Paula Younger leads Ithaca College's government, community, and constituent engagement program, building relationships and establishing partnerships that strengthen the college's impact locally, regionally, and beyond. As Executive Director for Government, Community, and Constituent Relations and a member of the President's team, she advances strategic engagement with government officials, business and nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community stakeholders.
Having first joined Ithaca College in 2018, Younger brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning higher education, municipal government, and government contracting. Throughout her career, she has worked extensively with federal, state, and local government agencies, community-based organizations, and higher education institutions across the country, leading large-scale initiatives involving strategic planning, public policy, organizational development, workforce development, compliance, and stakeholder engagement.
Younger's work is guided by the belief that colleges and communities are strongest when they work together. She champions Ithaca College's role as an anchor institution, helping to align Ithaca College's mission with the evolving needs and aspirations of the local and regional community by cultivating reciprocal partnerships that promote student success, innovation, economic vitality, workforce development, and community well-being.
Prior to joining Ithaca College, Younger served as Deputy County Administrator for Tompkins County, where she helped oversee county operations encompassing 27 departments and an annual budget of $179 million serving over 100,000 residents. She led strategic initiatives involving organizational effectiveness, including policy development and compliance accountability. Earlier in her career, she held executive leadership positions with nationally recognized government contracting organizations supporting the U.S. Departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services.
Younger holds a master's degree in Human Services Administration from Springfield College and a bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders from Hampton University.
An active civic and community leader, Younger represents Ithaca College on the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board and serves on the TC3 Foundation Board of Directors, where she chairs the Board Development Committee. Her previous board service includes vice chair of the Board of Directors for Cayuga Health System and trustee of Kendal at Ithaca. Paula also performs with the Ithaca-based Dorothy Cotton Jubilee Singers.