Duquesne University SBDC Celebrates Double Victory with Prestigious Awards

Duquesne University SBDC Celebrates Double Victory with Prestigious Awards
Student Project of the Year and Happy Client Awards

PITTSBURGH, PA (June 2025) – The Duquesne University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is proud to announce a remarkable dual achievement: The Graduate Assistant Team has been honored with the “Student Project of the Year” award, and the center itself has received the coveted “Happy Client” award, recognizing excellence in client satisfaction and service delivery.

These accolades were presented at the 2025 Pennsylvania SBDC Annual Conference, celebrating innovation, impact, and dedication across the statewide network.

The “Student Project of the Year” award recognizes the outstanding contributions of the Duquesne SBDC’s Graduate Assistant Team, whose collaborative efforts helped their center achieve strategic initiatives. Their work exemplified the power of student engagement in economic development and entrepreneurial support.

“This award is a testament to the talent, professionalism, and passion our graduate assistants bring to the table,” said Rich Longo, Director of the Duquesne SBDC. “They are not only learning—they are leading.”

In addition, the Duquesne SBDC was honored with the “Happy Client” award, a distinction based on client feedback and satisfaction metrics. The Duquesne SBDC earned the highest client satisfaction metric as reported on the annual client questionnaire. This award reflects the center’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, personalized consulting services that empower entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.

“These recognitions affirm our mission to deliver meaningful, measurable impact,” Longo added. “We’re proud of our team, our students, and the clients we serve every day.”

The Duquesne University SBDC continues to offer no-cost, confidential consulting and training to help businesses start, grow, and thrive. These awards underscore the center’s role as a leader in entrepreneurial support and student-driven innovation.