Rita M. Dibble, CFRE, has been named vice president of institutional advancement at Adler University. She will begin her role on Aug. 15, reporting directly to President Lisa Coleman, Ph.D.
In this strategic leadership position, Dibble will oversee and enhance the work of the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA), including Adler's global and regional philanthropy, alumni engagement, grants, and advancement initiatives.
"This is a pivotal time for Adler University a moment to grow with intention, expand how we support our students and alumni, and build the financial and relational strength that sustains our institution for generations to come," said President Coleman. "Fundraising and alumni engagement are critical to our future. They allow us to extend the reach of our programs, invest in our community, and deliver on the full promise of an Adler education. We're excited to welcome Rita and look forward to the leadership she will bring to strengthening our foundation and expanding our impact locally and globally."
Bringing more than 25 years of experience in higher education, philanthropy, and public service, Dibble has built advancement divisions from the ground up, led capital campaigns, expanded alumni networks, and established high-impact stewardship strategies at institutions across the country.
"I've spent my career building advancement strategies that not only grow institutions but connect people to purpose," said Dibble. "Adler has a unique opportunity to build long-term philanthropic partnerships, amplify alumni engagement, and invest in the infrastructure needed to deliver transformational outcomes for students, for communities, and for the broader systems they go on to shape. I'm excited to contribute to this next phase of growth and momentum, and I look forward to working with the president, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni to help shape Adler's future."
Most recently, Dibble served as assistant vice president for philanthropy at Hartwick College, where she exceeded annual fundraising goals within her first six months and helped secure the largest fundraising total in the College's history. Previous leadership roles include serving as vice president for institutional advancement at Peirce College, Metropolitan State University, and Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. At Metropolitan State, she led the institution's first comprehensive capital campaign and tripled the foundation's endowment.
A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Dibble holds a master's degree in mass communications from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, as well as master's and bachelor's degrees in English literature from Maharaja Sayajirao University in India.
She has served on more than a dozen boards in education, the arts and community development, and is a national presenter on topics including advancement practices and recruitment in higher education.
