Fitchburg State University President, Dr. Donna Hodge, announced the appointment of Dr. David P. Weiss as the new Dean of Institutional Advancement. A highly respected educator, researcher, and administrative strategist, Weiss assumed his new role on July 1 with nearly two decades of dedicated service to the university community.
In his new executive capacity, Weiss joins the president’s cabinet and will oversee the university’s comprehensive efforts in philanthropy, alumni engagement, and advancement operations. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Fitchburg State, as the institution looks to strengthen its long-term financial sustainability, elevate excellent academics, expand external community partnerships, and deepen relationships with its regional donor network.
“David brings a combination of institutional knowledge, community credibility, and practical experience that would be difficult to replicate,” said Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge. “Over the past two years, I’ve watched him step beyond his faculty role to help lead major institutional priorities, strengthen relationships with alumni and community partners, and take on significant responsibility for the planning and fundraising behind our Presidential Galas. His earlier leadership of the Crocker Center for Civic Engagement also reflects a longstanding commitment to ensuring that Fitchburg State is not simply located in this region, but is an active and trusted partner within it.
“I trust David’s judgment, his business acumen, his understanding of this campus and North Central Massachusetts, and his ability to lead people through change,” said Hodge. “He is deeply invested in the university, and I believe he is the right person to strengthen the division, expand our philanthropic capacity, and build the relationships that will support Fitchburg State’s next chapter.”
Weiss said that he’s deeply honored to be entrusted by President Hodge with the leadership of the Office of Institutional Advancement.
“Having served Fitchburg State for the past 18 years as a professor of criminal justice, including nearly seven years as director of the Crocker Center for Civic Engagement, I know our students, our campus, and our broader community well,” said Weiss. “I am thrilled to leverage this experience to champion our university's mission. As I transition into the advancement space, I am actively collaborating with internal and external partners to hit the ground running. Our primary objective is to elevate Fitchburg State’s profile by sharing the incredible stories of student transformation, made possible by the dedicated work of our faculty, librarians, and staff. The regional and national impact of Fitchburg State is profound, and it is a story we must share widely for the good work of Fitchburg State to continue.”
Weiss brings a combination of institutional knowledge, strategic vision, and commitment to the mission of Fitchburg State University. Through his recent administrative and faculty contributions, Hodge said he has demonstrated a strong understanding of institutional culture alongside a genuine ability to connect the university's mission and momentum with alumni, donors, and community partners.
Prior to this appointment, Weiss served as a tenured professor within the Behavioral Sciences Department, where he spent nearly 20 years teaching both undergraduate and graduate criminal justice students. Most recently, he served as the Interim Department Chair for Behavioral Sciences and, since 2025, held the vital role of Special Assistant to the President. As Special Assistant, he functioned as a key thought partner on core institutional priorities, notably leading the Presidential Fellows program and directing major planning, outreach, and fundraising efforts for both the 2025 and 2026 Presidential Gala celebrations.
Weiss also served as the director of the Douglas and Isabelle Crocker Center for Civic Engagement. Established in 2008, the Center works to strengthen local organizations, empower community members, and expand collaboration between Fitchburg State and the community.
Weiss’ immediate mandate as dean includes leading a substantial structural reorganization of the advancement division. He will also guide the continued evolution of the Fitchburg State University Foundation Board, focusing on boosting philanthropic capacity and aligning the board’s efforts with broader institutional goals.
Weiss’ background combines academic scholarship with direct public service. He earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from Claremont Graduate University in 2006, specializing in Criminal Justice and Crime Policy, following an M.A.P. in Politics from Claremont in 2001 and an M.A. in Political Science from San Diego State University in 1994. His early career began in social work and community corrections, holding a B.S.W. from the University of Illinois, Urbana, in 1986.
Before arriving at Fitchburg State in 2008, Weiss served in various prominent public safety and civil roles nationwide. He was a Visiting Fellow for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime in Washington, D.C., where he managed federal grants and authored operational procedures for international victim assistance programs. He also spent years with the San Diego County Probation Department as a Supervising Probation Officer, specializing in juvenile field services and family violence units.
Locally, Weiss has remained deeply embedded in the civic fabric of Massachusetts. He currently serves as a Bail Commissioner for the Massachusetts Trial Courts within the Orange and Gardner District Courts. His collaborative research has resulted in numerous published training manuals, risk assessment briefs, and community safety studies funded by the state's competitive Shannon Community Safety Initiative grants.