Montclair State University Names Colleen Coppla Vice President for Development

Colleen Coppla has been appointed Vice President for Development at Montclair State University, effective October 24, 2018.

Coppla will join Montclair State University in a newly created role after serving as Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Florida Atlantic University, where she directed all campaign planning and fundraising efforts for the institution’s Jupiter campus including corporate, foundation, principal and major gift fundraising.

In her new position, Coppla will oversee all aspects of Montclair State University’s development operation, which includes major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, alumni engagement, annual giving and donor relations, in addition to the Montclair State University Foundation.

“Colleen Coppla brings to the University exceptional experience in development, a comprehensive knowledge of the New Jersey environment, great energy, and a genuine commitment to the mission of the University,” says Montclair State University President Susan A. Cole. “I am delighted that she will be joining our team, and we aim to keep her busy.”

Coppla joins Montclair State University at a pivotal moment in the institution’s 110-year history. The University has formally announced the public phase of Soar, The Campaign for Montclair State University, the largest and most ambitious fundraising effort in its history with a historic $75 million goal. In her new role, she will oversee all aspects of the comprehensive campaign, which has raised more than $61 million to date since its inception in 2014.

“I am honored to join Montclair State University,” says Coppla. “The University has grown and prospered under President Cole and, with its new comprehensive campaign, is poised to reach new heights. I am eager to meet more alumni and community members, foster and strengthen relationships, and help the University transform more lives.”

Prior to her tenure at Florida Atlantic University, Coppla served as the Associate Vice President for University Advancement at Fairleigh Dickinson University after spending a decade as the institution’s executive campaign director. Additionally, she has held the role of vice president for development for The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.

Coppla earned a BA in English Literature from the University of Scranton and an MA in Teaching from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

For more information on Soar, The Campaign for Montclair State University, visit montclair.edu/soar.