Mathilda Hatfield took her first steps as a baby in the backyard of a family friend's house on Mount Nord in Fayetteville. Now, Hatfield is stepping back onto campus for another new beginning as the new associate director of development for the Graduate School and International Education, effective Oct. 17.

Hatfield, an experienced professional in higher education with experience spanning the scope of the advancement enterprise, will collaborate with University Development and other academic units to lead the fundraising efforts of GSIE, in addition to strengthening relations with alumni and other key constituencies. She reports to Curt Rom, interim dean of the Graduate School and International Education.

"I am honored and eager to get to work with Dean Rom and the GSIE team to advance the university and GSIE mission and goals, to contribute to strengthening the diverse culture, and to provide transformative experiences for our students," she said. "My family has a deep-rooted commitment to the University of Arkansas — I literally would not be here if it wasn't for its international education programs, and the Fulbright program in particular."

"My mother traveled from northern France to study at the U of A as a Fulbright Scholar for the 1953-54 academic year," she continued. "Three years later, she met my dad on campus when she returned to visit friends in Fayetteville. Later, my mother earned her master's in English. She and several other family members have their names engraved in Senior Walk. Those bonds enhance my enthusiasm to contribute to the university's efforts, and to promote its strategic priorities."

Hatfield comes to the U of A after 15 years at the University of Central Arkansas, where she served in numerous roles including director of alumni engagement, director of development for the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics and director of annual giving.

While at UCA, she designed and implemented major gift fundraising strategies in support of the UCA Now $100 million comprehensive capital campaign, directed the university's annual giving program and identified, cultivated and solicited donors with a focus on gifts of $25,000 and above.

"Mathilda's extensive knowledge and experience of fundraising and alumni engagement, coupled with her passion for graduate and international education, make her a perfect fit to lead our development efforts in the Graduate School and International Education," Rom said. "I am excited to see her hit the ground running in this role and help us continue to serve our students in the best way possible."

Hatfield has served in numerous leadership positions in her career, including as president of the Conway Regional Health System Women's Council, president of the Arkansas State Executive Board, P.E.O. International Sisterhood and chairman of the Cottey College Board of Trustees. She is a member of the central Arkansas chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

She holds a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Central Arkansas and a master's degree in educational counseling and psychology from the University of Louisville.