Kaitlin Cicchetti

Director of Advancement for University Life

Internationalization of higher education; International branch campuses; Student transitions to college; Student Affairs fundraising

Dr. Kaitlin Cicchetti (she/her/hers) is the Director of Advancement for University Life at George Mason University, a role she has held since 2017. She has been a member of the George Mason Community since 2011, contributing to her 18 years of experience in student affairs. Prior to her current position, Dr. Cicchetti served as the Associate Director of Orientation and Family Programs and Services at George Mason University where she worked to engage parents and families to support student success. Her professional background spans parent and family programs, student transition and first-year experience initiatives, and student affairs fundraising.

Dr. Cicchetti is actively involved in the broader student affairs and higher education community. Since 2023, she has served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Campus Activities Research and Practice. Dr. Cicchetti is a member of NASPA and CASE, and previously served ACPA on the directorate for the Commission for Admissions, Orientation, and the First-Year Experience.

Dr. Cicchetti's research interests include student affairs fundraising, internationalization of higher education, international branch campuses, and student transitions to college.

Selected Publications

Cicchetti, K.O. (2018). Home away from home? A case study of student transitions to an international branch campus. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice.

Cicchetti, K.O., & Park, M. (2018). Student affairs and offshore branch campuses: A case study of practitioner experiences. Journal of College Student Development, 59, 238-242.

Alcock, C. Cooper, J., Kirk, J. & Oyler, K. (2009). The tertiary student experience: Review of approaches based on the first cycle of AUQA audits 2002-2007 (Report No. 20). Melbourne, Australia: Australian Universities Quality Agency.

Oyler, K.L. (2008, January 9). Utilizing parents as a resource: The use of appreciative inquiry in academic advising. The Mentor: An Academic Advising Journal.

Courses Taught

HE 685 - Higher Education Practicum
HE 797 - Higher Education Portfolio
HE 644 - Management and Administration of Student Services

Education

Ph.D., Higher Education, George Mason University

M.Ed., Higher Education and Student Affairs, University of South Carolina

B.A., Film Studies and B.A., Spanish, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Recent Presentations

Collaborating in a Crisis: Advancement, Student Affairs and Emergency Funding
May 2021; Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, National Webinar

Family Weekend Planning and Production: Increase Interaction, Engagement & Opportunities for Revenue Generation
February 2019; Paper Clip Communications, National Webinar

Family Weekend: Gateway to Greater Communication, Interaction and Revenue
Apr. 2014, Feb. 2015, Feb. 2018, Feb. 2019; Paper Clip Communications, National Webinar

Focusing on the Positive: Appreciative Inquiry and Strengths-Based Practices
March 2015; American College Personnel Association National Conference, Tampa, FL

The Role of Councils and Advisory Boards in Engaging Parents and Families
March 2014; National Orientation Directors Association Regional Conference, Lawrenceville, NJ

A Double Shot of Leadership: Lessons Learned from Starbucks
March 2013; American College Personnel Association National Conference, Las Vegas, NV

Geauxing the Distance: Surviving and Thriving in Your First Job
November 2011; National Orientation Directors Association National Conference, New Orleans, LA

From Backpacks to Briefcases: Surviving Your First Job
March 2011; American College Personnel Association National Conference, Baltimore, MD

Navigating the New Frontier of Supervision
November 2010; National Orientation Directors Association National Conference, St. Louis, MO

A GRADifying Experience: Plan the Recruitment Program, They Will Come!
March 2010; American College Personnel Association National Conference, Boston, MA

Higher Education Goes Global
March 2009; American College Personnel Association National Conference, Washington, DC
March 2009; Comparative and International Education Society National Conference, Charleston, SC