Carnegie Mellon University has named Robin Mitchell the chief advancement officer for the University Libraries and the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), effective August 26. Mitchell is currently the executive director of development for University Priorities at the University of Virginia.
In her current role, Mitchell sets and leads strategy for the University Priorities unit, which includes six teams — University Advancement’s regional gift officers, Global Affairs, University Library, Reunion Giving, Discovery Ambassadors, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She has successfully led multi million-dollar campaigns, generated substantial gift revenue, and fostered strong relationships with donors and stakeholders.
At Carnegie Mellon, Mitchell will channel these skills to help generate additional support for interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, finding new ways to support students, expanding and enhancing research, and creating modern learning spaces. Partnering closely with Helen and Henry Posner, Jr. Dean of the University Libraries Keith Webster, she will help set a strategic advancement vision for the University Libraries, the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), IDeATe, and CMU’s sustainability programs with oversight of a broad range of unit-level advancement functions encompassing major gifts, donor relations, annual giving, events, alumni and constituent engagement, and management of the unit’s advisory board. Mitchell will be a senior leader within the Division of University Advancement and serve as a member of the CMU Advancement Leadership Council.
“Together with Libraries faculty and staff, the executive team, and our esteemed campus partners, I am excited to build a coalition of enthusiastic and savvy donors who care about libraries in a historic and modern framework,” Mitchell said. “Additionally, I am inspired by the ample opportunities to generate support for and celebrate the work at the Entertainment Technology Center, further the success of IDeATe, and make an impact through sustainability programming. I am grateful to the Dean and the search committee for putting their trust in me to accomplish these tasks.”
Mitchell has held similar fundraising, strategy development, and leadership positions as senior associate director of development for Student Life and Scholarships at Northwestern University and director of development for Parent Association and campaign director for the $80 Million Scholarship Campaign at Loyola University Chicago. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University Chicago.
“We are delighted to welcome Robin aboard during a time of unprecedented growth and innovation at the Libraries and the ETC,” said Webster. “As we continue to expand our offerings and develop the programs and facilities of the future, I look forward to discovering what new kinds of advances additional support for our academic mission will unlock.”
by Sarah Bender, Communications Coordinator