Matthew Donato will begin working as the new Pitzer College Director of Career Services and Associate Dean of Students as early as mid-May, according to an e-mail sent to the student body Feb. 28.
Donato is currently Director of Alumni Career and Affinity Programs at the University of Chicago, where he has worked since 2005. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Georgetown University.
“He worked closely with alumni at the University of Chicago, and he understands Pitzer’s values, Pitzer’s culture, and he was just phenomenal in his interview,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Jim Marchant, who was in charge of hiring Donato. “Students really responded well to him. Staff that work in the office that he’ll be supervising are very supportive of the decision.”
An external review last spring providing recommendations for improving Pitzer’s career resources was the impetus for the decision to hire a new director.
“Over the course of the review, they came up with a number of recommendations, which included changing some of the outreach and marketing efforts of the office, and changing how the office interacts with and assists students in general, strengthening some of the services – particularly alumni connections,” Marchant said. “After the review we did some implementation of those recommendations and then it became clear we had to make some changes in terms of leadership.”
In order to find a new director, Pitzer conducted a national search and received over 80 applications. Ten applicants received phone interviews and four were invited to campus. The search committee consisted of students, faculty and staff. Alumni and parents were also invited to provide feedback.
“We’re all very excited and happy for him to be coming. He seems to have a lot of great experience and energy,” said Assistant Director of Career Services Theresa Flores Roberts, a member of the search committee.
“He’ll provide some new energy, some new ideas, and I think really take us to the next level when it comes to the career center,” Marchant said.