After roughly forty years of pursuing a career in broadcast journal- ism, radio and television, Steve Highsmith, the new Vice President of Institutional Advancement, will continue his efforts at Cabrini with a strong focus to the college’s core mission.
“I love Cabrini and I think that the mission of Cabrini College is vitally important,” Highsmith said. “In my job as a broadcast journal- ist, I got to meet a lot of people in non-profits and I got to be on the frontlines of a lot of issues, which are part of Cabrini’s core mission.”
Highsmith’s work for the community did not cease after being an anchor, reporter or news director. He supports many efforts, includ- ing the Global Philadelphia Association, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance as well as countless other non- profit organizations. He hopes to continue to watch Cabrini grow as the community stays true to its social justice core.
As Highsmith works closely with President Donald Taylor, the president looks forward to his return. “I am pleased to announce that Steve Highsmith ’88—an alumnus and former trustee—was named Vice President of Institutional Advancement,” Dr. Taylor said via email to the college’s community. His new title will allow him to focus on Cabrini’s fundraising efforts and alumni relations.
“Cabrini has done a wonderful job [and] it’s a living, breathing or- ganism and as we continue to grow, we want to be mindful of what our mission is and we want to be able to reach even more people,” Highsmith said. “We want to be part of the next transformation of Cabrini College into what it is originally intended to be, which is fulfilled in the academic excellence, in the leadership, and in the social justice of social change.”
Throughout all of the many experiences Highsmith’s careers has given him, he ideally hopes to inspire the students to do more.
“What I would suggest to anyone who come [to Cabrini] is to have an open mind and to come here with the idea of even opening your mind wider and be receptive and tolerant of all ideas,” Highsmith said. “If you graduate from Cabrini you should be graduating with the idea that you have a responsibility to the world.”
