Timothy Rooke has been hired following a search for a special assistant to the president for Community and Government Affairs at Westfield State. In his role, Rooke will provide strategic support to the institution by building strong relationships and partnerships with key external groups, organizations, and individuals. Rooke’s focus, in an increasingly competitive higher education landscape, will include agencies and organizations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts—including the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance and the Massachusetts State College Building Authority—and Western Massachusetts communities.
Rooke has served as an at-large Springfield City Councilor since 1995. His other political experience includes serving as an executive assistant for Legislative and Constituent Affairs in the Springfield office for Congressman Richard E. Neal and serving as an administrative aid in the Office of the Mayor in Springfield.
Prior to Westfield State, Rooke was the vice president of development of Springfield-based Axia Insurance Services since 2012. Before his time at Axia, he served as vice president of Chase, Clarke, Stewart & Fontana Insurance, also in Springfield.
As special assistant to the president for Community and Government Affairs at Westfield State, he will collaborate with all university divisions, including Institutional Advancement, where community relations is managed from a fundraising perspective.