Hartwick College Names Hobson New Vice President for College Advancement
Hartwick College President Margaret L. Drugovich announced today that Paula Lee Hobson has been named Vice President for College Advancement. The appointment begins effective August 1, 2019.
Hobson joins Hartwick from Plymouth State University in Plymouth, NH, where she served as Vice President for University Advancement for five years. She takes over for Peg Luy, who has served in the position on an interim basis since January.
Hobson brings to Hartwick a distinguished track record in institutional advancement, development, and communications. She has worked in higher education for more than 20 years, and the private sector for an additional 15 years.
“I am delighted that Paula Lee has accepted our invitation to join Hartwick in this important leadership role,” said Drugovich. “She is an experienced, focused and successful fundraising professional. Paula Lee has the perfect combination of skills and personal qualities needed to lead this work as the college and our supporters imagine and shape Hartwick’s role in the future of American higher education.”
Hobson joins Hartwick after helping Plymouth State complete its record-setting Imagine a Way fundraising campaign and surpassing its $30 million institutional goal.
At Plymouth, she also oversaw the integration of its former marketing and public relations team into the University Advancement division, and led the newly formed marketing communications and creative services team in creating a successful integrated marketing communications plan.
“I am thrilled to join Hartwick College as the Vice President of College Advancement and lead an accomplished College Advancement team,” said Hobson. “The future of Hartwick is very bright, and I look forward to working closely with alumni and donors on the vision of Hartwick 225 and beyond.”
Previously, Hobson spent 16 years as Executive Director of Institutional Advancement for Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, NV. There, she was responsible for leading an award-winning staff that brought in more than $25 million through a fundraising campaign to enhance academic programs, capital projects, instructional equipment and student scholarships.
In 2013, her efforts helped land the College in the top 50 of Community College foundations in the country out of more than 1,200 two-year institutions.
She has won numerous fundraising and marketing industry awards throughout her career, including an Excellence Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Marketing Association. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Hobson earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Oregon. In 2008, she earned a master’s degree from the University of Nevada in journalism with a 4.0 grade point average.
A native of Coquille, OR, Hobson enjoys gardening, playing the piano, and outdoor sports.