WESTFIELD – May 26, 2016- After a nation-wide search assisted by Academic Search Inc., Westfield State University has selected Dr. Erica Broman as the new vice president for Institutional Advancement.
Dr. Erica Broman
“Dr. Broman is a seasoned advancement professional and I am confident that her decades of experience in higher education will serve her well in her new role progressing Westfield State University’s fundraising efforts,” said Westfield State University President Dr. Ramon S. Torrecilha.
Dr. Broman has served as executive director of the Holyoke Community College Foundation for more than 15 years. In her role, she has grown the assets and the outreach of the Foundation fivefold. Under her leadership, the Foundation has the accrued the largest endowment of any community college in the state, secured two $1 million gifts from alumni, and oversaw the awarding of more than 200 endowed scholarships annually.
Prior to serving as executive director, she served a number of roles including director of Marketing at Western New England College, director of Marketing and Public Relations at Holyoke Community College, and director of Marketing and Development at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. She holds a B.A. in fine arts from Miami University, an M.B.A. from the UMass Amherst, and an Ed.D. in higher education administration from Northeastern University.
Dr. Broman has been actively involved in a number of community boards. She is a board member of the National Conference for Community and Justice, having served four years as chair. She is also a founding member of the Healing Racism Institute of the Pioneer Valley. Dr. Broman also served as board member and chair of the Willie Ross School for the Deaf, and a variety of other local, regional, and national boards.
As vice president for Institutional Advancement, Dr. Broman will oversee all areas of Advancement, Alumni, and University Relations and will serve as the executive director of the Westfield State University Foundation Inc. She will also be responsible for building internal and external relationships that will support the university’s outreach efforts and for representing the university compellingly to alumni, friends, civic, business, and philanthropic leaders.
“I am thrilled to be joining the advancement team at Westfield State University,” said Dr. Broman. “I have admired the visionary leadership President Torrecilha has brought to the institution and look forward to working with the many talented individuals at the university to advance the great work being done on campus.”
Dr. Broman will take over for Michael Knapik, executive director of Advancement, Alumni, and University Relations, who has been serving as interim vice president since October 2015.
“I am thankful for Michael’s leadership and professionalism during this time of transition,” said Dr. Torrecilha. “I am pleased that he will continue to serve the department as a senior director.”
Dr. Broman’s official start date is June 30.
