private Wealth Management.
Pictured from left are Steve Tanzilli, dean of the Rowland School of Business, and Mitchel Nickols, Ph.D., director of Rising Brothers and Sisters, at a business breakfast with the Bank of America Black Professional Group and The Irick Group..
Pictured from left are Steve Tanzilli, dean of the Rowland School of Business, and Mitchel Nickols, Ph.D., director of Rising Brothers and Sisters, at a business breakfast with the Bank of America Black Professional Group and The Irick Group.


Mission and Objectives

Rising Brothers and Sisters, a mentorship and Pathways to Success program of Point Park University’s Rowland School of Business that puts students on the Pathways to Success, seeks to increase representation of successful professionals on Point Park campus and in high schools by providing students with small group support systems and programming focused on academic preparedness, career readiness and character development. With generous support from business partners like Dollar Bank, our program aims to empower students of promise in the greater Pittsburgh region to achieve academic goal-setting, career awareness, and financial literacy.

By extension, the program also hopes to increase:

  • The number of high school students of promise attending college
  • The retention of students of promise on Point Park’s campus
  • Career placement of undergraduate and graduate Point Park students
  • The hiring of faculty and staff with industry and community expertise at Point Park.

Point Park faculty and staff with expertise in student success, college literacy, financial aid, admissions, personal finance, and leadership will provide workshops and videos to help high school students who plan on attending college, as well as undergraduate students who need academic and social support. Local professionals will also lend their expertise in a series of speaking events and videos. Learn more about the program in this feature story.


Spectrum of Support

The Rising Brothers and Sisters program aims to provide customized, professional college-to-career support services to students of promise in high school and at Point Park. The program hopes to build a Spectrum of Support, which will include:

  • Business professionals with industry expertise
    • Engage with high school students via videos focused on personal and academic success
    • Engage with Point Park students via our campus speaker’s series
  • Point Park students
    • Attend small academic and social support groups focused on study skills, literacy and time management
    • Help to organize, as well as attend, our Professional Speaker Series and College Panel Series
  • High school students
    • Attend Point Park campus visits, tours, and panel discussions designed by Point Park students
    • Attend small group discussions related to leadership and personal success at their partner schools

School Partnerships

Pictured are students from Pittsburgh Allderdice with certificates from the Rising Brothers and Sisters program. Submitted photo.
  Pittsburgh Allderdice High School seniors 

The high schools in the Rising Brothers and Sisters program for the 2024-25 academic year include:

High school students will attend Point Park campus visits, as well as small group workshops at their schools. Students who attend Rising Brothers and Sisters programming are selected by teachers, administrators, and guidance counselors because they show academic promise, leadership potential, or a strong commitment to personal growth. Students are also given the opportunity to earn transferable college credits from Point Park through the university dual enrollment program with their district’s participation option.

Mitch-Nickols_800x800_Madi-Fisher.jpg
  Mitchel Nickols, Ph.D.


Contact Us

  • Mitchel Nickols, Ph.D.
    • Director, Rising Brothers and Sisters
    • Email: mnickols@pointpark.edu 
    • Phone: 724-396-0834
    • Office: 1108 West Penn Hall, Point Park University
  • Leslie Wessner
    • Administrative Assistant, Rising Brothers and Sisters
    • Email: lwessner@pointpark.edu
    • Office: 1302A West Penn Hall, Point Park University


Point Park Resources

Academic success is a leading component of the Rising Brothers and Sisters program and encourages students to connect with Point Park Tutoring Services, which provides professional and peer tutors for students who seek assistance in their coursework. 

Point Park Tutoring Services offers both online and on-ground assistance. In addition, students may receive guidance with effective study strategies, such as organization, time management, note-taking techniques, and exam preparation. Students can access Point Park’s tutor-scheduling software through (https://pointpark.mywconline.com). This system will allow students to schedule one-on-one tutoring appointments and to upload documents for review.


Other Resources