Clark School Welcomes Kier, New Associate Director of Development

rebecca keir

The A. James Clark School of Engineering welcomes Rebecca Kier as the new Associate Director of Development. Kier comes to the University of Maryland from Houston Grand Opera, where she was a Development Officer and Annual Fund Manager. She has a deep passion for higher education and is thrilled to join the Clark School and the Departments of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Kier has an extensive background in fundraising. At Houston Grand Opera, she was a key fundraiser for the $165 million “Inspiring Performance” Campaign, and lead fundraiser for "River of Light," a world-premiere chamber opera. Kier has supported donor relations and financial administration for several large arts centers, including the Houston Ballet, Santa Fe Opera and The Atlanta Opera.

Prior to her career in development, Kier taught voice and sang professionally with a variety of opera companies and orchestras. She received her Bachelor of Music in Applied Voice from the University of Delaware and her Master of Music in Voice from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Kier's husband, Craig Kier, joins her at UMD. He was appointed Director of the Maryland Opera Studio starting fall 2014 at UMD's School of Music.

You can contact Kier at rkier@umd.edu or 301-405-0318.

Published January 15, 2015