UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Kary L. Coleman has been named director of development for Penn State New Kensington. As director, she is entrusted with managing the campus' fundraising efforts and working with the chancellor in developing goals and executing strategies. She assumes the duties that were previously performed by Donna Speer, who resigned in February.
Coleman joins the campus community July 27 after seven years as director of development information at Seton Hill University, where she was responsible for stewardship, special events, annual giving appeals and developing fundraising goals. Prior to Seton Hill, she was athletic development director for the Mount Lebanon School district and senior development consultant and project manager for Fayette County Community Action Agency Inc.
“Kary brings substantial experience to the role having served in four different development positions at three different institutions,” said Kevin Snider, chancellor. “She also is familiar with Penn State as she is an adjunct professor at the Fayette campus. Kary will be a great fit for our campus.”
For the past 15 years, Coleman served as adjunct professor in communications arts and sciences at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, in Uniontown. She teaches courses in effective communication practices, history and evolution of communication.
Coleman is active in the community, serving as president of the Rotary Club of Greensburg, public relations and marketing committee chair of Rotary International-District 7330 and a member of the executive cabinet of the United Way of Westmoreland County. In addition, she serves on the boards of Greensburg Salvation Army, Westmoreland County Food Bank, Seton Hill Alumni Association and Uniontown Women’s College Club. Coleman is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Public Relations Society of America, and College and University Public Relations Association of Pennsylvania.
The Greensburg resident received her bachelor's degree in communication and information arts from Seton Hill, where she graduated magna cum laude. She earned a master’s degree in communications studies from California University of Pennsylvania.
Coleman is excited about the opportunity to assist alumni and friends of Penn State in achieving their philanthropic goals. The focus of her fundraising efforts will be to increase the number of student scholarships.
The Development office is located on the third floor of the Conference Center, Room 145. Coleman can be reached at 724-334-6057 or kxc22@psu.edu.