Stonehill College Appoints Next Vice President for Advancement

President John Denning, C.S.C., recently announced the appointment of Steve King as Stonehill College’s next Vice President for Advancement, effective October 1, 2026. He will oversee development, alumni and donor engagement, advancement communications, and operations as the division leads fundraising and other strategic initiatives that support the institution’s long-term success.

King will succeed Doug Smith, the current Vice President for Advancement. Smith will transition to the role of Senior Advisor to the President for Advancement before retiring from the College on December 31, 2026.  

“I am grateful to Steve for graciously accepting his new appointment,” Fr. Denning said. “Since he began working at Stonehill, he has demonstrated that he is a dynamic leader committed to expanding the opportunities and resources available to our community. I am also deeply appreciative of Doug Smith’s leadership and service to Stonehill. His work has strengthened the College in many ways. I look forward to working with Steve as he builds upon the foundation that Doug has helped establish, while also bringing his own vision to the Senior Leadership team.” 

King joined the campus community in 2023. He has played an integral role in expanding philanthropic support for Stonehill through initiatives like Built to Rise. Launched in May 2026, this transformative campaign is helping elevate the student experience through the creation of state-of-the-art facilities that support success on and off the field. These venues include the forthcoming Tom and Kathleen Bogan Arena, which will feature a basketball center and an ice hockey rink, as well as a new Athletic Fields Complex with upgraded baseball and softball fields.  

Prior to working at Stonehill, King served as Senior Vice President for Advancement at Brown University and Executive Director of the Brown University Sports Foundation. His background extends beyond higher education to the financial sector. He was previously Executive Director and Senior Banker at J.P. Morgan Private Bank and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley.  

King played hockey professionally from 1991 to 2000. He was drafted as part of the National Hockey League supplemental draft, which led to stints with teams such as the New York Rangers and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. In recognition of his talent and record of athletic achievement, he was named to the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame in 2023.  

King graduated from Brown University with a degree in Organizational Behavior and Management. While working toward his degree, he played collegiate hockey for four seasons.

“As a member of Stonehill’s Advancement team and the parent of two recent graduates, I’ve come to value so many things that are vital to the life of this community, including how committed students, faculty, staff, and families are to the success of this institution, as well as how engaged alumni are, even decades after they graduate,” King said. “In my new role, I look forward to working with our team to continue building on those attributes and ensuring Stonehill flourishes for generations to come.”