Bethany Hardwig

About Bethany Hardwig

I am a higher education leader with more than a decade of experience in alumni and donor relations, student engagement, and strategic communications. My work has always centered on improving the experiences and long-term outcomes of students and alumni while strengthening the institutions that serve them.Previously, I served as the Vice President of Alumni and Donor Connections at the NDSU Foundation, where I led the development and execution of strategic initiatives designed to deepen engagement, cultivate loyalty, and inspire philanthropy across the university community. In that role, I partnered closely with campus leaders, trustees, and donors to advance programs that delivered meaningful connection and sustained institutional impact.Relationships remain the throughline of my career. I excel at building strategic, mutually beneficial alliances with students, alumni, families, and campus partners—ensuring that every initiative reflects both purpose and partnership. I have a consistent record of crafting innovative solutions and delivering ambitious results, from launching a student housing program to expanding alumni network participation to strengthening campuswide connection points for students.Above all, I am committed to promoting excellence and belonging—creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and able to thrive. This commitment informs how I lead teams, design programs, and approach institutional strategy. I’m endlessly curious, energized by collaboration, and motivated by the belief that higher education can and should be a place where people move forward with confidence and community.EXPERTISEAcademic Leadership, Strategic Planning, Program Development, Project Management, Student Affairs, Budgeting, Relationship Development, Student Engagement, Student & Alumni Relations, Fundraising & Philanthropy, Recruiting, Needs Assessment, Process Improvement, Community Outreach, Marketing & Promotions, P&L, Negotiations, Policy Development, Team Building & Leadership, Networking, Donor Relations, Mediation, Public Speaking

Experience

1. Founder

   Signal Story Studio

   Oct 2025 — Present

   Signal + Story helps mission-driven teams move forward with purpose. We bring clarity to strategy and resonance to storytelling, aligning people and priorities around a shared vision.Our work centers on:Strategic communications that inspire trust and momentumStorytelling that strengthens connection with stakeholders and communitiesCampaigns and initiatives that drive sustainable impactWith a focus on integrity, clarity, and purpose, Signal + Story partners with leaders and organizations to turn complexity into progress.

Education

• University of Utah

  Master of Legal Studies

• North Dakota State University

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD , Education, Institutional Effectiveness

• Geneva College

  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and Communications

  2006 — 2010

Skills

• Social Media Marketing
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Apple Pages
• Apple Numbers
• Lifestyle Photography
• Portrait Photography
• Video Editing
• Newborn Photography
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Image Editing
• Social Media Communications
• Photography
• Microsoft Word
• Film Production
• Family Photography
• Senior Portraits