Penn State has selected the next chief executive officer for its Alumni Association and associate vice president for alumni relations.
Reynaldo “Reggie” Bustinza will take on the role of leading one of the world’s largest alumni networks, encompassing more than 800,000 Penn Staters, beginning July 6, the university announced on Monday.
Bustinza is currently executive director of annual giving and alumni relations for the Northern Illinois University Foundation and has nearly 20 years of alumni relations experience, according to a Penn State news release
He succeeds former Penn State Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford, who left the university in January 2025. Ryan Jones, who led the organization on an interim basis, will return to his position as editor of The Penn Stater magazine.
“Reggie brings a deep understanding of higher education advancement, alumni programming, and has a proven commitment to building meaningful relationships,” Jay E. Davenport, Penn State vice president for development and alumni relations, said in a statement. “He is the right leader to build on the Penn State Alumni Association’s success and shape an ambitious, inclusive future for our 800,000+ alumni.”
In his new role, Bustinza will report to Davenport and partner with the Alumni Association’s volunteer president and executive board. He will be tasked with “guiding alumni strategy, strengthening volunteer partnerships, and aligning the work of the Alumni Association with the University’s broader goals,” according to the release.
With 172,000 dues-paying members, the Penn State Alumni Association is the largest organization of its kind in the world. It provides programs, events, communications and engagement efforts, and includes a network of 275 affiliate groups and more than 3,000 volunteer leaders.
“The opportunity to join the Penn State team is a dream come true,” Bustinza said in a statement. “From the University’s worldwide reach to the incredible achievements of the alumni, there are so many opportunities to help Penn Staters build meaningful connections to each other, to the institution, and to the mission of the University.”
In his position at Northern Illinois, Bustinza oversees alumni engagement, travel and events, political advocacy and annual giving.
His résumé includes leadership roles at public and private institutions. He began his alumni relations career at his alma mater, Bradley University in Illinois, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and an MBA, and later served as director of alumni relations at Lewis University, also in Illinois.
Bustinza has been recognized for advancing data-driven decision-making in alumni programs, according to Penn State, and received The Pride of CASE Platinum Award – Silver for Alumni Relations Best Practices from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education for his development of alumni engagement metrics.
“Penn State’s alumni community is unmatched in its loyalty, passion and global reach, and the Alumni Association plays a vital role in strengthening lifelong connections to the University,” Susan Robinson, president of the Penn State Alumni Association, said in a statement. “We are eager to partner with Reggie to expand opportunities for alumni to engage, give back and celebrate what it means to be a Penn Stater.”
