International Programs and Services - Pittsburg State University

10/27/2026

🏐 Game Day! Let's go, Gorillas! 🦍❤️💛

Good luck to our Pitt State Volleyball team as they take on Drury University tonight in Springfield!

Bring home the win, Gorillas! 💪

🚨GAMEDAY🚨

Pitt State Volleyball travels to Springfield this evening for a non-conference match against Drury 🦍 🏐

First serve scheduled for 6 PM.

Pitt State Volleyball

10/26/2026

What makes the Pitt State community so special? Friendships that last a lifetime! ❤️💛

Did you know that Pitt State has a Friendship Family Program that connects international students with local families?

Organized by International Friends of Pittsburg (IFP), this program helps international students feel welcome and experience American culture through meaningful friendships with local families. And sometimes, those friendships continue long after students leave Pittsburg!

🇫🇷 Meet Charline Brimbeuf, a former exchange student from France who became part of the Cerne family through this wonderful program.

Almost three years later, their friendship is stronger than ever, connecting two families across the Atlantic Ocean!

Last year, the Cerne family drove nine hours to visit Charline in Chicago. This summer, they traveled to France, where Charline and her family welcomed them into their home for two weeks. They even enjoyed a weekend trip to Amsterdam together!

And the connection goes both ways! While traveling along Route 66 this August, Charline's parents made a special stop in Pittsburg to visit the Cerne family. Tyler Cerne, who works at the Pittsburg Fire Department, even invited them to tour the fire station!

As Charline shared, “Even after almost 3 years, PSU still has a big room in our hearts.”

This is what the Friendship Family Program is all about! Bringing people from different cultures together, creating lasting memories, and building friendships that go far beyond the university experience.

A special thank you to the Cerne family and International Friends of Pittsburg for making our international students feel welcome and showing that the Pitt State community extends far beyond campus!

🦍 Once a Gorilla, Always a Gorilla!

Would you like to become a Friendship Family and make a difference in an international student's experience? Learn more here:
https://www.pittstate.edu/international/friendship-family-program.html

10/23/2026

🦍⚽️ It's Game Day, Gorillas!

Good luck to our Pitt State Women's Soccer team as they take on Missouri Southern tonight at 7:30 PM!
Let's go, Gorillas! ❤️💛

IT'S GAMEDAY‼️

Pitt State Soccer makes the trip to Joplin this evening to face Missouri Southern 🦍 ⚽️

Match begins at 7:30 PM.

Pitt State Women's Soccer

10/23/2026

What makes Pittsburg so special? The people who bring our community together! 🍂

At Pitt State, international students find more than a university. They become part of a welcoming community where friendships grow and cultures come together!

Recently, International Student Fellowship (ISF) brought together students from Bangladesh, India, the Philippines, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ivory Coast, Brazil, El Salvador, and the USA for a wonderful evening of friendship, fun, and fall traditions!

Organized by the ISF Council, led by Mark Baker and Mike Dowling, with support from Covenant Harvest Church, the event gave students the opportunity to connect with local families and experience Midwestern traditions.

From making s’mores around the campfire to playing croquet, KanJam, Spikeball, and archery, the evening was filled with laughter and new friendships!

One of the most memorable moments came at the end of the night, when everyone gathered around the campfire to sing songs, share stories, and encourage one another.

A special thank you to the ISF Council, Mark Baker, Mike Dowling, and Covenant Harvest Church for creating these meaningful experiences and continuing to make our international students feel welcome and supported!

🦍 Once a Gorilla, Always a Gorilla!

10/22/2026

🎓 WHAT HAPPENED AFTER GRADUATION?

FROM PITT STATE TO A PH.D. AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK!

Meet Arifur Rahman, an alumnus from Bangladesh who earned his Master of Science in Polymer Chemistry at Pittsburg State University in Summer 2026.

Today, Arifur is pursuing his Ph.D. in Fiber Science at Cornell University, a prestigious Ivy League institution located in Ithaca, New York. This marks the next step toward his goal of building a career in research and development.

How did his journey from Pitt State to Cornell begin?

At Pitt State, Arifur worked as a Graduate Research Assistant under the mentorship of Dr. Mazeyar Parvinzadeh Gashti. Through academic research and industry collaborations, he gained practical experience, strengthened his analytical skills, and developed a passion for finding innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

The supportive faculty, collaborative environment, and opportunities to exchange ideas with professors helped him build the confidence and research skills needed to pursue a Ph.D.

What made Arifur's Pitt State experience so special?

His favorite memory is graduation day, especially hearing his name announced: "Arifur Rahman, with honors!"

When he first arrived from Bangladesh, he wasn't sure what to expect. From orientation onward, he found a welcoming community that encouraged him to grow. Graduation was an emotional moment filled with pride in his accomplishments, gratitude for the friendships he had made, and excitement for his next chapter.

What advice does Arifur have for future international students?

"Don't stop trying, and don't be afraid to take chances. You never know what opportunities are waiting for you unless you try."

Arifur's journey shows how research opportunities, faculty mentorship, and determination can open doors to advanced studies and exciting possibilities around the world.

❤️💛 Once a Gorilla, always a Gorilla! ❤️💛

Ready to start your own Pitt State story? Discover the opportunities at Pittsburg State University!
www.pittstate.edu/apply

10/22/2026

🏈🦍 Let's go, Gorillas!

Join us this Saturday at 2:05 PM as Pitt State takes on Central Oklahoma for the annual Hall of Fame Game!

Bring your Gorilla spirit and cheer on our team! ❤️💛

Here is the plan for Saturday.

Pitt State Football hosts their annual Hall of Fame Game against Central Oklahoma at 2:05 PM 🦍 🏈

BE THERE AND BE LOUD GORILLA NATION.

Pitt State Football

10/22/2026

GORILLAS GO WEST! HOMECOMING 2026 🦍❤️💛

What a great week celebrating Gorilla pride at Pittsburg State University!

From October 12–17, Pitt State celebrated Homecoming 2026 with the theme “Gorillas Go West,” bringing together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the Pittsburg community for a week full of traditions, activities, and school spirit!

Our international students joined in the celebrations, participating in several Homecoming activities and taking part in the traditional Homecoming Parade, one of the most anticipated events of the year!

Homecoming is more than just a celebration. It's an opportunity for international students to experience American university traditions, connect with the community, create lasting memories, and feel part of the Gorilla family.

We loved seeing our international students representing our global community and sharing in the Gorilla spirit!

Once a Gorilla, Always a Gorilla! 🦍❤️💛

10/21/2026

THIS THURSDAY: Pitt Pal Fall Fiesta & Pumpkin Carving!

Join us tomorrow, Oct. 22, from 4–6 p.m. at Gorilla Village for an afternoon of fall fun! Enjoy free food and pumpkin carving with all supplies provided.

Bring your own pumpkin to carve, or let us purchase one for you for just $5. If you would like us to provide a pumpkin, please indicate that on the registration form.

All Pitt State students are welcome!

Please register TODAY: https://pittsburgstate.formstack.com/forms/2026_fall_fiesta

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

Here’s a little recap of what happened this past weekend at Pitt State! 🤠🦍❤️💛

What an incredible Homecoming 2026! So many great memories and so much Gorilla pride!