Dear Pitzer Community,

After a competitive national search, I am pleased to announce that Kimberly Shiner will become Pitzer’s new Vice President for College Advancement and Communications effective August 1.

A proven and seasoned leader across multiple areas of both Advancement and Communications, Kimberly brings to this new role more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education as a successful fundraiser, team builder, and external relations professional. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President for University Advancement, Office of Philanthropic Giving at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), where she has worked for the past seven years. At CSUSB, Kimberly played a leadership role in the university’s first comprehensive campaign, which exceeded its $50 million goal and was completed a year ahead of schedule. In addition, she has been leading the planning for the university’s second fundraising campaign.

Prior to CSUSB, Kimberly was in leadership positions at the University of Southern California (USC), where she worked for 13 years in various roles, including Senior Executive Director of Development for USC Government and Civic Engagement, where she managed fundraising and communications for the division; Senior Associate Director of Foundation Relations for the Keck School of Medicine; and Executive Director of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations for the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, where she was a key member of the team that cultivated numerous principal gifts, including the $200 million gift to name the college. 

Preceding her work in educational advancement, Kimberly worked for several top communications firms in Los Angeles and Orange counties conducting media relations and developing strategic plans for agency clients.

Kimberly earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in public administration (nonprofit management) from California State University, Northridge. Throughout her professional life, Kimberly has distinguished herself as a passionate promoter of higher education and a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to civic engagement and service in many organizations at many levels.

As the candidate who received enthusiastic support from every constituency that interviewed her, I am confident Kimberly will be successful leading the recently combined areas of Advancement and Communications at Pitzer, and I know she will help further Pitzer’s ability to live out our values.

My sincere thanks to Laura Troendle for leading the search process and to the advisory committee members: Yvonne Berumen ’97, Sandy Vasquez, Patrice Langevin, Nigel Boyle, Marcus Rodriguez, Kaila Teague ’22, and select members of Student Senate, FEC, BIC, Diversity Committee, as well as the Advancement and Communications staff. I am also grateful for the insight and participation of several Pitzer trustees in the search process.

Please join me in welcoming Kimberly Shiner to the Pitzer community!

Provida Futuri,
Melvin L. Oliver President