UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has named Reynaldo “Reggie” Bustinza as associate vice president for alumni relations and chief executive officer of the Penn State Alumni Association, effective July 6.
Bustinza will lead one of the world’s largest alumni networks, with more than 800,000 Penn Staters worldwide, and guide the strategic direction and operations of the Alumni Association. The CEO reports to the University’s vice president for development and alumni relations and partners closely with the Alumni Association’s volunteer president and executive board.
Bustinza was selected after a nationwide search to succeed Paul Clifford, who departed Penn State in January 2025. Ryan Jones, who served as interim leader of the Alumni Association during the search, will return to his role as editor of the Penn Stater magazine.
As associate vice president and CEO, Bustinza will serve as a prominent ambassador for Penn State, guiding alumni strategy, strengthening volunteer partnerships, and aligning the work of the Alumni Association with the University’s broader goals.
“Reggie brings a deep understanding of higher education advancement, alumni programming, and has a proven commitment to building meaningful relationships,” said Jay E. Davenport, vice president for development and alumni relations. “He is the right leader to build on the Penn State Alumni Association’s success and shape an ambitious, inclusive future for our 800,000+ alumni.”
“The opportunity to join the Penn State team is a dream come true,” Bustinza said. “From the University’s worldwide reach to the incredible achievements of the alumni, there are so many opportunities to help Penn Staters build meaningful connections to each other, to the institution, and to the mission of the University.”
The Alumni Association plays a critical role in advancing the University’s mission through programs, events, communications and engagement efforts — including a network of 275 affiliate groups and more than 3,000 volunteer leaders — that deepen alumni affinity and support philanthropic success. With more than 172,000 members, Penn State has the largest dues-paying alumni association in the world.
“Penn State’s alumni community is unmatched in its loyalty, passion and global reach, and the Alumni Association plays a vital role in strengthening lifelong connections to the University,” said Susan Robinson, president of the Penn State Alumni Association. “We are eager to partner with Reggie to expand opportunities for alumni to engage, give back and celebrate what it means to be a Penn Stater.”
Bustinza brings nearly 20 years of alumni relations experience to his new role, with a portfolio that includes leadership across public and private institutions, and management of alumni engagement, volunteer board and donor relations, data services and systems, prospect research, IT, and communications. Currently, Bustinza serves as executive director of annual giving and alumni relations with the Northern Illinois University Foundation, where he oversees alumni engagement, travel and events, political advocacy, and annual giving.
Bustinza began his alumni relations career at his alma mater — Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois — working with affinity groups and chapters before developing expertise in data management and engagement metrics. He later served as director of alumni relations at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois.
Bustinza has been recognized for advancing data-driven decision-making in alumni programs, and he received The Pride of CASE Platinum Award - Silver for Alumni Relations Best Practices from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education for the development and utilization of alumni engagement metrics. He has been active with CASE as a conference contributor and presenter and currently serves as a board member of the Council of Alumni Association Executives (CAAE). Bustinza holds both a bachelor’s degree in communication and an MBA from Bradley University.
About the Penn State Alumni Association
For more than 150 years, the Penn State Alumni Association has provided alumni with a strong and welcoming community representative of the Penn Staters it proudly serves. The association keeps alumni connected to the University and to each other, while upholding Penn State traditions and supporting the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. The association also produces the award-winning Penn Stater magazine and other publications, and offers alumni and friends volunteer opportunities, educational programming and many other services. For more information about the Alumni Association, visit alumni.psu.edu.