Podcasts about university advancement

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent welcomes Peter Wilch, Senior Vice President for University Advancement at Loyola Marymount University.Peter shares his journey from growing up as the youngest of nine in Mount Vernon, Iowa, to finding purpose in higher education fundraising. As a first-generation college graduate, Peter reflects on the transformative experience he had at Cornell College and how it ignited his commitment to pay it forward through philanthropy.He walks us through his early career—from financial services to an unexpected introduction to development—and highlights the transferable skills that helped him thrive as a gift officer. Peter shares lessons from formative roles at Grinnell and the University of Iowa, and explains how those experiences shaped his leadership at Cornell, the University of San Francisco, and now LMU.Peter also discusses how AI can empower fundraisers to focus on what matters most: building lasting relationships. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, healthy competition, and the shared wins that define great advancement work—like the $25 million Levy Foundation challenge gift that galvanized the LMU team and set a new bar for impact.Tune in to hear about Peter's approach to growing teams, cultivating lifelong donor relationships, and leading with humility, curiosity, and purpose.

In this episode of Alumless, Chris Marshall and Nicole Kempton explore the growing intersection of innovation and university advancement with Dr. Davy Norris, Senior Vice President for Innovation and Advancement and CEO of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation. Louisiana Tech recently made a bold move by merging its Innovation Enterprise with University Advancement, a strategic shift that positions alumni, research, and economic development at the heart of institutional growth. Davy shares what prompted this integration, how it aligns with Louisiana Tech's mission, and what it means for philanthropy, industry partnerships, and alumni engagement. The conversation dives into the future of alumni participation in innovation, the role of advancement in supporting research commercialization, and how this model could reshape regional economic development. This episode provides key insights for institutions rethinking how advancement and innovation can work together to create new opportunities for students, faculty, and alumni. Subscribe to Alumless to hear the extended podcast conversation, and special thanks to AlumniQ for sponsoring this episode. Visit alumniq.com for details on their events-and-all technology.

