Shenango hires new development and alumni relations director

SHARON, Pa. — Allison M. Engstrom has been hired as Penn State Shenango’s new director of development and alumni relations, effective June 20.

Engstrom comes to the Shenango campus from Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, where she held the position of development coordinator for special events and annual fund. She first was hired by Akron’s Children Hospital in 2011 as a development services assistant.

“We are so pleased to welcome Allison to our campus community,” said Jo Anne Carrick, campus director. “She brings a great deal of experience and enthusiasm to this position, not to mention her Penn State background, and is ready to get out and meet and work with our alumni and advisory board to raise necessary funds in support of our students and programs.”

Engstrom received a bachelor of science in business administration from the Penn State Smeal College of Business, where she majored in marketing with a focus in management.  

"As a proud graduate of Penn State Behrend in Erie and Penn State University Park, I experienced the many benefits a smaller campus like Penn State Shenango can offer,” Engstrom said. “I am very pleased and honored to serve as director of development, and I'm so excited to combine two of my passions — Penn State and fundraising.”

Engstrom and her husband, Adam who is also a Penn State graduate, currently reside in Boardman, Ohio.

Engstrom replaces Steve Hessmann, who took a position as director of major fifts at his alma mater, St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. During his tenure, Hessmann visited and worked with many alumni and friends of the Shenango campus to raise more than $10 million, completing two very successful capital campaigns.