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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

Slide
BEARCAT BREAKS
THOMAS
OCTAVE

School: Saint Vincent College
Fun Fact: Before the pandemic, I used to go to Disney World at least four times a year!

MARCELLA
SMITH

Instagram: @marcy_smith
School: Saint Vincent College 
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I can do a cartwheel and land in a split.

ALEJANDRO
BARLOCK

Instagram: @alec_barlock
School: Saint Vincent College
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I am obsessed with pandas!

DR. KATIE
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!

Slide
KNIT AND SIP
ALYSSA
KEITH

Instagram: @lyssy_phils
School: Robert Morris University
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I have hiked Observation Point in Zion National Park

JAX
KELLY

Instagram: @jaxk324
School: Robert Morris University
Graduation Year: 2021
Fun Fact: My dream job is a cruise ship nurse!

MEGHAN
O'DONNELL

Instagram: @meghan_odonnell
School: Robert Morris University
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I work at HersheyPark!

Slide
PLOGGING FOR MENTAL HEALTH
BETHANY
KING

Instagram: @lyoo_bethh
School: University of Pittsburgh 
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I'm a twin.

RAEANNE
HEULER

Instagram: @raeanne.heuler
School: University of Pittsburgh 
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I'm really good at finding four leaf clovers!

SAMSON
LOVE

Instagram: @love_samson
School: University of Pittsburgh 
Graduation Year: 2021
Fun Fact: I'm a weather enthusiast.

Slide
OPERATION INTERFACTIVE: INTERACTIVE EDUCATION FOR ANXIETY
BRIA
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.

BRINLEY
KANTORSKI

School: Duquesne University 
Graduation Year: 2023
Fun Fact: My favorite hobbies are knitting,
geocaching, and Dungeons and Dragons!

Slide
WEDNESDAY NIGHT WELLBEING
CARISSA
PEGG

Instagram: @carissapegg
School: Duquesne University 
Graduation Year: 2023
Fun Fact: I love the Pittsburgh Penguins and have
a golden retriever named Fleury.

JULIA
REEDY

Instagram: @juliareedy53
School: Duquesne University 
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I love music and collect vinyl records.

Slide
PITT MED EMPOWERMENT
CAT
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

JAMES
NEWTON

School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Graduation Year: Class of 2022 
Fun Fact: James is an award-winning whistler

Slide
GRATITUDUE​
CLAIRE
FALASCO

Instagram: @c.falasco
School: Duquesne University 
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I have a twin sister!

ELENA
MARTINO

Instagram: @tesla.knight
School: Duquesne University 
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I sing and play bass!

TESLA
KNIGHT

Instagram: @tesla.knight
School: Duquesne University 
Graduation Year: 2022
Fun Fact: I sing and play bass!

Slide
REAL REVEAL PODCAST
JAELYN
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.

Slide
PITTSBURGH PRIVATE POSTAL
MAURA
FLEMING

Instagram: @maurflem
School: Duquesne University School of Pharmacy
Graduation Year: 2023 
Fun Fact: I love the Peanuts specials and comics.

Slide
SOVA PROJECT
NEIVA
TEKA

Instagram: @sovaproject
School: University of Pittsburgh (Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences)  
Graduation Year: 2021
Fun Fact: I was born in Albania.

SANA
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.

Slide
STRUGGLES IN A CLASS AS AN IEP STUDENT
PHOEBE
RICHARDSON

Instagram: @phoebemepme
School: Pittsburgh Technical College
Graduation Year: 2021
Fun Fact: I enjoy listening to David Bowie while making art projects.

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Uprize 1.0

Judges