Welcome to "Advancement Amplified: AI for IA," a 5-part Pulse Check hosted by Dan Giroux, a higher education marketing and communications leader focused on elevating the strategic impact of Advancement. Advancement is at a pivotal moment. As institutions navigate shifting donor expectations, alumni engagement challenges, financial pressures, and the demand for greater efficiency, AI is emerging as a transformative force.In today's Part 1, Dan Giroux sits down with Matthew Lambert, Senior Vice President for University Advancement at William & Mary, and Dan Frezza, Chief Advancement Officer at the College of Charleston. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of institutional advancement, from donor engagement to marketing and career services. With rapid technological shifts, both institutions are leveraging AI-powered tools, including autonomous virtual engagement officers (VEOs), to enhance outreach and optimize fundraising efforts.Related Links:Inside Higher Ed interview with Wren and Wren's websiteAGB magazine article around AIKey TakeawaysAI is not a replacement, but an enhancement. AI tools in advancement free up professionals to focus on high-value tasks while automating routine processes like contact reports and donor outreach.Virtual Engagement Officers (VEOs) are changing the game. AI-driven fundraisers at William & Mary and the College of Charleston are already fostering one-on-one donor relationships, leading to increased engagement and donations.AI adoption requires a culture of innovation. Institutions that embrace risk-taking and long-term thinking are better positioned to leverage AI effectively.Personalization is key. AI tools can customize communication, ensuring alumni and donors receive relevant, engaging content that strengthens their connection to their alma mater.Transparency builds trust. Clearly identifying AI-powered agents in donor interactions helps maintain credibility and donor confidence.Advancement leaders should experiment and iterate. Small-scale testing of AI tools allows teams to refine their approach while minimizing risks.Episode SummaryHow is AI Being Used in Institutional Advancement?AI is playing an increasingly critical role in institutional advancement, helping teams engage donors, streamline operations, and personalize communications. Both William & Mary and the College of Charleston are leveraging AI-driven solutions like virtual engagement officers (VEOs) to handle donor outreach, allowing human fundraisers to focus on high-value relationships. AI is also being integrated into marketing, career services, and student engagement to drive deeper connections across the university ecosystem.What Are Virtual Engagement Officers (VEOs) and How Do They Work?VEOs are AI-powered autonomous fundraisers that manage donor portfolios, initiate personalized conversations, and guide alumni through the giving process. At William & Mary, the VEO named "Wren" is engaging alumni by sharing curated content, answering inquiries, and even suggesting philanthropic opportunities based on donor interests. Similarly, the College of Charleston's VEO, “Alex,” is successfully fostering engagement by tailoring interactions, including crafting poetry for an alum who tested its capabilities.How Do Institutions Ensure AI Enhances, Rather Than Replaces, Human Connection?A key priority for both institutions is maintaining authenticity and transparency in AI-driven interactions. AI fundraisers introduce themselves as virtual engagement officers, rather than impersonating human staff members. Additionally, AI serves as a bridge to real fundraisers, helping schedule meetings or flagging high-potential donors for personal outreach. By handling lower-priority tasks, AI allows advancement professionals to deepen relationships with major donors and alumni in meaningful ways.What Challenges Exist in AI Adoption for Advancement?Implementing AI in institutional advancement comes with hurdles, including skepticism from staff, concerns over data security, and the need for institutional buy-in. Some advancement professionals worry about AI's impact on job security, while others fear losing the human touch in donor relationships. However, leaders like Lambert and Frezza emphasize that AI is not replacing human fundraisers, but rather empowering them to be more efficient and effective.What's Next for AI in Advancement?Both William & Mary and the College of Charleston plan to expand their use of AI beyond fundraising. Future applications may include using AI for student engagement, career advising, and even enrollment marketing. As AI technology continues to evolve, its role in advancement will likely grow, offering new ways to personalize outreach, improve donor experiences, and drive institutional success.AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it's happening now, and institutions that embrace it strategically will have a competitive edge in advancement and fundraising.Guest Names: Matthew Lambert, Senior Vice President of University Advancement, William & Mary; CEO, William & Mary FoundationDan Frezza, Chief Advancement Officer of Institutional Advancement, College of Charleston; CEO, College of Charleston FoundationGuest Socials: Matthew - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewtlambert/Dan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-frezza-56203262/Guest Bios: Matthew T. Lambert - Matthew Lambert leads University Advancement at William & Mary, overseeing all alumni engagement, private fundraising and philanthropic outreach, university marketing and communications, and career development & professional engagement efforts. Under his leadership, William & Mary successfully completed its record-breaking $1 billion For the Bold campaign, strengthening the university's culture and philanthropy. As CEO of the William & Mary Foundation, he stewards more than $1 billion in endowments, ensuring long-term financial support for the university. A William & Mary alumnus, Matthew holds degrees from The Ohio State University (M.A.) and the University of Pennsylvania (Ed.D.). Before returning to W&M in 2013, he held leadership roles in Advancement at Georgetown University. In addition to his work in philanthropy, he is an active scholar in public policy and higher education, authoring Privatization and the Public Good (Harvard Education Press) and co-editing Advancing Higher Education (Rowman & Littlefield). Follow Matthew Lambert on LinkedIn. Dan Frezza - Dan Frezza serves as the Chief Advancement Officer at the College of Charleston, leading the university's development, alumni relations, stewardship, and advancement services. In this role, he is responsible for fostering a strong culture of engagement and philanthropy across the institution. As CEO of the College of Charleston Foundation, he oversees institutional fund management and works to grow the university's endowment. Before joining the College of Charleston in 2023, Dan spent over a decade at William & Mary, where he played a key leadership role in the university's $1 billion For the Bold campaign alongside Matthew Lambert—driving alumni engagement and participation efforts. Prior to that, he led advancement programs at Appalachian State University and East Carolina University. Dan holds a Master's in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor's in Communication with a minor in Business from Western Carolina University. Follow Dan on LinkedIn.  - - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaSeth Odell https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethodell/https://twitter.com/sethodellAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Richard P. Virgin, Vice President for University Advancement at the University of San Diego.Richard dives into the intricacies of leading advancement at a Catholic institution, sharing insights on how mission and identity shape fundraising strategies and donor engagement. Drawing on his tenure at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and other leadership roles, Richard reflects on building high-performing teams and the unique challenges of advancement work in today's world.He also offers his perspective on the evolving expectations of donors, the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration within advancement, and the joys of working in San Diego—a city he proudly calls home.Tune in to hear Richard's thoughts on what it takes to be an authentic and forward-thinking leader in the advancement space!

