Jennifer Carr ’19 has been a storyteller throughout her career. While that’s neither her official title nor job description, it encapsulates what she has done and continues to do with skill and enthusiasm.
Carr serves as the associate director of donor relations in the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. A significant part of her role involves interviewing donors, faculty members, alumni, and current students to share stories about life at UHart and post-college successes.
Twelve years ago, as the University’s alumni relations administrator, she learned what graduates were doing in their professional lives and contributed this information to the Observer alumni newspaper. Carr was subsequently promoted to assistant director and then to associate director for donor relations.
“In most of my roles, I shared stories that, depending on my position, promoted the University, encouraged philanthropy, developed meaningful relationships, or supported our mission,” says Carr, who built her career at UHart after being a stay-at-home mother for 17 years.
In her current position, she supports the donor relations team, helping them share ideas, communicate outreach programs, and create events that acknowledge major donors. “We have a shared goal,” she explains, “to honor the past while building connections for the future.”
It was during her earlier role that Carr developed an interest in planned giving, which motivated her to advance within the department. “I trained to do more than just administrative work,” she explains. “I tagged along on donor visits, attended all Founders Society events, and observed the behind-the-scenes work involved with bequests, estate gifts, and processing. I even learned what it's like to work with attorneys.”
As a result, she built strong relationships within the donor community, an asset that remains a strength. “My work is now more project-oriented, and the stories I solicit and share are as compelling as ever.”
Carr's original career goal was to become a teacher. However, when her three children were transitioning out of their teenage years, she found that classroom leadership no longer appealed to her. “I wanted a job where my personality, morals, and values aligned with the work that needed to be done,” she says. “I quickly found that at UHart, working with donors and alumni. It makes me feel that, in some way, I help make this community better and that I am changing the world one donor, one student, and one graduate at a time. While my career may not have followed a traditional path, it has led me to something deeply fulfilling.”
Carr earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from UHart in 2019.
Along the way, she found not only a satisfying professional home for herself, but also a rewarding academic environment for her children. Her oldest daughter, a UHart graduate, is now a successful teacher; her middle son, who graduated from UHart four years ago, is a senior consultant at Travelers Insurance; and her youngest son is currently in the 3+1 accelerated program at UHart’s Barney School of Business.
“With every encounter with donors and alumni, I walk away with pure inspiration,” Carr concludes. “Hearing alumni discuss how their success started here, or how a student obtained an opportunity because of a donor’s generosity, fills me with renewed confidence in the importance of my work. I’m truly touched by all the wonderful things the University of Hartford represents.”
Watch for more profiles throughout the summer about dedicated members of our campus community who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make UHart a special place.