“Advancing” My Career

After 12 years in public higher education as a faculty member, division chair and academic dean, I decided a little over seven years ago to try administration at a private, Catholic college. It was not just any Catholic college, it was College of Saint Mary (CSM), whose mission is dedicated to the education of women, and provides an environment that calls forth potential and fosters leadership. And for me, in the words of Robert Frost, “that has made all the difference.”

Once again this past summer, my road forked as I chose to leave nearly 20 years in academic affairs to pursue leading alumnae & donor relations at CSM. To some this seemed an odd choice, I suppose, but I was itchy for a new challenge. What better choice, it seemed, than to convey the many stories that I have accumulated over these years at CSM to the friends and supporters of the college. 

I have always believed that education has the power to change lives. This has never been more evident to me than at CSM. Not only do the best, brightest and most gifted succeed at this university, but also those students whose life path has been more difficult are given opportunities. This happens because donors and alumnae of the college provide scholarships that allow high school graduates, transfer students, single mothers, undocumented women and students of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds an equal opportunity for an education.

How can I resist telling the story of the student who “just had to be a nurse” and became one; or the occupational therapy student without enough food to feed her children, who has graduated and now has a wonderful job. What greater fulfillment is there than seeing students understand immigration challenges through firsthand service learning trips; or watching them rediscover their spirituality in a theology classes they weren’t sure they wanted to take? So, it seemed logical to make this transition from creating academic programs to telling the story of the good they do. 

With my transition complete we’re off to a great start this fall in alumnae & donor relations and I’m very proud of our team. First, we renamed the CSM Fund, the Access Fund because the name focuses on what the financial support does….it provides access to education.

Secondly, we completed our community drive (where we ask the campus faculty and staff to contribute to the college) and received 100 percent participation. This is very impressive given that few schools achieve anything close to this percentage of giving, but I think it tells why people work at CSM. Our faculty, staff and administration are proud of our University, the work they do here and the difference it makes for our students.

Our graduates tell us their program of study was challenging and they are pleased with their degree. Surveys show that alumnae, a year after graduation, are thrilled with the education they received and their employers tell us they are some of the best employees they have hired. Our academic programs are accredited, our student retention is hitting record highs and our campus is beautiful! Is there really a better story to tell? 

If my brief recounting of student stories and college successes has piqued your interest and you want to hear more let me know, because I have many left to tell and there is nothing I love to recount more (well except perhaps tales of my new grandbaby)!

I look forward to meeting all of you in the coming months. Please join me in this great adventure of changing lives through education.

– Dr. Christine Pharr
Vice President for Alumnae & Donor Relations