In this powerful episode of the Campus and Character Podcast, host David sits down with Tom Schaeffer, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications at the Bloomsburg University Foundation, to explore how storytelling fuels leadership, generosity, and lasting impact in higher education.

A proud graduate of Bloomsburg University, Tom shares his journey from communication studies major to senior leadership. After launching his career in healthcare marketing with Geisinger and later transitioning into tourism promotion, Tom felt a calling to return to his alma mater. When an opportunity opened at the Foundation during the public phase of the “It’s Personal” campaign, he stepped in—and ten years later, he’s still helping shape the narrative of student success.

At the heart of this conversation is the power of authentic storytelling. Tom explains how building meaningful relationships across campus—faculty, athletics, advancement, students, and alumni—creates a pipeline for discovering stories that inspire action. Whether highlighting scholarship recipients, profiling generous donors, or amplifying student-athlete success, Tom emphasizes that every compelling story begins with trust.

One standout moment from the episode captures storytelling’s tangible impact. Early in his tenure, Tom wrote a feature about a major scholarship commitment from then-university president Dr. Soltz. Within days of publication, a donor contributed $10,000 to the same scholarship after being moved by the story. That experience cemented what Tom believes deeply: when stories are shared well, they don’t just inform—they activate generosity.

The conversation also explores the evolving landscape of higher education. While external pressures and post-COVID shifts continue to reshape institutions, Tom notes that one thing remains constant: students. First-generation students, in particular, often become both scholarship recipients and future donors. That full-circle thread—students supported today becoming supporters tomorrow—is what fuels the Foundation’s mission.

Tom also discusses the Foundation’s robust internship program, which gives marketing, sales, communication, and media students real-world experience through call center engagement, video production, social media campaigns, and annual giving initiatives. Programs like the “All In Day of Giving,” which recently surpassed its goal with an astounding 2,810 donors in a single day, demonstrate how strategic messaging and campus-wide collaboration can mobilize an entire community.

Beyond strategy, the episode dives into leadership. Tom describes his style as relational and empowering—helping people feel comfortable sharing their stories without feeling boastful. He believes leadership is less about titles and more about presence. “You’re not a leader until someone follows you,” he says, emphasizing the importance of simply showing up—prepared, consistent, and committed.

In a rapid-fire segment, listeners get a glimpse into the personal side of Tom: reliable, inspired by his wife’s relentless kindness, a former basketball player, and a fan of pen-and-paper preparedness.

This episode is a masterclass in mission-driven communication. Whether you’re a campus leader, student, alumni professional, or aspiring storyteller, you’ll walk away inspired by how intentional messaging, authentic relationships, and servant leadership can transform a university community—one story at a time.