Kate Szumanski

With nearly 20 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of higher education and strategic communications, Kate Szumanski is an experienced and highly motivated professional who cares deeply about the students and families she serves.  

Currently, Kate serves as Director of Professional Development and Internships at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in the Office for Undergraduate Students at Villanova University. In this role, she: 

• Teaches leadership and professional development courses on a variety of topics, from Professional Communication and Creativity & Innovation to Effective Leadership and Professional Networking. 
• Directs internship experiences for students, supporting them as they identify opportunities, apply for them, interview, and accept an offer. 
• Collaborates with student leaders and on-campus organizations to create and execute quality career and professional development programming. 

• Designs and hosts career and professional development workshops on a variety of topics, from leveraging social media for career success to writing in the workplace. 
• Positions the Office for Undergraduate Students through effective strategic communications and social media campaigns.  

Prior to returning to Villanova University, Kate served as Communications Director at City Year Philadelphia, where she developed and executed comprehensive and integrated social media, Web, public relations, and media strategies to engage and influence a vast audience. Kate also provided critical expertise and service to City Year’s departments to ensure consistent communications, messaging, visual brand management and strategy, and media planning. 

Before her role at City Year, Kate served as the Executive Communications Specialist in the Office of Business and Finance at The Ohio State University, where she communicated clear, concise, and relevant information related to business and finance initiatives to achieve short- and long-term strategic goals for the University. 

Kate served as Director of Communications in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University for eight years before relocating to Ohio. She earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Villanova, a master’s degree in History from Villanova, and a master’s degree in journalism form the Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism in New York City.   

Kate lives in Merion Station, Pa., with her husband, Andrew, and three children, Peter (17), Tess (11), and Luke (8).