A Lifelong Spartan: Beth Colbert Retires After More Than 20 Years in University Advancement

After 20 and a half years of working in University Advancement, Beth Colbert, '86 Radio, Television and Broadcasting, '89 MS Mass Communications, is retiring.

Four decades ago, while she was a student at San José State, she never imagined she'd return to campus to continue her career, let alone become associate vice president of advancement operations.

But in 2005, she got hired as a director of research; and for the past decade, she has served in the associate vice president position, working on campaign and strategic planning in an effort to support fundraising, alumni engagement and special event initiatives.

"This has been such an extraordinary place to work," she says.

Colbert's connection to SJSU started even before her time as a student. Both her mom and brother are graduates of San José State. From an early age, Colbert recalls witnessing the persistence and dedication her mom demonstrated while pursuing her college degree.

"When I was born, my mom dropped out of the University of Wisconsin. My dad was in the Army and we moved around the country a lot," says Colbert. "So in every city we landed in, my mom enrolled in college. She just kept chipping away at it."

When Colbert's dad ended his service, the family moved to Gilroy. There, her mother attended Gavilan College and then transferred to San José State, where she graduated with a degree in behavioral sciences in 1980.

"She was so determined to complete that degree," says Colbert. "And she was a very proud SJSU alum."

After Colbert's mom graduated, she opened a bookstore in Gilroy with a friend. The spot, known as the Book Arbour, became a beloved shop in the community for 10 years. And it was there that a young Colbert learned work ethic and customer service skills, while picking up regular shifts to help out.

"I worked there through college and graduate school," says Colbert. "Several of my dearest friends from high school worked there too."

When Colbert finished up grad school at SJSU, she wasn't exactly sure what she wanted to do. She went to work as a development researcher at Santa Clara University and even worked for several years to secure foundation grants for a public television station in the San Mateo County Community College District.

And through it all, there was always something pulling her toward higher education.

Working at SJSU

In 2005, she discovered that there was an opening in University Advancement at SJSU, and she applied. Soon after, she started working as director of research; and during that time, she also became manager of the campaign, taking on project management and ensuring benchmarks were hit. Due to changes in leadership, there were more responsibilities added to her plate along the way. The vice president needed a chief of staff, which Colbert agreed to also fill the role of, while balancing her other duties.

In 2014, the associate vice president of development left the university, and Colbert transitioned into interim associate vice president of development. She soon became permanent and spent a couple of years in the position.

In 2016, the division went through a reorganization.

At the time, Colbert's portfolio as associate vice president of development included all frontline fundraising staff as well as operations.

"It was really way too much," says Colbert. "So the next vice president that was hired came in with the idea of dividing up the work."

Colbert's role was divided into two separate positions - an associate vice president for development and an associate vice president for advancement campaign operations.

"I knew I was way stronger on the operations side than the development side," says Colbert. "And that's been the position I've had for the last 10 years."

When asked what she is most proud of having achieved during her time at SJSU, Colbert spoke of the people she feels so fortunate to have worked with on her team.

"I'm proud of the fact that I've had one of the most stable teams in the division," says Colbert. "Hardly anyone has left. There's a lot of institutional knowledge here, which enables us to answer questions about what happened in prior administrations. It's a stable and competent team, and I'm very proud of it."

When Colbert first started working for University Advancement, there wasn't a way of tracking fundraiser metrics; so Colbert built the first mechanism to do that. She also participated in two database conversions, one of which she served as project lead.

Sabra Diridon, executive director for development, feels fortunate to have been working alongside Colbert over the years.

"Beth is the real deal - smart, dedicated, generous and deeply committed to the Spartan community. I have been honored to know her for 14 years. Over that time, she has been not only a trusted colleague but also a dear friend," says Diridon. "We have navigated a great deal of change together, and through it all, she has been a steady and grounding presence. One of the things I will miss most is her quick, understated wit - it always landed as a delightful surprise."

Robin Reynolds is chief operating officer of SJSU's Tower Foundation, which is a part of the University Advancement division that is dedicated to philanthropy. She has also had the opportunity to witness Colbert in action.

"For over 20 years, Beth has been a steady hand in the behind-the-scenes operation of SJSU fundraising. While much of University Advancement's work is front-facing, Beth and her team have worked hard internally to make it possible," says Reynolds. "In doing so, Beth has shared a sense of humor, a love of puzzles, sneakers and cats all while maintaining focus on supporting SJSU students, faculty and programs."

Colbert's last day at SJSU is March 30. During her retirement, she plans to get into volunteer work; and she's looking forward to enjoying simple pleasures, like going to visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art on a Tuesday, when it's not so crowded.

"University Advancement is such a fun department to work in. We work very hard, but it's been terrific," says Colbert. "It's been really easy to stay here, because the people are so great. They're the reason why, for all these years, there's never been a day I've dreaded coming into work."

Vice President for University Advancement Judy Nagai feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Colbert to further the division's mission of securing SJSU's future through fundraising, partnerships and alumni engagement.

"Beth's years at San José State University reflect a remarkable commitment to service, community, and the mission of the university. In every role she held within University Advancement, she brought people together, built lasting relationships across campus and with donors, and strengthened the partnerships that support SJSU's future," says Nagai. "Her professionalism, institutional knowledge and generosity toward colleagues have made a lasting difference. We are profoundly grateful for her contributions and wish her every happiness in a well-earned retirement."