Carly Holtkamp | SIU Foundation | SIU

As assistant director of development with the SIU Foundation, Carly Holtkamp works to strengthen philanthropic support for the Simmons Law School. In collaboration with the school’s leadership and faculty, she helps align donor passions with its mission, ensuring that gifts have a lasting impact on academic excellence, student success and community engagement.

She previously served as director of external relations at Simmons, where she led strategic communications, alumni engagement, community and business relations, marketing and media outreach.

With 15 years of experience in higher education administration and student engagement, Carly has built a reputation for fostering strong partnerships, advancing institutional priorities and elevating the visibility of the law school regionally and nationally. She is deeply committed to strengthening the school’s connection with its alumni, community and prospective students while supporting its mission of access, excellence and public service.

Carly is pursuing a doctorate in educational administration at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, with an anticipated completion in 2026. She earned her Master of Arts in student affairs administration in higher education from Ball State University in 2011. In 2010, she completed her Bachelor of Science in speech communication, with a concentration in public relations and a minor in business administration, at SIU Edwardsville. She resides in Makanda with her husband and two children.