Bay Path University Appoints David Bartell as Vice President for Institutional Advancement
LONGMEADOW, MA — Bay Path University has appointed accomplished advancement executive David Bartell as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Bartell joins the University on August 3, bringing more than 15 years of leadership experience in higher education advancement, major gift fundraising, alumni engagement, and strategic philanthropy.
Reporting directly to President Sandra J. Doran, J.D., Bartell will serve on the University's Executive Leadership Team and lead the institution's advancement division, overseeing fundraising, alumni and constituent engagement, stewardship, advancement services, and corporate and foundation relations. Working closely with University leadership, he will strengthen philanthropic partnerships that advance Bay Path's strategic priorities and expand opportunities for current and future students.
"Bay Path has always been a university that looks ahead by identifying where the world is going and preparing students to lead it," said President Sandra J. Doran. "As we continue to grow and expand our impact, philanthropy will play an increasingly important role in what we are able to accomplish. David understands that successful advancement is about more than raising funds; it's about building lasting relationships, aligning people around a shared vision, and creating opportunities that have a measurable impact on students and the communities we serve. His experience and leadership will help us build on our momentum and position Bay Path for its next chapter."
Bartell most recently served as Assistant Vice President for Development at the Upstate Foundation, where he led fundraising efforts for Golisano Children's Hospital. There, he directed a comprehensive development program, exceeded annual fundraising goals, and provided strategic leadership for major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, volunteer engagement, and donor strategy while leading a high-performing development team.
Previously, Bartell spent more than a decade at Syracuse University, where he held a series of advancement leadership positions and contributed to two comprehensive fundraising campaigns totaling more than $2.5 billion. As Executive Director of Outreach Programs, he built and led a team responsible for regional and international alumni engagement, volunteer leadership, career initiatives, and student philanthropy, serving a global alumni community of more than 250,000 graduates. Earlier roles in regional advancement and major gift fundraising established a record of cultivating transformational donor relationships and securing significant philanthropic investments.
At Bay Path, Bartell will lead the University's efforts to strengthen a culture of philanthropy, expand engagement with alumni and friends, grow corporate and foundation partnerships, and build the resources that support innovation, student success, and long-term institutional priorities. He will also play a key role in positioning the University for future comprehensive fundraising initiatives.
"Bay Path has demonstrated that when an institution is willing to innovate, remain responsive to the needs of learners, and stay true to its mission, it can create extraordinary opportunity," said Bartell. "My goal is to build the relationships and philanthropic partnerships that allow the University to accelerate that work. I look forward to working alongside President Doran, our Board of Trustees, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and community partners to help advance Bay Path's ambitious vision for the future."
Bartell earned a Master of Science in Education from the State University of New York at Oswego and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Le Moyne College. Throughout his career, he has remained active in professional and community leadership, serving on numerous nonprofit and higher education boards while mentoring future advancement professionals.
About Bay Path University
Founded in 1897, Bay Path University serves over 4,500 students through its traditional undergraduate program for women, Bay Path Online offering bachelor’s degrees for women and men, and a range of master’s and doctoral programs. On July 1, 2024, Bay Path acquired Cambridge College, uniting two institutions with a shared mission to provide innovative, career-focused education to students of all backgrounds, including working adults and first-generation learners.