Karin Van Dyke now Vice President of External Relations and Advancement

Finlandia University is pleased to announce Karin Van Dyke is stepping into the role of Vice President of External Relations and Advancement.

“Throughout my career, I have had some awesome positions which gave me the opportunity to extend the reach of my organization by strengthening public relations and community connections,” said Van Dyke.  “With this role change, we now have the opportunity to devote dedicated time to do this important work.”

Van Dyke has been at Finlandia for five years, starting as the human resources director in 2013. In 2014, she was named the Vice President for University Relations where she led several units including the Jutila Center, the Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) and Finlandia University Gallery, human resources, Title IX, marketing and communications, dining services, housekeeping and facilities management, information technology and campus security. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Forestry/Forest Management from Michigan Technological University.

While Van Dyke will be managing a number of different tasks, she’s most excited about working on the advancement team with President Philip Johnson and Executive Administrative Assistant to the President and Advancement, Doreen Korpela.

“Prior to coming to Finlandia, I also had previous career experience in these same areas, which includes donor development, fundraising, public relations and community outreach,” said Van Dyke. “So personally, this change brings me back to things I used to do, and very much enjoy.”

She also mentioned several initiatives with the Jutila Center and Finnish American Heritage Center that are in the works.

“We are planning to develop and launch a co-working space in the Jutila over the summer,” said Van Dyke. “There are always great programs and opportunities at the FAHC Archive, gallery and Finnish American Reporter, with more visitors and opportunities ahead of us.”

And while Van Dyke is stepping into her new role, the reasons she loves Finlandia are still the same.

“I love working for an organization where small is good,” she said. “Finlandia is a unique university that provides a niche in which great opportunities can happen. I greatly value our traditions and our ‘Finnish-ness’; past, present and, most excitedly, the future.”