Dear colleagues,
I am excited to announce that Dr. Matthew Hodge will be joining the University of Maryland as our new Vice President for University Relations. He will begin his appointment on July 1, 2022. As VPUR, Matt will build upon our existing fundraising and alumni engagement programs to strengthen and transform our philanthropic enterprise through the implementation of creative strategies, clear goals, and data-informed decision making. He will forge strong partnerships across campus units, and work with industry, community leaders and donors to leverage philanthropic engagement opportunities. He will also serve as president of the University of Maryland College Park Foundation.
Matt joins Maryland from the University of Florida where he currently serves as associate vice president of development and chief development officer. In this role, he leads UF’s comprehensive development teams of more than 200 members, including 16 colleges, over 10 units, and the central fundraising programs, which include corporate and foundations, gift planning, principal gifts and university initiatives.
Matt has played a key leadership role in the development and execution of the $3B Go Greater Campaign, UF’s fourth comprehensive campaign and the largest for a university in the state of Florida. Under his leadership, the university raised $500M+ annually in consecutive years, surpassing the initial campaign goal. In addition, he worked closely with UF leadership, donors and the development teams to launch the $500M AI initiative, a transformational effort bringing together private and public partners to expand faculty, curriculum, and infrastructure focused on repositioning the university nationally in the AI space. He also drove strategic innovations, such as the establishment of Giving Day, senior class gift and license tag, to significantly increase alumni philanthropic participation.
Prior to his current role, Matt served in several leadership roles at UF since 2010. He has also held advancement roles at Seminole State College of Florida and the University of Central Florida. Matt holds a B.S. in advertising from the University of Florida, and a Master of Public Administration and Ph.D. in public affairs from the University of Central Florida.
With more than 25 years of experience in public higher education advancement, I am confident that Matt will lead us Fearlessly Forward at a time of rapid growth here at Maryland. Our commitment to excellence in all that we do is a match for the high bar that Matt has set for himself in impactful partnerships and philanthropic engagement. He has the grit and determination to be a Terp, and we cannot wait to welcome him.
I would also like to express my gratitude to Brodie Remington for his outstanding service as Vice President for University Relations during his phenomenally impressive two-year appointment. I am grateful for his leadership in making Fearless Ideas: The Campaign for Maryland a resounding success. I am also thankful to the search committee, led by Dean Lucy Dalglish and Trustee Craig Thompson, for putting forth an extraordinarily talented set of finalists for the role.
Please join me in welcoming Matt to the Terrapin family!
Sincerely,
