OCC Foundation Appoints New Executive Director

Oakland Community College has appointed Kathryn Rusak as Executive Director of the Oakland Community College Foundation.

Rusak joins OCC from Wayne State University where she served as Director of Development for the College of Education and the Irvin D. Reid Honors College. During her 10-year career as a senior major gift officer at Wayne State University, she managed philanthropic activities including the Honors College capital campaign, major and planned gifts, annual giving, grant development, donor communications, volunteer management and strategic planning. Rusak also provided major gift support to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Athletics, College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts as well as the Alumni Association.

“Kathryn’s appointment signals a game changing emphasis on building the Foundation to a stature comparable to Michigan’s other major institutions of higher learning,” said OCC Foundation Board Chairman David Ong.

As Executive Director of the OCC Foundation, Rusak will lead the college’s anticipated fundraising, work to build a community of supporters and friends, cultivate relationships with college alumni and play a crucial role in the college’s upcoming 50th anniversary celebration.

“One of Kathryn’s strengths is her experience in a variety of different areas, including athletics, alumni relations, and leading major gift efforts at Wayne State University,” Chancellor Timothy R. Meyer said. “She also has capital campaign experience, which is a real asset to us. She embodies skills that will serve both the college and the OCC Foundation well.”

Rusak is looking forward to sharing the good news about OCC’s value and educating the community about the need for fundraising, she said.

“I’m looking forward to working with the Foundation Board,” Rusak added. “It’s a strong group of committed volunteers that provide a real value to the college and will play a key role in building a successful culture of philanthropy at OCC.”

Rusak earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in non-profit management at Wayne State University. She is an alumna of the Detroit Regional Chamber's Leadership Detroit Class XXXIII and has been active in fundraising for the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk and March of Dimes March for Babies. Rusak lives in Farmington Hills with her husband Frank and three children.

The Oakland Community College Foundation was established in 1979 to raise private donations, increase opportunities for students and enhance the quality of education at the College. Gifts support students through scholarships, equipment purchases and program development. The OCC Foundation is governed by a board of directors made up of volunteer community leaders, representatives of the OCC Board of Trustees, administration and faculty.

Oakland Community College is the largest community college in Michigan and ranks 23rd among the nation’s 1,200 associate degree-granting schools.  With five campuses throughout Oakland County, it offers degrees and certificates in more than 160 fields, including university transfer degrees in business, science and the liberal arts, as well as workforce training and certificate programs.  Three quarters of a million students have enrolled at the college since it opened in 1965.  Visit OCC online at http://www.oaklandcc.edu.