Karen J. Hoke has made her return to the campus of Saint Joseph College in West Hartford.
This time, instead of attending classes as a student, she’s managing programs as director of annual giving and alumni relations.
Hoke, 50, grew up in Manchester and joined the U.S. Army after high school.
After three years in Europe, she returned to upstate New York and became the docent coordinator of the Utica Zoo, where she worked for 10 years with about 50 volunteers to organize educational programs for schools and groups.
After earning an associate’s degree in general studies from Manchester Community College, she completed requirements for a bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education at Saint Joseph College in 1995.
“I did my student teaching after graduation and quickly found out that it wasn’t going to hold my interest for the long term,” Hoke said. “I had a moment of panic that I had put all of this effort and money into getting my degree. But I thought I could do something with research or writing.”
She did just that with several nonprofit organizations, including the University of Hartford, YWCA of the Hartford Region and Inter-Community Mental Health Group Inc., where she researched grant opportunities.
That nonprofit work led her to the position of executive director at the Community Foundation of the Tri-County Area in Windham.
“My work there helped me realize what I really enjoyed,” Hoke said. “I created the Women and Girls Fund for eastern Connecticut and liked working with a big team.”
As executive director, Hoke built a charitable endowment to benefit 31 towns and managed regional grant-making programs.
Hoke’s new position at Saint Joseph College allows her to specialize in one area and to return to the campus that she had missed. The mother of three is now a member of a large team dedicated to professional development at the college.
Her transition to the job was made easier by her awareness of the college’s values and mission.
“There was an instant connection, almost like coming back home,” Hoke said.
In her spare time, Hoke serves as a board member of the SI Financial Group Foundation.
She is also pursuing a master’s degree in English and creative writing from Trinity College.
