Bridget Campolettano joined Dartmouth on Oct. 1 as the inaugural executive director of Arts and Sciences communications. In this new role, she serves on Interim Dean Nina Pavcnik’s leadership cabinet and leads communications strategy for the recently established School of Arts and Sciences.
Campolettano brings more than a decade of experience shaping communications in higher education, with previous roles at Amherst College and the College of the Holy Cross. A New Hampshire native, she’s eager to return to the Upper Valley and collaborate with faculty and staff to showcase both innovative scholarship and the work that supports student success behind the scenes.
In this Q&A, Campolettano shares what drew her to Dartmouth, what she’s most excited to explore—both on campus and in the Upper Valley—and how her experiences have shaped her approach to communication and connection.
What drew you to this role, and what are you most looking forward to in the position?
I love the work of communications, especially within higher ed, because it serves as a connective tissue within an institution—helping faculty research and teaching reach broader audiences, supporting professional staff in advancing student success, and shaping the student and alumni experiences that define an institution’s legacy. I’m particularly energized by this moment at Dartmouth, where thoughtful communication strategy can help amplify the exceptional work happening across Arts and Sciences.
Having worked primarily at undergraduate-only institutions before this, I’m especially excited to learn more about Dartmouth’s distinctive scholar-teacher model and to understand the breadth and depth of research and support systems across the school. I look forward to partnering with both faculty and staff to help tell these important stories—celebrating the research that drives discovery while also highlighting the essential behind-the-scenes work that makes student success possible.
You’re moving to Hanover. What are you most eager to explore or experience in the Upper Valley?
I’m a New Hampshire native—I grew up in Laconia in the Lakes Region—and I’ve long hoped to raise my own kids here. Beyond the obvious draw of outdoor recreation, I’m genuinely excited to become part of the Hanover and Upper Valley community. I’m looking forward to exploring the region's outdoor spaces—skiing, hiking, and biking—but also finding new coffee shops and bookstores to frequent.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Outside of work, I wear my other hat as mom to three kiddos: Nora, Olivia, and Jameson. We can usually be found doing some sort of elaborate crafting or building project: they have pretty big imaginations!
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I spent a year in Juneau, Alaska with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, an AmeriCorps-supported program, shortly after graduating. I worked as a program coordinator for the independent living center, where I co-led the Outdoor Recreation and Community Access program. Beyond the adventure of it—teaching adaptive ski lessons, leading kayaking and hiking expeditions, and exploring the Inside Passage—what I’m most proud of is the work itself: making outdoor spaces and experiences accessible to people with disabilities.
That experience shaped how I think about community, equity and inclusion, especially as it intersects with the work of communications. It reinforced my belief that organizations thrive when everyone has a genuine voice and seat at the table.