New Director of Development and Foundation Executive Director

The Columbia College President’s Office, together with the Columbia College Foundation, is pleased to announce that Amanda Stephens has been hired as the Director of Development for the College and Executive Director for the Foundation. Margie Bulkin, President of the Columbia College Foundation, is thrilled with the selection and commented that “Amanda will lead the Foundation forward, embracing our mission to promote quality higher education that enriches the academic, economic, and cultural life in our community.”

Amanda brings abundant skill and talent to this new role. An 8-year employee of the College, she has spent the last two years as the Foundation Specialist, supporting Amy Nilson, former Director of Development, with all aspects of this important work. Prior to her work in Fund Development, she served as a Grants Support Specialist and a Program Specialist with a primary focus on Columbia College’s Apprenticeship Initiative.

Her connection to the Community College learning model is personal. She graduated from Hartnell Community College in Salinas, CA with an Associate of Arts degree in Transfer Studies and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Davis. Her educational journey is similar to the path pursued by many of today’s Columbia College students.

Tapping into her vast experience, Amanda will provide leadership to all aspects of fundraising at both the College and the Foundation. She will focus on growing the College’s many revenue streams including grants, scholarships, gifts from individuals, and the College Promise that provides “free tuition and fees” to seniors who enroll at Columbia immediately following High School graduation. Her work will be “student focused” as she raises funds to support student success.

Remarking on her new role, Amanda said “I am honored to be selected for this important role at Columbia College. I look forward to many opportunities to connect with donors, the community at-large, and colleagues at Columbia College as we work together for the benefit of all students.”