BRADFORD, Pa. — The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has named Kate Kennedy as executive director of its Center for Rural Engagement following a national search. Kennedy will lead the center’s efforts to support rural communities across northwestern Pennsylvania through place-based education, research and community engagement.

Kennedy brings years of nonprofit leadership experience in economic development, community engagement and nonprofit management to the role. She most recently served as executive director of the Kane (Pa.) Area Development Center, where she oversaw the Kane Area Chamber of Commerce, the Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise and the Kane Area Industry Development Corp.

In that role, Kennedy secured and administered grants supporting business development and revitalization, including USDA Revolving Loan Funds, a Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development facade grant and a Pennsylvania Creative Industries’ Creative Community Initiative award. She has also planned and executed more than 20 community events annually, including a beautification day that draws more than 600 volunteers, and built partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and regional organizations to advance community development.

Kennedy has presented on rural revitalization, creative placemaking and workforce attraction strategies at statewide and national conferences, including the National Main Street Conference in 2022 and the American Planning Association-Pennsylvania Conference in 2025.

Prior to joining KADC in 2019, Kennedy spent more than seven years at Light of Life Rescue Mission in Pittsburgh, where she served as assistant director of development and communications and special projects manager. She managed public relations, marketing and strategic communications for the organization and its affiliate, Family Guidance.

“I am honored to join the Center for Rural Engagement and to build on the strong foundation Pitt-Bradford has established across northwestern Pennsylvania,” Kennedy said. “Rural communities have tremendous strength and potential, and I look forward to working with Pitt-Bradford’s faculty, students and regional partners to advance place-based solutions that create lasting opportunity.”

“Kate’s record of building partnerships and driving results in rural Pennsylvania made her the right choice to lead the Center for Rural Engagement into its next chapter,” added Pitt-Bradford President Richard T. Esch. “Her experience in grant development, stakeholder engagement and community-centered programming will strengthen the center’s work with communities across the region.”

The Center for Rural Engagement serves as a hub for place-based education, research, and community engagement in northwestern Pennsylvania. Its work centers on five areas: community stabilization, economic and community development, rural health, education and workforce development, and resiliency and capacity building. Based at Pitt-Bradford and the Education & Training Center at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville, the center collaborates with partners across the University of Pittsburgh, including the Office of External Relations, School of Public Health and School of Dental Medicine.

“President Esch has a compelling vision for how a university can help drive a region’s vitality, and it was an honor to support Pitt-Bradford as that vision came to life with the Center for Rural Engagement,” noted Lina Dostilio, Vice Chancellor for External Relations at the University of Pittsburgh. “Kate Kennedy’s deep experience in rural economic and community development will accelerate the Center’s work and Pitt’s public impact in communities throughout the Commonwealth.”

“The Center for Rural Engagement will serve as a key pillar to advance rural public health” added Dr. Maureen Lichtveld, Dean of Pitt’s School of Public Health. “We are looking forward to collaborating with Kate Kennedy in engaging with our rural communities in Bradford, Titusville and beyond to address public health threats now and in the future”.

Kennedy holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations, with a minor in business management, from the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and a master’s degree in school counseling from the University of Vermont. She serves on the boards of the McKean County Community Foundation, WPSU and the Kane Area Children’s Museum, and is a member of Rotary International, where she chairs the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy.

Kennedy began her new role on October 30. For more information about the Center for Rural Engagement, please visit www.upb.pitt.edu/about-us/office-president/center-rural-engagement.