PirateQ 
Troy Moon, Pensacola State College
Pensacola State College’s Director of Student Affairs Kathleen “Katie” Hudon has never stopped trying to better herself or her community. Hudon was named one of Pinnacle Award winners by 850 Business Magazine during a virtual ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 23.
The Pinnacle Awards spotlight leading women in business and education across 18 Northwest Florida counties. Hudon was one of 12 women to receive the award this year. But even though it’s a “Pinnacle” award, Hudon knows that personal growth is ongoing.
Even though she an accomplished educator and academic leader with an impressive eight degrees, she’s currently working on a ninth – a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business & Management here at PSC. She earned her first degree, an Associate of Arts, from then-Pensacola Junior College before the name was changed to Pensacola State College in 2010.
Her community commitment is impressive and extensive and includes assisting and volunteering with groups such as United Way, First City Art Center, Ronald McDonald House and Lions Club International’s SightFirst program.
“It was a great honor to receive this award and be in the company of such amazing women leaders in Florida,” Hudon said. “It was also bittersweet because my father had unexpectedly passed away this month and was supposed to join me as a special guest. I hope he was looking down from above.”
She recently began sponsoring children in Third World countries with the organization “Compassion International.”
“My Dad sponsored children in Rwanda and Colombia where he supported them on a monthly basis,” Hudon said. “I wanted to continue his legacy there as I know this was a very important commitment to him.”
The Pinnacle Award is just one of the many accolades that Hudon has earned since joining the Pirate family in November 2019. She was named one of inweekly newspaper’s “Rising Stars for 2020” and was selected as the Santa Rosa County Woman of the Year by the Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce for 2019-2020.
Hudon’s resume is impressive. She was an instructor and administrator at the University of West Florida and has practiced law in Florida and Alabama. She earned her juris doctorate from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She also has a doctorate in education and a master’s in communication arts.
850 Business Magazine executive editor Steve Bornhoft announced Hudon as one of the 12 Pinnacle Award winners.
“She is among those people who when you meet her or speak to her, you emerge from the conversation more optimistic,” he said.
Hudon also received praise from PSC administrators for her award and dedication to PSC and the community.
“Since joining the PSC Student Affairs Leadership Team, Dr. Hudon has done a great job of learning about the College,” said Kathy Dutremble, PSC’s Dean of Student Affairs. “She has worked diligently at the Warrington Campus to provide exceptional services for students. She also took on the lead role as Director, Student Engagement and Leadership working with department staff to provide student activities for the district. Her leadership has been instrumental in the wake of the COVID pandemic. She challenges her staff to look for best practice ways to engage with students and she regularly measures outcomes to determine if strategies are effective.”
“We are fortunate to have Katie on our staff and this recognition not only shines honor on Katie but also Pensacola State College,” said PSC President Ed Meadows.
Hudon said she is fortunate to be at PSC.
“Despite attending different institutions and working in different field, my story has come full circle in getting me back to the College where it all began for me as a dual-enrollment student many years ago.”