FAIRFIELD, Conn.—Sacred Heart University has appointed Robert Gilmore executive director of alumni engagement & events. His main responsibility is to connect with graduates and to widen the University’s alumni network.
Gilmore earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Sacred Heart in 2007 and his master’s degree in teaching from SHU in 2009. He has served as director of both graduate life and campus experience at Sacred Heart, ensuring that incoming students felt welcome and part of the University’s community.
“As an Pioneer himself, Rob has a connection to his fellow alumni and understands the significance of being a lifelong Pioneer,” said Paul J. Sutera, senior vice president of University advancement. “I have no doubt Rob will establish crucial connections to widen our alumni network, along with providing value-added programming and activities that alumni desire and deserve. His time at SHU has been a wonderful training for continuing the lifelong engagement of our 56,000-person alumni network. With Rob’s leadership, along with his existing and future Sacred Heart relationships, we look forward to having even greater participation and engagement from our alumni Pioneer family locally and globally.”
In a question-and-answer interview, Gilmore shared how his experiences at SHU will help him succeed in his new role.
What is one thing you would like SHU alumni to know about you?
I think many alumni may already know me from their time at Sacred Heart, but for those who don’t, I have been at SHU 20 years, including my time as an undergraduate student, graduate student and then as a staff member in student affairs and undergraduate admissions. I am a Pioneer through and through, and I’m proud of that. My wife graduated from SHU in 2009, and we have two children who are already part of the SHU community and hopefully, future Pioneers.
What are some of your goals as executive director of alumni engagement & events?
I also want alumni to connect with each other through more alumni chapters throughout the country and beyond. The more we allow alumni to get to know each other, the more widespread our alumni network becomes. Chapters, along with online solutions like Pioneers Connect, provide needed opportunities for Pioneers to further engage in the SHU community.
How will your past roles at SHU help in this new position?
Working as the director of campus experience for 13 years enabled me to meet and get to know thousands of SHU students. I hope to reconnect with many, if not all of them, at some point to revisit their Pioneer experiences. I also think my ability to build relationships with our partner offices and departments across campus will enable us to establish new and lasting connections with our alumni.
What attracted you to this position?
As a proud Pioneer, there is no greater badge of honor than working with our vast alumni community. There is so much this amazing group can achieve. We are going to make every SHU graduate an important part of the conversation and the vision to move ahead boldly and together as Pioneers.
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About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 389 Colleges: 2024 Edition, and Best Business Schools: 2023 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu