Kristen McMullen joins Penn Vet team from Pinewood Prep in South Carolina

[July 23, 2012; Philadelphia, PA] – Kristen McMullen has joined the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) team as director of alumni relations.

Kristen brings more than 15 years of alumni relations, fundraising and career services experience and a passion for veterinary medicine to Penn Vet.

“I am thrilled to announce Kristen’s appointment to this vital role within the school,” said Melissa von Stade, assistant dean, advancement, alumni relations and communication. “Her experience, combined with her appreciation of veterinary medicine and affection for animals, will be a good fit for our faculty, staff, students and, of course, our alumni.”

Most recently, Kristen served as the director of alumni relations and communications for Pinewood Preparatory School in Summerville, SC, where she developed the school’s first alumni association and served on the school's senior leadership team.

In her previous role as assistant director of executive MBA and alumni career services for Duke University she created, marketed and delivered professional development services for a globally diverse student and alumni population.

Kristen started her alumni relations career at Penn State where for seven years she served as director of alumni relations for the College of Communications. In this role, Kristen increased alumni involvement by 300 percent and developed innovative career service programming for more than 12,000 alumni and 3,000 students.

She remains an active volunteer for Penn State and recently completed a six-year term on the Penn State Alumni Council where she chaired the Alumni Volunteer Support Committee with the goal to provide support to more than 280 alumni affiliate groups. She also served on the planning committee and as a presenter at the May 2012 Penn State Alumni Leadership Conference and is an active member of the Penn State Alumni Career Services Advisory Committee.

Kristen earned a bachelor of science in health policy and administration from Penn State. She has completed the Penn State Management Institute certificate program and The Penn State Leader: Excellence in Leadership and Management program. She also has her CareerLeader certification.

As director of alumni relations at Penn Vet, Kristen will be responsible for strategically enhancing current alumni programming, identifying opportunities to increase alumni and student engagement and managing the Dean's Alumni Council. Kristen will also oversee Darleen Coles, special events coordinator, and work to build upon Darleen’s success with Penn Annual Conference.

Kristen is excited to bring her love for veterinary medicine to Penn Vet, which began in middle school when she completed an externship in a veterinary office, and her extensive experience working with graduate alumni to this new role.