Expertise/Research Interests
Melissa Ford Molloy was appointed vice president of advancement, marketing and communications at Park University in July 2025 after previously serving as the University’s chief advancement officer. In her role, Molloy provides strategic leadership for the University’s advancement, marketing and communications efforts, including fundraising, alumni engagement, corporate and foundation relations, donor stewardship, advancement services, brand strategy, public relations and institutional communications. She also works closely with the University’s Board of Trustees to strengthen philanthropic support and advance Park’s mission and strategic priorities.
Molloy joined Park University as associate vice president for advancement after coming from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where she served as director of philanthropic giving for the School of Science and Engineering. She has nearly two decades of experience in fundraising and nonprofit leadership in Kansas City, including roles with the Kansas City Ballet, Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri, and United WE. She also served for more than five years as executive director of the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Molloy earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance from Oklahoma City University. She is a member of the Kansas City Young Matrons and has served on the Kansas City Ballet Guild’s Board of Directors, including as its president in 2022-23.