March 22, 2024
Dear Pitzer Community,
I am writing to provide an update on the process for selecting a settled Vice President for College Advancement. Gary Cordova is currently serving as the Interim Vice President for Advancement and Communications.
In order to bring renewed focus to the core aspects of our constituent engagement programs and fundraising efforts, and to tell the Pitzer story more broadly, we will be shifting responsibility for College Communications out of the Advancement operation and into the Office of the President, where it will report to Vice President and Chief of Staff Jim Marchant effective July 1, 2024.
I have been working closely with Human Resources on the process for recruiting and hiring a chief advancement officer. Our goal is to appoint someone for the role who will begin prior to the start of the fall semester.
We are assembling a search committee with campus-wide representation and have engaged an executive search firm to assist the College in a national search (open to both internal and external candidates) for our next leader of College Advancement.
A detailed calendar of activities for the search includes the following key milestones:
· March 1 – 31: Conduct Listening Sessions and Finalize Position Profile
· April 1 – April 30: Finalize Search Committee, Post/Advertise Opportunity, Recruit Candidates
· May 1 – May 15: Screen Candidates and Conduct Initial Interviews
· May 15 – May 30: Conduct Interviews of Final Candidates
· August 2024: Settled Vice President Assumes Role
I am excited to recruit and hire an outstanding leader who will work collaboratively with members of our community, both within the College and beyond it, to enhance constituent engagement and secure the vital resources needed to support and advance Pitzer’s mission.
More information will be shared as the process continues.
Sincerely,
Strom C. Thacker
President
