With nearly three decades at Johns Hopkins, Susan deMuth's institutional knowledge runs deep and wide. Her tenure began in 1997 as assistant director of the School of Medicine Annual Fund, and she most recently served as associate vice president for alumni engagement and annual giving, connecting with alumni and donors from across the university and around the world.
Starting Jan. 1, deMuth remained AVP but shifted her focus to leading Development and Alumni Relations' contributions to the upcoming sesquicentennial celebration for the university, tentatively scheduled for July 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026. A self-proclaimed "history geek," she aims to draw inspiration from every corner of the university and from as many members of the university community as possible while working in close partnership with the Offices of the President, Provost, and Board of Trustees.
"Johns Hopkins' 150th anniversary is an important milestone for our institution, offering us an opportunity to celebrate our rich history, promote the current Ten for One strategic framework, and envision the future of Johns Hopkins University and Medicine," deMuth says. "We want to provide everyone in every corner of the institution—faculty, staff, students, alumni, grateful patients, volunteers, community members, and friends— with opportunities to participate in and celebrate the sesquicentennial."
Jason Heiserman, executive director of Alumni Relations who joined the office in 2011, has stepped in as interim assistant vice president for alumni engagement and executive director of the Alumni Association. He says his overarching goal is to meet alumni where they are. Heiserman also wants suggestions from current students, peer institutions, and industries outside of higher education on how to remain most relevant to the alumni community.
Heiserman also stresses the importance of alumni in the Ten for One strategic framework of 10 goals for the university. "We need alumni to be there for recent graduates and current students, to provide mentoring, immersive experiences, and acts of philanthropy," he says. "We rely heavily on our alumni to be our champions and our storytellers."
Likewise, deMuth says, "we will look to alumni to help us celebrate the sesquicentennial locally, nationally, and globally. This is, of course, their celebration!"
"Susan's long history at Hopkins and her deep love for the university make her an ideal person to lead our efforts to celebrate the university's sesquicentennial," says Fritz Schroeder, senior vice president for Development and Alumni Relations. "I am grateful to her and to our colleagues in University Communications for the work that is already underway, and I am excited to join with alumni and donors around the world as we mark this incredible milestone."
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