Seton Hill University President Mary C. Finger, Ed.D., has announced the appointment of Molly Robb Shimko as the University’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Robb Shimko will assume her new role on July 1, 2018.

As Vice President, Robb Shimko is responsible for the institutional fundraising, external communications and alumni activities. She succeeds Christine Mueseler, who will retire as Vice President following 26 years of service.  Mueseler has agreed to continue at Seton Hill in a part-time, leadership capacity as Executive Director for the Capital Campaign.  Her appointment is effective July 1, 2018.

“Molly Robb Shimko is a proven leader whose work over the past 19 years has been extraordinary in garnering substantial financial support and attention for Seton Hill University, its programs, and its students.  She has been a key part of the university's growth and development,” President Finger said. “Her commitment to Seton Hill, its alumni and students, and her fervent belief in the university’s mission make her well-equipped to lead Seton Hill’s advancement efforts.”

“I am honored to be named Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Seton Hill and will build upon the relationships with alumni, faculty, staff, students, Trustees, Sisters of Charity and members of the Greensburg and Pittsburgh communities that I have developed during my nearly two-decade tenure with the university,” Robb Shimko said. “I value the opportunity to help Seton Hill advance initiatives that enhance and improve the quality of our students' academic and social experiences. With my advancement colleagues, I especially look forward to working with the university's alumni and friends to continue the momentum of our Centennial Campaign for Student Scholarships."

Molly Robb Shimko served as Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Chief Communications Officer for Seton Hill since 2004. Previously, she served as Director of Development and Media Relations, and Director of Development, positions she held at the university since 1999. 

Throughout her tenure with Seton Hill, Robb Shimko has been instrumental in generating major campaign, Annual Fund, and planned gifts and secured the university’s first one million-dollar commitment from an individual donor. The most recently completed comprehensive capital campaign for campus expansion, which ended successfully in 2016, exceeded its $75 million goal, achieving more than $83 million. As Chief Communications Officer, Robb Shimko led the creation of a Crisis Communications Plan for Seton Hill and developed a media relations program for the university that tripled print and broadcast coverage at the local, regional and national levels including placements with The New York Times; The Chronicle of Higher Education; and, PBS’ Nightly Business Report.

In recent years, Robb Shimko has served as liaison to Board of Trustees on issues of governance, board development, presidential transition and strategic communications.  In addition, she has served as liaison to the Academic Innovation and Planning Advisory Board that supports discussion about potential new programs based on environmental needs and understanding of trends. She is a member of the President's Task Force for Catholic Setonian Mission.  

Prior to her work at Seton Hill, Robb Shimko served as Director of Major Gifts and Associate Director of Development at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa. Before joining Chatham, Robb Shimko worked as Development Officer for the Annual Fund at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.

Molly Robb Shimko’s community and professional activities include service on the Catholic Charities Board of the Diocese of Greensburg, where she currently serves as secretary; on the Mental Health America Southwestern Pennsylvania Board, where she served as president; the Excela Health Patient Family Advisory Council; and the Saint Vincent Alumni Council of which she is a past president. She is a past participant in The Senior Leadership Academy, a competitive program of The Council of Independent Colleges and The American Academic Leadership Institute and is a member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council, and the Public Relations Society of America.

A Distinguished Alumna of Saint Vincent College, Robb Shimko has also been honored with the Winners' Circle Westmoreland County Award for Community Service, and the Fred Funari Mental Health America of Southwestern Pennsylvania Award of Distinction.

Molly Robb Shimko earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Seton Hill University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Saint Vincent College. She resides in Latrobe, Pa. with her husband, Kenneth A. Shimko, P.E.