UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jason Godinez has been named director of development in the Penn State Schreyer Honors College and will begin his new role on June 17. Godinez succeeds Sean Miller, who led Schreyer’s development efforts for 12 years before he recently accepted the role of senior director of development and alumni relations with Penn State’s Smeal College of Business.
In his new role, Godinez returns to Schreyer where he worked for two years as the college’s assistant director of development from 2019 to 2021. He was responsible for helping the Honors College raise nearly $1 million before taking on the role of director of major gifts with Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS).
Godinez’s efforts in EMS led to more than $3 million in contributions over the last fiscal year. The experience he gained and skills he developed over three years with Earth and Mineral Sciences left Godinez eager to take on his next challenge.
While reporting to Mark Theiss, assistant vice president for development, Godinez will be at the front of the line in engaging alumni and friends as supporters of the Honors College. He will oversee all aspects of his team’s development and alumni relations activities.
“During my tenure at Penn State, my collaborations with academic and development leadership have helped me see firsthand the transformative power of philanthropy on student success, research endeavors and academic excellence,” Godinez said. “My previous tenure at Schreyer left an indelible mark on me and the opportunity to work alongside the team there fills me with excitement.”
A 2004 Penn State graduate with a bachelor of science degree in management from Smeal, Godinez is nearing his 20-year anniversary as a Penn State staff member. He has been with the University since 2006 with stints at the Office of the Bursar and Office of Student Aid alongside his time at Schreyer and Earth and Mineral Sciences.
Patrick Mather, dean of the Schreyer Honors College, said he is excited to welcome Godinez back to the college.
“Jason’s development expertise, leadership skills and reputation as a valuable member of cohesive and successful teams make him an ideal fit for this role,” said Mather. “He will be an important part of helping Schreyer continue to deliver a world-class honors experience for our Schreyer Scholars.”