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September retirements include some long-standing staffers

This September 30th will be the last day for some of the longest serving members of Pitt Social Work's staff, including: Mary Pat Elhattab, Academic Administrator for the BASW Program; Marcia Piel, Recorder, Academic Administrator; and Rosie Rinella, Executive Assistant to the Dean.

Mary Pat Elhattab

Mary Pat Elhattab, Academic Administrator for the BASW Program

  1. How long have you been at Pitt/Pitt SSW?  I have been at Pitt since 1980, first working as a temp (including 13 months as a temp in the SSW), and then I was hired full-time in the School of Social Work in June 1982. So I have been at Pitt for a total of 40 years, including my time spent in the temp pool, and 39 years in the SSW, also including my time as a temp.
  2. What will you miss the most?  The faculty and staff, and especially the students.  I have had the privilege of watching each new group of BASW students grow from nervous kids into mature professionals, and it always makes me proud to be a part of it.
  3. What will you be doing more of in retirement?  Well, once things get back to "normal", I'd like to volunteer at UPMC-Magee in the Cuddler Program for babies who are going through withdrawal, or at Children's Hospital.  I also make jewelry, so I'm looking forward to being able to do that more often.

Marcia Piel

Marcia Piel, Recorder, Academic Administrator

  1. How long have you been at Pitt/Pitt SSW?  I started at Pitt in 1977 as a high school graduate in Arts & Sciences – Physics Department; transferred to Economics in 1984; and came to SSW in 1986.  I’ve been in Social Work for 33 years starting in the Dean’s Office; moved to an office on the 22nd floor; promoted to a position in the Student Services Office; and became the registrar in 2002.
  2. What will you miss the most?  I’ll miss communicating with staff, faculty and students in a variety of ways. 
  3. What will you be doing more of in retirement?  Initially, taking some time to relax after a busy, stressful career; spending more time with family; and doing projects that I didn’t have time for while working full-time.  Hopefully, some traveling once the pandemic has ended.

Rosie Rinella

Rosie Rinella, Executive Assistant to the Dean

1.  How long have you been at Pitt/Pitt SSW?  I began in the University on May 6, 1968.  I have worked in the School of Social Work my entire career at Pitt.

2.  What will you miss the most?   I will miss the interaction with faculty, staff and students, contact with other administrative offices in the University, as well as meeting new people from outside agencies and organizations.

3. What will you be doing more of in retirement?   I will be spending more time with family, travelling post- COVID and taking a long awaited vacation.