Penn State Hazleton announces director of development

HAZLETON, Pa. — Christen Reese has been hired as director of development at Penn State Hazleton, Chancellor Gary Lawler announced.

“I am delighted we have attracted such a strong candidate as Christen Reese," Lawler said. "Her experience in major gift work and her enthusiasm for Penn State and our campus will enable her to provide strong leadership to our campaign, 'A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence.' Christen will be a good fit with Hazleton’s leadership team as she brings a strong fundraising background to her role at our campus.”

Christen Reese

Christen Reese

Credit: Penn State

In her role as director of development, Reese will manage all aspects of advancement and development at the campus, leading campus development efforts to successfully identify, cultivate and solicit alumni and friends in support of fundraising goals for Penn State Hazleton. She will help foster loyalty to the University and campus while developing and continuing relationships with current and prospective donors.

Reese will develop goals for annual fundraising and campaigns, including the current campaign, "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," and oversee activities to support those objectives. She will work in partnership with campus leadership, volunteers and the campus advisory board to collaborate on successful fundraising efforts.

Reese brings experience in combined fundraising, consulting and prospect management for nonprofit organizations. Prior to coming to Penn State Hazleton, she worked as manager of prospect research for Hackensack University Medical Center. Reese also worked as an account executive and data and information specialist at Ghiorsi & Sorrenti Inc., where she managed campaigns and major gift strategy, among other duties. The organization is a full-service philanthropic consulting firm that specializes in planning and conducting comprehensive campaigns and major gifts efforts.

She has served for 14 years as co-organizer of a golf outing for the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, benefiting the Four Diamonds Fund and pediatric cancer research.

Reese holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in telecommunications from Penn State.