St. Joseph’s College welcomed Rory Shaffer-Walsh today as the school’s new vice president for institutional advancement.
The Patchogue, New York, resident assumed responsibility for all areas related to fundraising, alumni relations, planned and major gifts, and special events. Carrying more than two decades of industry experience, Ms. Shaffer-Walsh oversees both SJC Long Island and SJC Brooklyn’s offices of Institutional Advancement.
“I am thrilled to have Rory at St. Joseph’s College,” St. Joseph’s President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., said. “She was chosen unanimously in a very competitive national search process as the candidate most capable of successfully leading our talented advancement team.”
Ms. Shaffer-Walsh, now a key member of President Dr. Boomgaarden’s leadership team, boasts a long and distinguished career in higher education as a development professional. She most recently served as executive director of University Advancement at Adelphi University, where she worked in a variety of capacities for the last 10 years.
She said she is inspired by the leadership, faculty and staff commitment to students at St. Joseph’s.
“The focus on student success through a personalized approach — all rooted in St. Joseph’s commitment to service and the liberal arts — creates an atmosphere of uncompromising dedication that I am pleased to join,” Ms. Shaffer-Walsh said.
Vast Experience
Shaffer-Walsh also held a number of progressively advancing positions in admissions at Long Island University and Adelphi. She holds professional memberships with CASE, APLI, PPGGNY and ADRP. Shaffer-Walsh has a master’s in international studies from Central Connecticut University and a B.A. in political science from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York.
“She has a proven track record in fundraising, and she is deeply committed to the mission of our College, the Sisters of St. Joseph and the value of higher education,” Dr. Boomgaarden said.
Ms. Shaffer-Walsh will work out of offices at SJC Brooklyn and SJC Long Island.