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About UPrize 2.0!
Unpack U launches U Prize 2.0 for the 2021-2022 academic year! Do you have an idea to improve mental wellness in our Pittsburgh university community but need help getting it off the ground? Unpack U can help! U Prize provides funding, support, mentorship and amplification to passionate leaders with bold ideas to make Pittsburgh, and the world, a happier place. Pitch us projects at any stage and size–from events that reach millions to technology solutions that raise happiness levels–the sky is the limit.
Funding for selected U Prize initiatives ranges from $33 to $3,300 as the starting point. Have questions? Aren’t sure if your project is right?
Reach out!
We want to hear from you!
Uprize
1.0
In February, Unpack U presented the first ever U Prize Pitch Day event, where applicants virtually pitched their ideas to a group of panelist judges to help increase mental wellness on Pittsburgh college campuses. See which projects were awarded funding, support, and mentorship that will help turn their ideas into a reality!
Uprize 1.0
Teams
OCTAVE
School: Saint Vincent College
Fun Fact: Before the pandemic, I used to go to Disney World at least four times a year!
SMITH
Instagram: @marcy_smith
School: Saint Vincent College
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I can do a cartwheel and land in a split.
BARLOCK
Instagram: @alec_barlock
School: Saint Vincent College
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I am obsessed with pandas!
LECKENBY
Instagram: @drleckenby
School: Saint Vincent College
Fun Fact: My undergrad degree is in Music Therapy and my major instrument in college was the string bass!
KEITH
Instagram: @lyssy_phils
School: Robert Morris University
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I have hiked Observation Point in Zion National Park
KELLY
Instagram: @jaxk324
School: Robert Morris University
Graduation Year: 2021
Fun Fact: My dream job is a cruise ship nurse!
O'DONNELL
Instagram: @meghan_odonnell
School: Robert Morris University
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I work at HersheyPark!
KING
Instagram: @lyoo_bethh
School: University of Pittsburgh
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I'm a twin.
HEULER
Instagram: @raeanne.heuler
School: University of Pittsburgh
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I'm really good at finding four leaf clovers!
LOVE
Instagram: @love_samson
School: University of Pittsburgh
Graduation Year: 2021
Fun Fact: I'm a weather enthusiast.
KOCH
Instagram: @tech_kochllaboration
School: Duquesne University
Graduation Year: 2022-ISH (HOPEFULLY!)
Fun Fact: When I was 9 I was a PA state champion gymnast.
Now my hobby is eating cookies.
KANTORSKI
School: Duquesne University
Graduation Year: 2023
Fun Fact: My favorite hobbies are knitting,
geocaching, and Dungeons and Dragons!
PEGG
Instagram: @carissapegg
School: Duquesne University
Graduation Year: 2023
Fun Fact: I love the Pittsburgh Penguins and have
a golden retriever named Fleury.
REEDY
Instagram: @juliareedy53
School: Duquesne University
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I love music and collect vinyl records.
PRESSIMONE
Instagram: @catpressimone
School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Graduation Year: Class of 2023
Fun Fact: Cat has two different colors of eyes,
one hassel green and one brown
NEWTON
School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Graduation Year: Class of 2022
Fun Fact: James is an award-winning whistler
FALASCO
Instagram: @c.falasco
School: Duquesne University
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I have a twin sister!
MARTINO
Instagram: @tesla.knight
School: Duquesne University
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I sing and play bass!
KNIGHT
Instagram: @tesla.knight
School: Duquesne University
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I sing and play bass!
FAULK
Instagram: @Faulk_Era
School: Duquesne University
Graduation Year: Undergrad-2019 | Graduate-2021
Fun Fact: CEO of my foundation "Healing Hurting Hearts" which provides support to children,
teenagers, and young adults who have experienced any type of loss throughout their life.
FLEMING
Instagram: @maurflem
School: Duquesne University School of Pharmacy
Graduation Year: 2023
Fun Fact: I love the Peanuts specials and comics.
TEKA
Instagram: @sovaproject
School: University of Pittsburgh (Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences)
Graduation Year: 2021
Fun Fact: I was born in Albania.
KARIM
Instagram: @sovaproject
School: University of Pittsburgh (School of Education)
Graduation Year: 2020
Fun Fact: I can spin my arm around in a full 360-degree circle.
RICHARDSON
Instagram: @phoebemepme
School: Pittsburgh Technical College
Graduation Year: 2021
Fun Fact: I enjoy listening to David Bowie while making art projects.
Uprize 1.0
Judges
DR. JOSEPH
C. MAROON
Clinical Professor and Vice Chairman Department of Neurological Surgery Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Team Neurosurgeon, The Pittsburgh Steelers Medical Director, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
ERIC
CASABURI
Entrepreneur, Fitness Leader, Founder of Retro Fitness
MEL AND COLBY
ARMSTRONG
Unpack U Strategic Advisor and former Pittsburgh Penguin Player
MELISSA
STEVENS
Executive Director, Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy
CINDY & ROB
CITRONE
Founders, Citrone 33
THEODORA
POLAMALU
Founder of the Troy and Theodora Foundation and the Harry Panos Fund
RODNEY
CLARK
Vice president for student affairs & strategic enrollment management, Pittsburgh Technical College
