SARATOGA SPRINGS – Skidmore College has named Sean P. Campbell as the new Collyer vice president for advancement, effective Oct. 16. In this role, Campbell will provide strategic leadership and direction for all aspects of the college’s fundraising and alumni engagement efforts and serve as a key member of the President’s Cabinet.
Campbell brings 18 years of fundraising and alumni relations experience to Skidmore, most recently serving as managing director of individual giving at the University of Chicago Medicine. Since 2012, he has led a team responsible for raising millions of dollars in philanthropic resources for the university’s Pritzker School of Medicine, research and clinical programs, Kovler Diabetes Center, and community health programs.
Employed by the University of Chicago since 2007, Campbell had served for four years as senior director for the Midwest/Southern Regional Office, responsible for the Chicago Society—a leadership annual-giving program—major gifts, and alumni-relations programs and events in greater Chicago and 25 states.
Previously, Campbell spent 10 years in the advancement office at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, as director of the parents and family association, leadership giving officer, and director of leadership giving and donor programs during the college’s largest fundraising campaign.
Campbell holds a BA in journalism and communications from the University of Maine.
At Skidmore, he will lead 55 employees within the Office of Advancement, which includes development, alumni relations and college events, as well as advancement services. He assumes his position as the college prepares for the public launch of a “Creating Our Future” campaign in November. It is dedicated to the principles of creativity, opportunity and independence, with a fundraising goal of $200 million.
Campbell succeeds Kimberly M. Verstandig. She has served as interim vice president since the departure of Michael T. Casey, who stepped down in March to become vice president for advancement at Trinity College after 17 years at Skidmore. Verstandig will return to her previous role as Skidmore’s campaign director and associate vice president for advancement.
