Melissa Komora named VP for advancement at Skidmore College

Melissa Komora, a seasoned advancement professional with more than a quarter-century of experience in philanthropy and higher education, has been named the Collyer Vice President for Advancement at Skidmore College.

Komora joins Skidmore from Susquehanna University, where she has served as vice president for advancement since 2018. Among her many accomplishments, Melissa oversaw Susquehanna’s Give Rise campaign, the largest in the university’s history, which exceeded its $160 million goal by $25 million.

At Skidmore, Komora will lead the College’s fundraising and alumni engagement efforts, partnering with College leadership and supporters to bolster the institutional priorities outlined in Skidmore College’s new strategic plan. She will oversee an advancement team of nearly 50, strengthen relationships with donors and alumni, and secure major gifts to support the College’s highest priorities.

“I’m immensely pleased to have Melissa joining our leadership team at Skidmore. Her experience with running ambitious campaigns at liberal arts colleges will be a great boost to our plans,” said Skidmore College President Marc C. Conner. “She is a proven leader and a strong advocate for the liberal arts mission, and I look forward to partnering with her for Skidmore’s future."

Before joining Susquehanna University, Komora spent many years in New York’s Capital District, including nearly a decade in leadership positions at Russell Sage College, where she served as vice president of institutional advancement. There, she successfully led the college’s largest campaign and oversaw strong increases in giving and alumni participation.

A graduate of the former Fontbonne University in St. Louis, she also holds a Master of Business Administration from Russell Sage College.

“I look forward to the opportunity to work with President Conner, Skidmore’s dedicated Advancement team, College leadership, and our entire Skidmore community to increase financial aid for students; support faculty and their innovative initiatives; sustain Skidmore’s beautiful campus facilities; and advance Skidmore’s mission and values,” Komora said. “As a first-generation college graduate of a liberal arts institution, I have experienced firsthand the power of the liberal arts as a foundation for success in career and life, and I know how much Creative Thought Matters.”

President Conner expressed thanks to the search committee, the staff of the executive search firm WittKieffer; and the many Skidmore community members who supported the search.

Komora will begin her new role on June 1. 

(Photo courtesy of Susquehanna University.)