Changing Students’ Lives Starts with Us: Kara Griffin

Kara Griffin, executive assistant to the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement, cares deeply about the PNW students we serve every day.

Griffin feels excitement in making a gift to support PNW students’ academics, extracurriculars and on-campus resources because she understands PNW students’ drive to Power Onward and how faculty and staff members’ gifts spur students to keep working toward their lifelong goals.

What do you love the most about how you support PNW students in your role?

“What I love most is being able to hear from PNW students and the reasons why they are here. When they tell us they are here because of the financial support they receive and how it assists them in pursuing their dreams, that is like a reality check. Knowing that you are a part of making that difference is exciting and lets us know how we are helping our students Power Onward.”

Are there any specific organizations, scholarships or funds you prefer to give to at PNW?

“I like to choose every year based on where I feel like it is going to make a difference. So, I donate to our scholarship fund and food pantry because many of our students benefit from those, especially our students who are in need. As the year goes on, I tend to support the different areas where our Institutional Advancement student workers are involved. For example, sometimes we have a student-athlete, or someone who is involved with Women in Business or Honors College. Their excitement for participating in those extracurriculars makes me excited to support their organizations.”

Have PNW students shared their gratitude to you after they have received your gifts? How have they described what your gift means to them?

“During PNW Day of Giving, our staff and student workers will help make ‘thank you’ calls to our donors from that day. Being a donor, I receive one of those calls too. One of those calls I received last year was from one of our student workers who is a golf student-athlete. She said ‘Oh, Ms. Griffin, I am so excited to see your support for women’s golf and want to say thank you for your gift.’ Hearing that makes you feel great.”

How do you encourage your colleagues to support PNW students through their philanthropy?

“I feel if you believe in where you work, why not support where you work? I want to ask them, do you believe in higher education? Do you believe in the mission and value that higher education provides for our students and their future? I give because I know the benefits it provides for our students, what it does to enhance their education and how it assists them in participating in activities.”

Learn more about how you can make a difference in PNW students’ lives by visiting pnw.edu/changing-lives.

Also, mark your calendars for April 30, 2025 to help support PNW students on PNW Day of Giving!