A 31-year-old Butler County Community College Education Foundation administrator assiduous in pursuing financial contributions used to combat student food insecurity and community opioid addiction has been appointed as leader of the charitable organization.

As executive director of the BC3 Education Foundation and external relations, Mikayla Moretti becomes the principal point of fundraising for the college.

Since her hiring in October 2017 as the foundation’s director of special events, the lifelong Saxonburg resident has held progressively responsible positions and spearheaded efforts that secured $274,000 for BC3 academic and community initiatives. She introduced ideas that increased revenue by up to 28% at the most popular annual fundraiser for the college.

Moretti succeeds Megan Coval, whom BC3 trustees appointed as interim president in March 2024 and selected as the college’s ninth president in March 2025.

The executive director of the BC3 Education Foundation and external relations acquires and manages private resources to benefit the college.

Moretti had served in an interim capacity for her new position since November.

“And what I learned,” Moretti said, “was the power of teamwork. We are very fortunate here at BC3 that everyone gives their all, not only to our students, but to our community.”

Moretti volunteers with organizations such as the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, Butler Downtown, the Butler County Young Professionals, the Butler County Women’s Alliance Council and the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.

“You can’t do it alone,” she said. “BC3 is also surrounded by people who genuinely care about our students, about the institution and about our community.”

Moretti has managed efforts that raised more than $134,000 in private grants or donations since 2019 to address student food insecurity.

She also played a role in obtaining an $80,000 private grant to help fund construction of the Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building that opened in August 2023 on BC3’s main campus in Butler Township and to purchase a simulated pediatric patient used to educate students in the facility’s Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health.

Moretti also secured private grants of $40,000 to benefit BC3’s Hope is Dope opioid addiction recovery program and $20,000 to buy 3D printers for the college’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics division.

The college’s Pioneer Pantry serves about 850 patrons each year. BC3’s Hope is Dope opioid addiction recovery program and related Hope Nights attracted 379 guests in 2024-2025.

“A true believer in and champion of BC3,” Coval said of Moretti. “And that comes out in her work every single day… Throughout her entire time at the foundation, she has been able to witness firsthand how the funds raised are used to change students’ lives. I know that is very motivating for her. Every time she sees a life changed it solidifies her belief in the work that we are doing and the students we are serving.”

In addition to leading efforts to acquire private grants and donations, Moretti implemented strategic sponsorship and online contribution platforms that increased revenue at the yearly BC3 Education Foundation golf outing by up to 28%.

The event in 2018 was Moretti’s first with the BC3 Education Foundation and generated $90,000. It has surpassed that amount each year since, including a record $115,000 in 2021, a 28% increase compared to 2018, and $108,000 in 2023, a 20% increase.

The golf outing raises unrestricted funds and draws more than 120 golfers each year.

Unrestricted funds can support, in addition to food insecurity and opioid addiction recovery programming, adult literacy, first responders, high school programming, scholarships and other BC3 initiatives.

“I have been fortunate to know Mikayla since her earlier days at BC3 and she has been such a positive presence in everything she is involved with,” said Tony Shakely, chair of the BC3 Education Foundation board since 2018, a 1994 BC3 graduate and a commercial loan officer with Armco Credit Union.

The 15-member board is responsible for managing the foundation’s assets and for advocating for the college.

“Mikayla brings a dedication and excitement and passion to BC3,” Shakely said. “It’s not just a job for her. She really believes in what she is doing. When you are fundraising, it’s important that you believe in what you are talking about with potential donors. She believes in what she is talking about.

“The level of confidence she is able to instill in donors makes them feel more comfortable in making that gift to the college.”

Moretti is a 2012 graduate of Knoch High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2017 and a Master of Business Administration degree from Point Park University in 2022.

Bill Foley is coordinator of news and media content at Butler County Community College.