ALTOONA, Pa. — Rebecca Moran has been named the director of development and alumni relations at Penn State Altoona, effective Aug. 3.
“I am thrilled to welcome Rebecca to this critical directorship,” said Ron Darbeau, chancellor and dean at Penn State Altoona. “Her loyalty to Penn State Altoona, the local community and our wonderful alumni and friends, together with her many years of development experience and overlap with our recently retired senior director of development and alumni relations Mary Ann Amato, have positioned her to do brilliant, impactful work on behalf of the college. I am grateful to the leadership in development for the urgent diligence with which this search was conducted and for arriving at a most remarkable choice. I look forward to many years of Rebecca’s strategic, thoughtful and caring excellence.”
In her position as director of development and alumni relations, Moran will be responsible for guiding and overseeing all development and alumni relations activities for Penn State Altoona’s high-potential constituencies. She will lead efforts to engage alumni and friends as partners in supporting the college, working closely with college leadership, University development partners and central offices to advance fundraising priorities, identify and cultivate prospects and secure major gifts that support Penn State Altoona’s mission.
Moran will also supervise, train, and mentor a team of fundraisers, alumni relations professionals, and support staff, while developing annual goals, plans, and budgets for a comprehensive fundraising program. In addition, she will recruit and guide volunteer leaders, manage a portfolio of top prospects and travel extensively to build lasting relationships and advance the college’s priorities as an ambassador for Penn State Altoona.
“Rebecca is superbly well-positioned to take on this important leadership role for our team at Penn State Altoona,” said Geoff Halberstadt, associate vice president for colleges, campuses and units for Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations. “I am grateful to have Rebecca guiding and coaching our team, and I look forward to partnering with her in the months and years to come,”
Moran brings more than 13 years of experience in advancement, fundraising, donor relations and alumni engagement. A Penn State Altoona alumna, she returned to her alma mater as director of major gifts in May 2025 after serving in advancement roles with the Mount Nittany Health Foundation and Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development. Moran began her career in Penn State Altoona’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations.
“The opportunity to serve as director of development and alumni relations is truly a full-circle moment for me,” said Moran. “As a Penn State Altoona graduate and someone who began my career in advancement on this campus, I am honored to step into this role. I look forward to partnering with our alumni, donors and friends to create new opportunities for students, strengthen the impact of philanthropy and help advance the future of Penn State Altoona.”
Support for Penn State Altoona advances the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.