The Pitt-ĢƵ Alumni Association (PGAA) will present the 2026 Volunteer Excellence Award to Quoc Vo ’18 as part of the Alumni Celebration Dinner to be held Saturday, Oct. 3, (cocktails: 5:30 p.m./dinner: 6 p.m.) at the . Registration for the dinner, part of the Blue & Gold Celebration: Homecoming & Families Weekend 2026, is available .
Established in 2009, the PGAA Volunteer Excellence Award recognizes alumni who have selflessly dedicated their time and effort to support the PGAA and the University of Pittsburgh at ĢƵ. This prestigious award honors individuals who have contributed significantly to the success of the alumni association and the university through active participation in meetings, events, and special projects.
Vo graduated from Pitt-ĢƵ in 2018 with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. His ongoing involvement with the campus’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity (HFH) exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism and community engagement that the award seeks to honor.
As a student, he participated in HFH and held various positions, including president and vice president. During that time, and since his graduation, Vo has participated in nine Spring Break Collegiate Challenge Trips. The trips, usually to a southern state, occur during Pitt-ĢƵ’s spring break and involve students, some staff, and some alumni traveling by van to participate in building safe, affordable housing at an HFH build site. Vo also participated in the newly established alumni HFH build trip held in 2025.
His nomination materials stated: “Quoc has demonstrated commitment to serving both the University and the community through his continued volunteerism. During his time as a student, Quoc was an active member of Habitat For Humanity, regularly attending meetings, participating in campus events, and taking part in the Collegiate Challenge Spring Break program.
“Quoc's dedication to Habitat for Humanity extends well beyond graduation,” the nomination continued. “His longstanding commitment to service reflects his passion for giving back and inspiring others to do the same. This year, Quoc took on an even greater leadership role by serving as the secretary of the newly established Habitat for Humanity Alumni Club.”
Vo is an active member of the Pitt-ĢƵ alumni community through the PGAA, and he regularly attends and volunteers at alumni events throughout the year. His consistent involvement has helped foster connections among alumni while reinforcing the University's culture of service and engagement.
“Quoc has enriched the life of Pitt-ĢƵ by exemplifying the values of leadership, service, and lifelong commitment to his alma mater,” his nomination shared. “His dedication has inspired current students and fellow alumni to remain engaged with the University and continue making a positive impact in their communities. Through his volunteer efforts and continued leadership, Quoc embodies the spirit of Pitt-ĢƵ and serves as an outstanding representative of the University.”
After graduating from Pitt-ĢƵ, Vo went on to attend the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Training Academy where he earned the Act 120 Certification for Municipal Police Officers Education and Training. He earned the Outstanding Leadership award and the Academic Excellence award from the program.
Vo currently works for the Allegheny County Police Department, moving from uniform patrol (2022-2023) to detective (2023-present). From 2023 to 2026, he was part of the Violent Crime and Firearms area. In 2026, he joined the Narcotics, Vice, and Intelligence area. He also is a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) operator (2023-present) and serves as a firearms instructor and field training officer.
His work with the Allegheny County Police Department has earned him Letters of Recognition for High Profile Arrest (2) and Performance (2), as well as Certificates of Commendation for High-Quality Arrest and High-Profile Arrest.
Prior to joining the Allegheny County Police Department, Vo held several positions with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, including uniform patrol (2016-2019) to detective (2019-2022). He also served as a field training officer and was part of the Special Response Team. He was the recipient of the Outstanding Leadership, Academic Excellence, and Law Enforcement Agency Directors (LEAD) Team awards.