Chenits Pettigrew, Jr., Ed.D
Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Enrichment
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
4pm-5:30pm PST
Workshop Description:
Applying to medical school is about more than checking boxes—it is about building a life, a purpose, and a record of impact that reflects who you are and who you hope to become as a physician. This workshop is designed for community college and university premed students who want clearer guidance on how to shape an application that is thoughtful, authentic, and competitive for the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Chenits Pettigrew, Jr., Ed.D., Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Enrichment, will share insight into how students can develop experiences that demonstrate service, leadership, resilience, curiosity, and commitment to others, while also staying true to their own values and story. You can come, ask your questions and get answers in a supportive, student-centered environment focused on helping you grow with intention. Most importantly, come hear directly from the source instead of second-hand or bad information or people who have no clue about the admission process. Leave with stronger direction, renewed confidence, and concrete next steps for building an application—and a future in medicine—that has real purpose, substance, and impact.
About the Speaker:
Chenits Pettigrew, Jr., Ed.D. is a Pittsburgh native, a Pittsburgh Public Schools graduate, and a grateful NEED recipient. He is currently the Associate Dean for Student Engagement and Enrichment at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Pettigrew has held administrative and teaching positions at the University of Pittsburgh, Carlow University, California State University Northridge, UCLA, Tuskegee University, and Florida State College Jacksonville. He has developed and managed numerous programs focused on student success and engagement, funded by NIH, NSF, DOE, the U.S. Department of Education, and the William Penn Foundation. He is a nationally recognized expert in student engagement and student success.
Dr. Pettigrew has published articles in the areas of medical student professionalism, the biopsychosocial aspects of HIV/AIDS, faculty promotion and tenure, student affairs, and student retention. He has received numerous honors, including being one of the first recipients of the Sankofa Award (2005) from the University of Pittsburgh’s African American Alumni Council (AAAC) for his work in student recruitment, retention, and diversity. He currently serves as an advisor to the AAAC. He also received the Black Bag Award and Faculty of the Year Award from the Pitt Med Chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and has been named a Gateway Medical Association Champion. These represent just a few of the many honors Dr. Pettigrew has received throughout his decades-long career.
He serves on the Advisory Boards of the Career Education Enhancement for Health Care Research Diversity (CEED), Allen Place, and ICRE. In partnership with his wife, Dr. Pettigrew is active in global health education as an advisor to the Women Neonates Diversity Outreach Opportunities Program (JUST WONDOOR) at University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio. Together, the Drs. Pettigrew have worked in eSwatini, Haiti, and Guyana, S.A. He is also a past president of the Alpha Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, and past President of Alpha Omicron Charities. He is a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Rho Boulé, and the F.R.O.G.S. Club of Pittsburgh, and an active member of Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Pettigrew is married to Margaret D. Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, MEd, MPPM, FACOG. They have three children: Carlos, a high school teacher and lacrosse coach in Prince George’s County, Maryland; Chenits Reese (Chenlo), a music producer, performer, and teacher in New York, NY; and Gaetan, a physician and aesthetics business owner in Pittsburgh, PA. The Drs. Pettigrew also have three grandchildren — Corbin, Chase, and Carson.
Dr. Pettigrew received his B.A. in Political Science from Westminster College (PA), his M.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Pittsburgh, and his Ed.D. in Institutional Management in Higher Education from Pepperdine University. He is also a Fellow of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL).
Register for Free:
What: UVM Larner Med Admissions Unfiltered: How to Stand Out and Earn Your Spot
When: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 4 PM (Pacific Standard Time)
You will receive an immediate email confirmation of your registration from Zoom. PLEASE check your SPAM or JUNK folder, as the email might be directed there. Additionally, you will receive an email reminder from Zoom ONE hour before the event, sent to the same email address you used for registration.
