Susan C. Schwab Appointed
President and CEO of The University of Maryland Foundation, Inc.
Adelphi, MD - Susan Carroll Schwab has been appointed president and CEO of The University of Maryland Foundation, Inc. (UMF), effective June 1, 2004. Schwab's professional career of more than 25 years has included corporate, government, and academic positions. Most recently, she served as dean of the School of Public Affairs at the University of Maryland, College Park, from 1995 to 2003 and currently serves on the school's faculty.
"Susan Schwab's background and exceptional mix of successful experience uniquely qualify her to lead the University of Maryland Foundation," said UMF Board Chair Raymond LaPlaca in announcing the appointment. "Her private sector experience will help the foundation open the doors for advocacy in the corporate community. Her public sector experience will open more doors for us in government. And her academic background gives her in-depth familiarity with higher education and will be of tremendous value to us."
The UMF is a not-for-profit corporation separate from the University System of Maryland (USM). It receives, manages, and administers donations given to support one or more of the university system's 13 institutions. Currently, the foundation has net assets totaling $250 million. However, it oversees the investments of some $400 million, which includes its own assets and those of other affiliated foundations within the USM.
As president and CEO, Schwab will manage all foundation assets and supervise its programs and activities. Fully supported by non-state UMF funding, Schwab also will serve as the system's vice chancellor for advancement, providing leadership in building greater philanthropic support for Maryland's public university system.
"I have known Susan for many years," said William E. Kirwan, chancellor of the University System of Maryland. "When I was president of the University of Maryland, College Park, I appointed her dean of the School of Public Affairs. I have the highest regard for her abilities and very much look forward to working with Susan in her new role."
As dean of the School of Public Affairs, Schwab led and managed a nationally recognized graduate school of public policy, management, and international affairs. Her expert leadership skills helped the school raise its national visibility and ranking, improve the quality and number of entering students, and enhance outreach to professional associations and the regional business and policy communities.
In addition, she raised funds to support many of the school's initiatives, including professorship and faculty chair endowments, student fellowships and internships, and a distinguished speaker series.
Before joining the school, Schwab served as director, corporate business development, for Motorola, Inc., where she developed and negotiated strategic alliances on behalf of the company.
Her public-sector career has included serving as:
- Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1989-1993;
- Legislative Director, 1986-89; and Chief Economic and Legislative Assistant for Trade, 1981-86; Office of Sen. John C. Danforth (R-Mo);
- Trade Policy Officer, U.S. Foreign Service, American Embassy, Tokyo, 1979-81;
- U.S. Trade Negotiator, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, 1977-79.
Schwab has held numerous professional, corporate, and association memberships and positions. Currently, she is a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, Board of Trustees of the Council for Excellence in Government, and Council on Foreign Relations. She also is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and a member of the Adams Express Company and Petroleum & Resources Corporation Board of Directors. Adams Express is a company in Baltimore.
Schwab holds a Ph.D. in public administration and international business from George Washington University, a master's from Stanford University, and a bachelor's from Williams College.
"I am very excited about leading the University of Maryland Foundation and helping to take it to even higher levels of effectiveness and success," said Schwab.
Contact: Anne Moultrie
Phone: 301/445-2722
E-mail: amoultrie@usmd.edu