We are happy to announce that Caitlyn Dial, Ph.D. has joined the Graduate School team as our Senior Director of Development. Caitlyn will be working to increase funding opportunities for graduate students.
We asked Caitlyn a few questions to learn more about herself and her work.
1. Your own PhD was funded by donor fellowships. What does it feel like to now support those same opportunities for MSU students?
It feels like bringing my career entirely full circle, and it gives me a profound sense of responsibility.
When I was pursuing my PhD, donor-funded fellowships weren't just financial line items - they were the oxygen that allowed me to focus, research, and complete my degree without an overwhelming burden of debt. I know firsthand the exact, tangible impact a donor’s generosity has on a graduate student's life.
To now sit on this side of the desk and advocate for those same game-changing opportunities for MSU graduate students is incredibly personal. I don't just understand the case for support intellectually; I lived it.
2. What is the biggest thing outsiders misinterpret about the modern graduate student experience that donors need to hear?
The biggest misconception is that graduate school is just 'more college' or a prolonged period of classic student life.
In reality, today’s graduate students are high-level researchers, instructors, innovators, and primary drivers of the university's intellectual output. They are often balancing advanced scholarship with complex life stages like supporting their families, managing real-world economic pressures, and navigating an increasingly competitive global landscape.
Donors need to hear that investing in graduate education isn't just funding a student; it’s funding the vital research, teaching, and breakthroughs that push society forward. When we support a graduate student, we are investing in a professional workforce at the highest level.
3. What is the biggest lesson you’re bringing from your previous fundraising success at MSU into this new role?
Fundraising is never about the transaction; it is entirely about deep, authentic relationships and shared vision.
Having raised over $18.5 million across various colleges and departments here at MSU since 2019, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that donors don't just give to institutions - they give to ideas and people they believe in.
Success comes from listening intently to what a donor cares about and showing them exactly how their passion aligns with MSU’s strengths. I’m bringing that same donor-centric, collaborative approach to the Graduate School, ensuring our partners see the direct impact of their philanthropy on the next generation of leaders.
4. How do you plan to bridge the MSU Libraries and the Graduate School to benefit students? What are your immediate priorities?
The MSU Libraries and the Graduate School are natural, powerful allies. The libraries serve as the intellectual laboratory for the entire campus, and graduate students are among its most frequent and sophisticated users.
My goal is to create philanthropic initiatives that reflect this synergy - such as funding advanced digital scholarship spaces, creating graduate research fellowships, building support for critical research collections at the libraries, or supporting professional development programs that bridge research and career readiness.
My immediate priorities are:
- Listen and Learn: Immersing myself in the strategic goals of both units to find the sweet spots where their missions overlap.
- Identify Urgent Needs: Pinpointing immediate funding gaps in graduate fellowship stipends and library resource modernization.
- Build Relationships: Bridging and building trust with our donors and stakeholders
5. You mentioned having fun in this role. What does "fun" look like in academic development?
Fun in development is that 'aha!' moment when a donor's passion perfectly aligns with a university priority, and you watch a transformative idea come to life.
It’s the energy of brainstorming big, audacious goals with leadership, and then getting out into the world to share those stories. Academic fundraising allows us to be creative matchmakers - connecting brilliant, hard-working students and faculty with the resources that unleash their potential. When you get to spend your days talking about the incredible research happening at MSU and helping people make a lasting difference with their wealth, that’s not just fulfilling, it's really fun!
6. As an MSU alumna who has been fundraising on campus since 2019, what makes this new leadership role within the Graduate School particularly meaningful to you? Do you have a favorite campus spot?
This role is incredibly meaningful because my history with MSU runs deep. I’m a proud Spartan alum, having earned my BA in History here in 2007, and I’ve been fundraising on campus since 2019.
What makes this a true full-circle moment for me is that one of my favorite, most impactful undergraduate professors was Dr. Pero Dagbovie, who is now the Dean of the Graduate School. He was an incredible teacher when I was a student, who really changed my perspective on the study of history. So, to now sit at the leadership table and work alongside him to champion the graduate community is an absolute privilege.
As for my favorite campus spot, it’s hard to beat the view of the Red Cedar River behind the Main Library. It beautifully captures the essence of MSU: a peaceful, historic natural landscape right alongside a powerhouse engine of research and learning.
7. How do you like to recharge when you're not championing the graduate community?
For me, recharging is all about high-energy movement, family, and serving my community.
You can usually find me hitting my local CrossFit gym early in the morning, or at a Brighton District Library board meeting where I serve as President of the Board of Trustees.
At home, it’s all about spending quality time with my husband, Phil, our two boys, and our rescue pup, Juniper Count Chocula. Whether we're skiing at Mt. Brighton in the winter, riding roller coasters at Michigan's Adventure, or just tackling projects at home, those moments of joy allow me to bring my best, energized self-back to campus.