Michael Hillman

The first time I visited Baltimore, I knew I wanted to be a part of Hopkins. I absolutely love living on the East Coast and working at a prestigious university. Growing up only minutes from Disneyland in Orange County, California, Michael Hillman took a chance after college and headed east — a move that would eventually lead him to the School of Nursing. 

“I moved to New York City after graduating college with no career or job prospects,” he says. “By chance I secured an interview at Columbia Business School for a development coordinator role. I had no relevant experience. I landed the job and now years later I’m at Hopkins.” 

Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in media and cultural studies from the University of California, Riverside, and his master’s in higher and postsecondary education from Columbia. Although Michael is from California, he now calls Maryland home. 

“The first time I visited Baltimore, I knew I wanted to be a part of Hopkins. I absolutely love living on the East Coast and working at a prestigious university,” he says. “Deep down I’m an East Coast kind of guy. It suits me well.” 

What do you do in DAR?
I am one of the frontline fundraisers at the School of Nursing. I’m regularly engaging with alumni and donors of the school, qualifying prospects, cultivating relationships, and soliciting gifts. I’m also responsible for annual giving at the school and managing our shared assistant director of development, who handles our donor pipeline. 

What does your job involve that others might not realize?
I also work with donors who won’t be making another gift but need that extra special care. 

I had a major donor in my portfolio who had made a restricted gift years ago, but the gift was so restricted at the time that the school ended up not being able to utilize the funding. When I began my role, I immediately started attempting to mend that donor relationship. After multiple conversations and thoughtful engagement, the donor signed an addendum to his gift agreement to open up the funding. 

What do you like most about your job?
I have wonderful supervisors and colleagues who are truly a pleasure to work for and with. 

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I moved into a roach-infested basement in Queens, New York, and had no career prospects. I somehow landed a position in development. That opportunity led to everything else in my adult life. 

What do you like to do when you are not working?
I love watching movies from all different time periods and across all genres. My favorite eras of film are the 80s to early 90s. 

Please share something we don’t know about you?
When I lived in New York, I hosted a very popular open mic night in Queens.