Brod leaving Harper College Educational Foundation for COD

It’s fair to say that Catherine Brod has helped enrich the educational experience for hundreds of students who traverse the paths of Harper College’s campus each day.

Under her leadership, the Harper College Educational Foundation’s assets have more than tripled to $7 million since she arrived at the Palatine community college 15 years ago. That’s allowed for an additional $12 million investment in scholarships, programs and capital equipment as the college saw state support decline by about two-thirds.

“I don’t think there’s any question that foundations are more important than ever before, helping make the difference between Harper being an ordinary institution and an extraordinary one,” Harper President Ken Ender said Wednesday. “That’s in part due to Cathy’s work.”

Brod’s work at Harper is nearly done as she prepares to leave the campus for a new venture at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. There, she’ll be vice president for development and foundation executive director, coordinating fundraising activity, special projects and board development.

She said COD boasts somewhat of a larger footprint, serving 51 communities and about 67,000 students to Harper’s 23 communities and roughly 37,000 students. Its endowment is around $10 million.

She said she is confident she’s leaving Harper’s foundation in capable hands.

“When I walked in the door, we were raising $250,000 a year and in our best year we raised $3.2 million,” Brod said. “I think truly we’re looked upon as having best practices, and I look forward to bringing that professional effort to COD.”

The Elk Grove Village resident, who’s also Harper’s chief advancement officer, led the foundation’s launch of its 100 Influential Women campaign, which raised $750,000 to support the college’s Women’s Program.

The foundation began an internal grant program that gives faculty the ability to create new and innovative programs for students. She also led efforts to form business partnerships with local corporations such as Northrop Grumman and Schneider Electric.

Brod made time to represent Harper in the community, as well.

She’s served on various community organization boards including the Kenneth Young Center, the Giving Trust, the Hospice Foundation and the Palatine Opportunity Center. She’s also a trustee on the CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) governing board.

Lisa Dietlin of Lisa M. Dietlin and Associates, who assisted in the Harper foundation’s Project Tomorrow campaign, will serve as interim executive director and organize the search for Brod’s replacement.

Before her last day on March 2, Harper will recognize Brod with a farewell reception followed by a dinner with her foundation board.

“They’re certainly sending me off in style,” Brod said. “It’s been a privilege.”