College of Education Welcomes New Director of Development & Alumni Relations

by David Price (October 2010)

University Park, Pa. -- The College of Education has welcomed a new director of development. Michelle Houser joined the College in that capacity in October, succeeding Ellie Dietrich who retired in July.

Michelle brings more than 10 years of fundraising experience to the position. For the past four years she served as a major gifts officer at the University of Pittsburgh's Medical and Health Sciences Foundation. She worked previously as a development officer at Duke University and Allegheny College.

Michelle is a native of Titusville, Pa., (Crawford County) and has strong ties to Penn State and the College of Education. She holds a journalism degree from the College of Communications, and her father—the first in his family to attend college—was a Penn State grad, as well. When he passed away, his college friends and Michelle's family established an endowed award in his memory for Penn State Forestry students.

Michelle's sister Jen and Jen's husband, Jeff, graduated from the College of Education's Professional Development Schools (PDS) program and now mentor State College Area School District students in the PDS program. Michelle's sister Suzanne and Suzanne's husband, Mike, also graduated from Penn State and work at the University, as does Michelle's husband, Michael.

"It is a true honor to return to my alma mater in this role," Michelle says. "I look forward to working with the College's alumni and friends to build upon the momentum of our development and alumni relations programs."

Michelle's office is in 250-A Chambers Building, University Park. Her email address is mkb117@psu.edu.