A Pitt-Bradford alumna writes the next chapter of her hometown's story
For her first act as executive director of the Kane Area Development Center (KADC) in northcentral Pennsylvania, Kate Kennedy interviewed 100 residents in 100 days. The feat, which she streamed on Facebook Live, was a way to tell Kane’s story while reintroducing herself to her hometown.
Kennedy (UPB ’02) grew up in Kane before moving about 45 minutes down the road to attend Pitt-Bradford. She didn’t put her degree in public relations to use right away. After graduation, she took several years to explore, volunteering with AmeriCorps, traveling as an admissions counselor for her alma mater and working as a school guidance counselor in Maryland.
Kennedy realized, however, that no matter how far she wandered, Kane would always be home.
So, Kennedy applied for her current role at the KADC, where she works alongside Kane’s chamber of commerce, industrial development corporation and revitalization enterprise to support business growth, economic opportunities and tourism. But what she often finds herself doing is exactly what she did in those first 100 days on the job — helping Kane to tell its own story.
“Kane is a place where I feel believed in, Kennedy says. “I want to help elevate it and make sure it’s a place people feel proud of.”
All within reach: More about Pitt-Bradford
Vital info
Founded in 1963 in downtown Bradford, the campus sits today on the site of a former airport. UPB today enrolls 1,094 students. They hail from more than 20 different states and can choose from 40 majors. UPB also competes across 14 NCAA Division III sports.
Bang for your buck
The campus earned a No. 9 ranking on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Value Colleges (Regional Colleges North) list. UPB also picked up a fifth-consecutive placement on the Transfer Honor Roll for building pathways to support transfer students, particularly from community and two-year colleges.
National notice
How UPB fared in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 rankings:
- No. 17, Regional Colleges North
- No. 12, Top Public Colleges (Regional Colleges North)
- No. 7, Best Colleges for Veterans
Must-visit spot
Housed in a six-story Art Deco building, UPB’s Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center pays homage to one of Bradford’s favorite daughters and one of the most lauded mezzo-soprano singers in the world. Horne donated her personal archives to Pitt in 2013, and visitors to the museum can see artifacts and costumes representative of her 45-year career.
Mascot
Piper the Panther only recently got an official name, one to honor the campus’ aviation history. William Piper manufactured the iconic light plane known as the Piper Cub on campus during the Great Depression.
Did you know ...?
Pitt’s economic impact in Pennsylvania is $6.6 billion annually. Learn more about Pitt’s Public Impact.