Highmark Center Self-Guided Tour
The Highmark Center is a destination that offers a holistic approach to well-being through robust services and educational programs supporting body, mind and spirit. Explore the building with this self-guided tour to learn about all the places and spaces that embrace well-being. Enjoy!
First Floor
As you enter the first floor of the building from Margaret Morrison Street, notice the large white tiles to your left. They are designed to mimic a human heart beat, representing our community’s passion,compassion, health and well-being.
A concierge desk allows Peer Health Advocates to welcome visitors and provide health education and peer support to students. The top of the concierge desk is made from a sycamore tree cut down during a previous construction project on campus.
The Buncher Wellness and Meaning-Making Suite is flanked by copper fascia that was salvaged from the old North Gym and Thistle Hall roofs. It was fashioned into an interior copper feature wall to serve as a reminder of two buildings that once stood in the place of this modern facility. A nod to wabi-sabi aesthetic with its patina and age, it reminds us that our well-being is constantly evolving and that wisdom and beauty are found in what is authentic and imperfect.
Inside the suite, you'll first encounter the Gallery and the Well-Being Lab (on your left), as well as the Interfaith Room and four semi-private Contemplation Nooks.
The Hoplamazian Family Well-being Lab is the maker space for the body, mind and spirit, with the goals to build knowledge, skills, and inner wisdom that supports personal well-being as well as the holistic well-being of our community. In collaboration with campus and community partners, the diverse programming ranges from stress management workshops and mindfulness gatherings to spiritual and social well-being activities. If would like to explore opportunities for potential collaboration, please contact Harsh Agarwal, program specialist for Wellness Initiatives.
The Interfaith Room is a space dedicated to spiritual practice and learning, as well as nurturing relationships that build up our diverse CMU community. It was intentionally created as a circular design to symbolize the interconnectedness among us. Student organizations and affiliated religious groups may gather here to practice their shared spiritual tradition. Through Religious and Spiritual Life programs, students may meet here to connect with and learn from others with a variety of spiritual traditions and cultural worldviews.
When not officially reserved by a program or student organization, this room may be available for small groups to stop by and enjoy the space for their shared spiritual practice, study, or discussion or for individuals to use for prayer or contemplation (similar to the contemplation nooks).
Four semi-private contemplation nooks are available to anyone of any belief, tradition, or practice to enjoy some time alone to breathe, pray, meditate, journal, or engage in other quiet, contemplative activities. Meditation cushions are available for gentle use. For additional resources, please contact Jennifer McCurry, coordinator of Religious and Spiritual Life Initiatives.
Second Floor
The newly-designed recreational gymnasium serves as a versatile recreational space and significantly enhances the campus' recreational offerings, promoting a vibrant, active environment for the entire university community. With six basketball hoops, a volleyball court, three badminton courts, and room for pickleball, the facility hosts a variety of activities, supports the growth of physical education, club sports, and intramural programming, and provides additional practice space for varsity basketball and volleyball teams. One of the walls of the gym is the original exterior wall of the historic Skibo Gymnasium.
Shake Smart is a nutritious, health-forward smoothie and acai bowl concept with a wide-ranging menu including a mix of protein-packed shakes, fruit-forward smoothies, acai bowls, and more.
Third Floor
University Health Services (UHS) is a nationally accredited ambulatory health center and offers in person and virtual (online/video) appointments for CMU students. While you can schedule some appointments online, you will need to call 412-268-2157 (option 2) for others and to speak to our triage nurse. The nurse will direct you to the appropriate level of care which could be advice, an appointment at UHS or referral to the emergency room or an Urgent Care. All UHS services are confidential and include acute illness/injury, contraception, gender affirming care, PrEP, sexual transmitted infection testing/treatment, pregnancy options counseling, mental health care, vaccinations, travel consults, allergy shot management, nutrition services, and comprehensive care management. Additionally, UHS oversees the management of the Student Health Insurance Plan through Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Students with existing insurance that meets the university requirements can apply to waive the medical plan.
The newly renovated field house, located in the historic Skibo Gym built in 1924, preserves the only remaining part of the original building and introduces modern upgrades. With the addition of HVAC, turf flooring, and track lanes for varsity training, the space is now lined for softball use and equipped with two batting cages featuring top-end technology for varsity softball and club baseball. This enhanced facility will serve as a vital training space for varsity athletes and significantly broaden recreational opportunities for the entire campus community.
Designed to be one of the finest facilities in Division III, the main arena is the premier home for varsity basketball and volleyball competitions. With seating for approximately 1,000 spectators, the arena features a state-of-the-art videoboard and is equipped for multi-angle webstreams of intercollegiate games, ensuring a top-tier experience for both athletes and fans. In addition to varsity events, the arena will support physical education, club sports, and intramural programming, making it a versatile space that enhances the athletic and recreational landscape of the university.
Fourth Floor
The Posner Family Wellness Garden is a serene and thoughtfully designed space. It serves as a tranquil retreat within the bustling campus, providing a peaceful environment for students and faculty to relax and rejuvenate. The garden is strategically located to connect University Health Services (UHS) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS), creating a seamless flow between these essential student services. The design features warm brick blends reminiscent of the historic Guastavino tile, which adds a touch of tradition and warmth to the modern design.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) provides a safe, confidential environment for students to talk about personal and academic concerns. All students currently enrolled at the Pittsburgh campus are eligible for services at CaPS. Beyond direct student support, we also provide consultation services for faculty, staff, and family members who are concerned about a student and/or have questions about how to manage a student behavioral concern.
This is CaPS' main location. You can access CaPS by calling 412-268-2922 or by visiting them on the fourth floor. Please visit the CaPS website to learn about the many services they offer. You can also learn about CaPS through their Instagram account.
As part of University Health Services, Health Promotion provides both clinical and educational resources to support students' overall wellbeing. The team of health educators provide STI screening and education, sleep and stress consultations, substance use assessments, and gender affirming care navigation. Additionally, Health Promotion facilitates small education sessions, teaches mini courses, participates in orientation programming, and more. In particular, Health Promotion oversees the Peer Health Advocates who are students trained in health and wellbeing to support one another.
The UHS Wellness To Go vending machines are located in three campus buildings, the Highmark Center, Cohon University Center and the Tepper Building. This initiative has increased access to emergency contraception, sexual health and harm reduction supplies, and low-cost over the counter medications.