Kim Leff & Mandy Pennington
From Marywood to the World Stage: Alumni Duo Brings Scranton to Edinburgh
For Kim Leff '01 and Mandy Pennington '10, M.A. '11, 糖心app was more than a place to earn a degree. It was where they discovered the confidence to embrace new opportunities, built lifelong friendships, and developed creative passions that continue to shape their lives today. Now, the two alumni are taking those experiences to an international stage as members of the cast of Ulysses of Scranton, which will travel to the renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland in 2026.
Although they graduated nearly a decade apart, Kim and Mandy share a common thread. Both found a welcoming community at Marywood that encouraged them to step beyond their comfort zones and pursue opportunities they never imagined. Kim initially enrolled at Marywood to study nutrition and dietetics before earning her bachelor's degree in Legal Studies/Paralegal. Today, she works as a Real Estate Paralegal at Maloney Law, PC, in Scranton, while continuing her passion for theater.
"I chose Marywood because I loved the campus," Kim said. "The staff and faculty were super nice and helpful, and I liked being able to commute." Mandy earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Communication Arts and now serves as Senior Director of Digital and Strategic Marketing at Wilkes University."From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt at home," Mandy recalled. "I wanted a small campus experience with opportunities to learn by doing, and Marywood offered all of that and more."
The people they met at Marywood left a lasting impression on both women. Kim fondly remembers a freshman creative writing professor whose imaginative assignments unexpectedly introduced her to the world of theater. "The writing assignments were super unique and fun," Kim said. "Looking back, I guess it was an introduction to theater. It helped break those freshman nerves and taught me to have fun while learning."
For Mandy, mentorship defined much of her Marywood experience. "The people at Marywood made the experience for me," she said. "Paul Sevensky became my mentor, while Ann Williams, Tricia Richards-Service, and Rod Carveth encouraged me to take big swings. I also made lifelong friends, and my first internship came from a recommendation from a fellow Marywood alum."
While Kim spends her days working in real estate law, theater has remained an important part of her life since graduation. "I became involved in the local theater scene approximately 24 years ago after graduating from Marywood." Her proudest accomplishment has been performing with Ulysses of Scranton. "Acting wise, absolutely being a part of this incredible cast and crew of Ulysses of Scranton and going to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival."
Mandy has built a successful career in digital marketing while embracing countless creative opportunities, including serving as Board Chair of Scranton Fringe, writing a memoir, teaching at both Marywood and Wilkes University, and performing internationally. "One of the core rules of improv is to say 'yes, and...,'" she explained. "Saying 'yes, and...' to new opportunities and connections has given me more than I could have ever imagined." She credits Marywood with providing the foundation for both her professional and creative success. "The skills I learned at Marywood, including communication, leadership, time management, and collaboration, prepared me for my career. Marywood also gave me the freedom to pursue my creative interests. I never once felt like I couldn't try something."
Today, both alumni remain deeply involved with Scranton Fringe. Kim says the organization reminds her of the same sense of community she found at Marywood. "The Scranton Fringe Festival is very reminiscent of the same sense of connecting with myself and with a much larger community that I felt while at Marywood." For Mandy, sharing the stage with Kim has made the experience even more meaningful. "It has been wonderful to work with Kim on a variety of productions over the years," she said. "Each has been a joy."
Following successful performances in Scranton and Ballina, Ireland, Ulysses of Scranton will head to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2026. "It was such an amazing experience getting to perform in Ireland," Mandy said. "Ulysses of Scranton is a love letter to going after the impossible. I can think of no better illustration than a show produced independently in Scranton being performed in three countries."
Looking back, both alumni believe Marywood shaped them personally as much as professionally. "Going to Marywood definitely helped to open me up and gave me a sense of myself and my place in the big wide world," Kim reflected. Mandy agrees. "Higher education changed my life for the better. It helped me see the possibilities in life and gave me opportunities I never imagined."
Their advice to current students is simple: get involved. "Don't be like me," Kim laughed. "Join clubs and participate in activities. You never know where one opportunity might lead. Stepping outside my comfort zone eventually put me on a path to Edinburgh and introduced me to people who have become family." Mandy echoed that message. "College is absolutely what you make of it. If you invest in your studies, extracurriculars, and relationships, that energy comes back to you tenfold. It's life changing."
As Ulysses of Scranton prepares for its next international performance, Kim and Mandy are proud to represent both their hometown and their alma mater. Their story is a reminder that a Marywood education extends far beyond the classroom, providing the confidence, creativity, and community to pursue opportunities wherever they may lead.