Carolyn Campbell, PhD (SUNY Geneseo)
Carolyn Campbell, PhD, has been appointed as SUNY Geneseo’s vice president for college advancement and executive director of the Geneseo Foundation, effective June 4. Campbell has been serving in the interim vice president role since February 2025.
During her tenure as the interim vice president, Campbell quickly established strong relationships with the campus community and alumni and helped shepherd important partnerships between the College and the business community. Campbell oversaw the successful completion of the $45M Opportunities Rising campaign and continues to provide strategic leadership to the Geneseo Foundation during the transition of chairpersons from Bob Walley ’83 to Clare Cusack ’96. She’s also facilitated crucial partnerships, including the Deloitte Foundation study room in Milne and the Kodak Advanced Electrophysiology Lab.
Campbell’s appointment follows meaningful engagement and feedback sessions with the Senate Executive Committee, the advancement and alumni relations staff, the President’s Cabinet, and the leadership of the Foundation Board and the College Council.
“Thank you to the Geneseo community for embracing Carolyn and her leadership,” said SUNY Geneseo President Melinda Treadwell. “I am thrilled that Carolyn will continue to guide us with grace and excellence. She is a brilliant and valued colleague, and it has been a joy to work alongside her as we deepen our connections and amplify the foundation’s impact and support for our students. Our future is very bright with Carolyn and her dedicated team.”
Campbell brings more than three decades of progressive senior leadership experience in higher education advancement, nonprofit development, and healthcare philanthropy. Her career includes key roles in building corporate and foundation relations, leading regional campaign efforts, and earlier leadership positions in healthcare and community college advancement. In each role, Campbell demonstrated a consistent record of strategic vision, campaign leadership, and the ability to build strong relationships that advance institutional priorities.
Most recently, Campbell was founder and CEO of Higher Ground Consulting, advising colleges and nonprofits on fundraising strategy, organizational effectiveness, and leadership development. She previously served as vice president for development and alumni engagement at Washington & Jefferson College, leading a $125 million campaign and advancement operations. At Auburn University at Montgomery, she was vice chancellor for development/advancement, contributing to a system-wide billion-dollar campaign and expanding alumni and donor engagement.
“On behalf of the Geneseo Foundation Board of Directors, we are thrilled to support Carolyn Campbell as our VP of College Advancement and Executive Director of the Geneseo Foundation,” said Walley and Cusack. “We enthusiastically support President Treadwell’s decision to fill the role, which marks a tremendous step forward for both the foundation and the College. Carolyn will continue to provide consistent leadership and energy needed to expand philanthropic support, strengthen donor and alumni engagement, and further advance the College’s mission and future success.”
“I believe this is a pivotal and inspiring moment in Geneseo’s history with the leadership of President Treadwell, incoming Geneseo Foundation Board of Directors Chair Clare Cusack, and incoming SGAA (SUNY Geneseo Alumni Association) president, Rita Rogan,” said Campbell. “I see a future filled with incredible opportunities. I am thrilled to join this wonderful community and be a strategic partner with campus colleagues, alumni, corporate partners, and friends in advancing far-reaching and impactful initiatives for Geneseo’s future.”
Campbell holds a master’s degree in management from Faulkner University and a master’s and doctorate in higher education administration from Auburn University. She completed Harvard’s Institute for Educational Management program, holds a graduate certificate in College and University Teaching, and received a Fulbright U.S. International Education Administrator Award.
Author
Wendi Kinney
Chief of Staff