Shannon Lamb receives GPSG Leadership and Service Award
Shannon Lamb, bioengineering PhD student at the Swanson School of Engineering, has been named a recipient of the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) Leadership and Service Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to leadership and service across the University of Pittsburgh and the broader Pittsburgh community.
Since joining Graduate BMES in 2022, Lamb has served as first-year representative, vice president, and president, supporting departmental initiatives and leading efforts such as graduate student surveys, recruitment programming, and student engagement activities. They also stepped into the presidency of the Engineering Graduate Student Organization (EGSO) in 2025, rebuilding its leadership structure, organizing major events, and mentoring a new cohort of student leaders. Also a volunteer with Pittsburgh Action Against Rape as a helpline sexual assault counselor, Lamb emphasized the importance of creating supportive environments for student leaders.
“There is no event, meeting, email, or outcome that is more important than my officer team’s mental health and well being.” Lamb said. “It is important to me that every officer feels safe to be human and safe to have limits. I want them to be comfortable coming to me if they need help, guidance, or grace without fear of judgement.”
The GPSG Leadership and Service Award honors graduate and professional students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to serving the University of Pittsburgh, the surrounding community, and beyond. Award recipients receive a grant to support academic expenses and were recognized at a university-wide event on April 16, 2026.
“I’m incredibly honored to be receiving this award, but mostly beyond grateful for the letters of recommendation that got me here.” Lamb said. “It is not lost on me that the beautiful words of Sharada Narayanan, our incredible graduate BMES outreach chair, and the eloquent writings of Kurt Beschorner, Bob Parker, Bistra Iordanova, and Aaron Gibson are what got me this award. I am genuinely grateful for everyone who believed in me and pushed me to become the leader I am today.”
