What's new on campus this year
A new tuition-free path, a new major, and new deans
What’s new at Pitt-Bradford this year
Free tuition pledge, new majors and new leaders mark the year ahead
The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford is opening the year with some substantial changes, from a new tuition-free path for many Pennsylvania families to a new bachelor’s degree program and two new senior administrators.
Free tuition for many Pennsylvania families
Leading the list of changes is the Pitt Regional Campus Tuition Pledge, a new program starting this fall that will let many Pennsylvania families pay nothing for tuition at Pitt-Bradford. Here’s how it works: if a Pennsylvania family’s adjusted gross income — the income number used on tax forms, after certain deductions — is $75,000 or less, the student won’t have to pay any tuition. This applies to new students and students already enrolled. Pitt will pay whatever tuition is left over after any other financial aid — federal, state or from the university — has already been applied.
Families don’t need to fill out a separate application for this. Students just need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, every year. If they qualify based on their income, the money is applied to their account automatically. It’s important to know that this only covers tuition; it doesn’t pay for textbooks, housing, meals or other fees.
“A university education can have a life-changing impact,” said Pitt Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Joseph J. McCarthy. “Expanding access to an affordable, high-quality education remains a central strategic priority for the University.”
For more information on the tuition pledge, visit Pitt Regional Campus Tuition Pledge
New special education major
Pitt-Bradford is also launching a new four-year major this fall: pre-K–12 special education. It’s the university’s ninth major within its education program, created in response to growing student interest and a well-documented shortage of certified special education teachers across Pennsylvania.
“Pennsylvania is really suffering from a lack of teachers, especially special education teachers,” said Dr. Jonathan Chitiyo, director of the education program. “That shortage is even more pronounced in rural areas, where it can be difficult to recruit teachers unless they are from the region.”
Chitiyo said the field is changing nationally as more school districts adopt co-teaching models, pairing special education professionals with general education teachers — a shift that has only increased demand for certified special educators. Students in the new major will start with foundational coursework in areas like child development and instructional design before moving into eight specialized courses built for the program.
Upper-level classes will cover behavior management, differentiating instruction for diverse learners, and supporting students with common disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. One course is devoted entirely to autism spectrum disorders, which Chitiyo said is the fastest-growing category of diagnoses. Graduates will be prepared to teach in PreK-12 classrooms or pursue work supporting people with disabilities in nonprofits, workplaces and higher education.
For more information on the special education major, visit Special Education PK-12.
New leadership on campus
Rounding out the year’s changes, Pitt-Bradford has named two new senior leaders. Dr. Jessica Kubiak, a 2006 Pitt-Bradford graduate, returns to her alma mater as vice president and dean of academic affairs for Pitt-Bradford and Pitt-Titusville. She comes from SUNY Jamestown Community College, where she has served as vice president of academic affairs and workforce development since 2024, overseeing four academic divisions serving more than 2,000 students.
Kubiak holds a Ph.D. in English from Old Dominion University and a master’s in adult education from SUNY Buffalo State, and graduated summa cum laude from Pitt-Bradford. Her research focuses on writing feedback and adult learners, and she’s completing a book manuscript under contract with Bloomsbury Academic. She’s won teaching awards from the Conference on College Composition and Communication and the SUNY Chancellor’s office. She lives in Allegany, N.Y., with her husband, four adult children, two grandchildren, and a small menagerie that includes a cat, a border collie and three goats.
Dr. Andrew Peterson joins Pitt-Bradford as vice president and dean of student affairs. He comes from Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., where he has served as vice president of student affairs and dean of students since 2022, leading a division of 20 professional staff and 65 student staff and managing a budget of more than $4.5 million spanning residence life, student conduct, campus safety, Greek life, orientation, dining and student involvement.
Peterson earned his doctorate in leadership for organizations from the University of Dayton, a master’s in higher education and student affairs from Ohio State, and a bachelor’s in psychology from Allegheny College. He has served on the executive board of the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International and speaks nationally on student leadership and crisis preparedness, with a particular focus on helping first-generation college students feel a sense of belonging. He lives in Bradford with his sons, Jake and Spencer, and their dog, Cookie.