Don Lenze, Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations
MPS, Human Resources and Employment Relations, Penn State
B.S., Accounting, Penn State
Don Lenze, senior director of development and alumni relations for Outreach and Online Education, has led the World Campus advancement team since March 2024. Lenze has worked in Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations for 16 years, starting his fundraising career at the University as an associate director of development and later director of major gifts in the College of Engineering before transitioning to lead the College of Arts and Architecture’s development and alumni relations team. In Arts and Architecture, he led alumni and donor relations across seven academic schools and departments as well as the Palmer Museum of Art and the Center for the Performing Arts. Lenze brings his transformative leadership to Outreach and Online Education as a proud World Campus alumnus himself.
Email: dml102@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-8792
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Rob Butler, Director of Major Gifts
M.A., Television, Radio, and Film, Syracuse University
B.A., English, Bates College
Rob Butler, director of major gifts, has a fundraising portfolio that includes initiatives at Penn State World Campus, such as program and scholarship endowments. He joined the Penn State World Campus Development and Alumni Relations team in 1999, and he has held the positions of development assistant, assistant director, and associate director. Before his career in fundraising, Butler was a radio news anchor/reporter in Augusta, Maine, and an associate producer for television and radio at WPSU.
Email: rmbutler@psu.edu
Phone: 814-865-8283
Suzie Hoy, Administrative Support Assistant
Diploma in Accounting, South Hills School of Business and Technology
Suzie Hoy, administrative support assistant, joined the Penn State World Campus Development and Alumni Relations team in 2014. Previously, she was an administrative support assistant for the Grants and Contract Office in Outreach and Online Education. Her experience also includes providing administrative support for Statewide Continuing Education, Outreach Marketing, and Cooperative Extension.
Email: seh15@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-2437
Marcia Kimler, Associate Director of Alumni Relations
MBA, University of Nebraska
B.S., Biology, Radford University
Marcia Kimler, associate director of alumni relations, has been the go-to resource for more than 37,000 Penn State World Campus alumni since 2023. In her role, she coordinates innovative and inclusive events and programs around the U.S. and the world, provides meaningful student and alumni connection opportunities across World Campus, supports the Penn State World Campus Alumni Society Board and its initiatives, and works closely with the Penn State Alumni Association to provide additional social networking and professional development. She manages annual alumni awards processes, alumni giving and volunteering opportunities, and collaborations with the colleges.
Email: marciakimler@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-6923
LinkedIn
Cara Lucas, Development Assistant
B.S., Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State
Cara Lucas, development assistant, joined the Penn State World Campus Development and Alumni Relations team in November 2023. Her career at Penn State also includes positions with the Corporate Engagement Center, Employee Relations (Human Resources), and the College of Engineering Dean’s Office, as well as several years serving as the development assistant on the College of Engineering’s Development and Alumni Relations team. Before starting her career at Penn State in 2015, she spent several years as a parent educator/family counselor for Family Intervention Crisis Services in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.
Email: cem5176@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-6541
Nick McCarthy, Director of Development Communications and Senior Proposal Writer
M.A., English, Penn State
B.A., English and American Literature, University of Warwick, UK
Nick McCarthy, director of development communications and senior proposal writer, leads communications for the Penn State World Campus Development and Alumni Relations team, which includes managing volunteer campaign communications. Her responsibilities encompass researching and developing major proposals, developing relationships with foundations, and managing special projects. Previously, she was a publications writer for The Penn Stater, proposal writer for the Grand Destiny Campaign, and assistant director of the Center for Computational Mathematics and Applications at Penn State. She also served as a technical communications specialist with the Justice and Safety Institute in Penn State Outreach.
Email: njm9@psu.edu
Phone: 814-865-4342
Amy Sharer, Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations
Associate of Applied Science, Pennsylvania College of Technology
Amy Sharer, director of stewardship and donor relations, began her career at Penn State in the Office of the Senior Vice President and Dean for the Commonwealth Educational System. She spent several years as the development assistant for the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications and as assistant director in administrative information systems for Penn State Development and Alumni Relations. Sharer joined the World Campus Development and Alumni Relations team from the Penn State College of Engineering, where she served as the College’s stewardship coordinator.
Email: aqh1@psu.edu
Phone: 814-863-3328