Skidmore College appoints new Collyer Vice President for Advancement

Carey Anne Zucca, a demonstrated high-impact fundraiser in the field of higher education, has been named the new Collyer Vice President for Advancement at Skidmore College.  

In this role, Zucca will provide strategic leadership and direction for all aspects of the College’s fundraising and alumni engagement efforts and will serve as a key member of the President’s Cabinet. She will lead more than 50 employees within the Office of Advancement, including Development, Alumni Relations and College Events, and Advancement Services.  

Zucca has served as senior executive director of development and alumni affairs at University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering since 2015 and has been a leader in stewardship and fundraising efforts at the university since 2007.  

“Throughout her career, Carey Anne has successfully navigated nearly every role in advancement and development work,” said Skidmore President Marc C. Conner. “Her bold and aspirational vision for this role and for Skidmore’s future, combined with her abilities in stewardship, fundraising, leading a unit and working collaboratively across an institution, will serve her well in leading our Advancement efforts at Skidmore.” 

Zucca’s accomplishments at the University of Pittsburgh include achieving a three-year fundraising average of $14 million for the Swanson School of Engineering; securing an eight-figure gift to fully endow the Pitt EXCEL Program for underrepresented minorities; supervising and working closely with development and alumni affairs, marketing and communications and corporate foundations teams; and managing alumni events.   

“Carey Anne is a donor-centric collaborator who built a foundation of trust with our donors that reflects her dedication to her work and tenure at the Swanson School. Her ethic and strategic approach made my transition as U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering almost effortless, and for that I am grateful,” James R. Martin II said of his work with Zucca at University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering. “Skidmore will benefit enormously from her many talents, especially her sincere passion for alumni and donor engagement that ultimately benefits the students.”  

Zucca holds a Master of Public Policy and Management degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public & International Affairs, and a bachelor’s degree in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  

She was chosen from a strong field of candidates in a highly competitive, national search led by Isaacson, Miller. She will assume her new position at Skidmore on July 1. 

“I am very excited to join the Advancement team and to work with President Conner and the Skidmore community to support the College’s mission and phenomenal programs,” said Zucca. “I will proudly bring creative thought to the role, and I look forward to being a part of Skidmore’s bright future as a continued leader in the liberal arts.”