UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Susan E. Bohna, a seasoned fundraising professional with more than 20 years of higher education development experience, has been named director of development and alumni relations for Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs (SIA), effective Sept. 11.
Bohna joins the law school and SIA from the Penn State College of Engineering, where she has served as director of major gifts since August 2013.
“I am thrilled to welcome Susan Bohna to Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs as our new director of development,” said Hari Osofsky, dean of the two schools. “Her combination of years of successful leadership experience in development, a doctorate degree in higher education leadership, and innovative ideas for our units makes her a perfect match for this role. We are delighted to have a development professional of her caliber joining our leadership team.”
Bohna holds a doctorate of education as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees in journalism from West Virginia University.
“As relatively young schools at the University, Penn State Law and the School of International Affairs have huge potential for growth, and I am delighted to be joining both schools to lead their development and alumni relations efforts,” said Bohna. “Dean Osofsky has ambitious plans for both schools, and I’m looking forward to working strategically with the faculty and administration of the law school and SIA to help realize them.”
Prior to joining Penn State, Bohna was senior director of development for the Russ College of Engineering at Ohio University, where she was responsible for increasing private gifts to the college. Her previous higher education fundraising experience includes service as associate vice president for institutional advancement at Newman University and director of development for the Wichita State University Endowment Association.
Bohna started her career in university development as a student at West Virginia University, and continued after graduation as director of development for the Reed College of Media and the university’s libraries. She has also served as the director of university relations for Waynesburg University and as an adjunct professor and instructor at West Virginia University, among other positions.
At Penn State Law and SIA, Bohna will lead a team of development and alumni relations professionals to raise funds to support both schools’ major strategic initiatives and to foster alumni engagement. These efforts will prioritize developing student scholarships and career opportunities and partnering with other Penn State colleges and campuses to serve the Commonwealth and world. As the schools strive to provide legal and international affairs education for a changing society, Bohna’s team will play a key role in supporting needed innovation.
Bohna will also lead the schools’ efforts in A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence, a fast-paced campaign focused on the three key imperatives of a public university. Private support will keep the door to higher education open and enable students to graduate on time and on track to success; create transformative experiences on Penn State campuses and around the globe that tap the full potential of Penn Staters to make a difference; and impact the world through discovery, innovation, and entrepreneurship. To learn more, visit greaterpennstate.psu.edu.