Gary (or "Coach") is the Vice President for University Advancement at the MSUM Foundation - and, our "Seat Yourself" guest. We talk about plans at MSUM, his meet-cute story with his wife of almost 25 years and his masterpiece. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tune in to this episode to learn about scholarship money available to USF students. Amy Thomas, USF's Assoc. Dir. of Constituent Relations with University Advancement reviews the application process and tips to be successful! Follow the Foundation scholarship office for important information and updates - FB @USFFSO, IG @usf_fso.   and Resources mentioned in the show are: https://www.usf.edu/financial-aid/index.aspx and https://giving.usf.edu/about/scholarships

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Richard P. Virgin, Vice President for University Advancement at the University of San Diego.Richard dives into the intricacies of leading advancement at a Catholic institution, sharing insights on how mission and identity shape fundraising strategies and donor engagement. Drawing on his tenure at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and other leadership roles, Richard reflects on building high-performing teams and the unique challenges of advancement work in today's world.He also offers his perspective on the evolving expectations of donors, the importance of fostering a culture of collaboration within advancement, and the joys of working in San Diego—a city he proudly calls home.Tune in to hear Richard's thoughts on what it takes to be an authentic and forward-thinking leader in the advancement space!

In today's episode of the Elevate Your Career podcast, Nicole is joined by Ashish Regmi, the Chief Information Officer of University Advancement and Alumni Relations at the University of California, Irvine.In this conversation, you'll gain insights on adapting to career transitions that highlight the value of being open to change and new responsibilities. Discover the balance between technical skill development and leadership growth, revealing how both are crucial for success in today's rapidly advancing fields.Ashish shares timeless strategies for career resilience, even in a future marked by uncertainty. You'll learn about the importance of personal branding, continuous learning, and mastering stakeholder relationships, as well as handling the change that new technologies bring.This episode offers wisdom on navigating the intersections of technology, leadership, and life goals.Don't miss another episode of the Elevate Your Career podcast. Leave a review and subscribe today!What You Will Learn In This Show:The importance of leaders laying a vision for their teams to follow. Why Ashish believes that working hard is essential but not sufficient; one must also promote their work and skills. The impact of his work on philanthropic technologies and alumni engagement at UC Irvine.Why saying yes to opportunities and continuously updating technical and leadership skills is vital.And so much more...Resources:Ashish's LinkedInUniversity of California, Irvine - University Advancement & Alumni Relations

Join Dr. Jay and Brad as they interview chiropractor, educator, author, speaker, and certified personal development and executive coach, Dr. Gilles LaMarche. Dr. LaMarche found his calling as a healer when at the age of twelve he was taken to a chiropractor after years spent as an “unwell” child. His only expectation was that a chiropractor might help him resume regular activities without pain; little did he know that one meeting would change the course of his life. His high-volume principled practice was home to more than 750,000 office visits over 25 years. He currently serves as Vice President of University Advancement and Enrollment at Life University, in Marietta, GA.   He has studied the philosophy of success, a hobby that has supported his vision to share the message of health and personal responsibility for over 40 years. He is the author of 17 books and numerous articles focused on health and healing; The ART of Being Healthy series has been read by hundreds of thousands with contributing authors from multiple continents. In addition to his roles as Vice President of University Advancement and Enrollment at Life University, The Australian Spinal Research Foundation Research Review Panel, and appointments to numerous committees and boards in Cobb County, his current projects include the book You were born to Thrive.  Gilles has learned to balance his life, enjoying a successful professional career and a wonderful personal life. His personal philosophy encompasses mind, body and spirit. He believes in the great importance of commitment and responsibility to the world in which we live. He is a husband, a doctor, a teacher, and a friend, and proud Dad to three terrific adults, and “Papa” to three beautiful girls, and two “little men”. His mission is to help all those he meets achieve their potential. Gilles is a little man with a big heart and an open spirit. He has chosen to live his life from a position of “Loving Service – My First Technique”, a way of life he learned from his mentor Dr. James W. Parker. 

103.7 The Buzz

Thanks to our friends and CASE Summit sponsors Washburn & McGoldrick, LLC, we took the conference stage on Monday, July 22 for a live, hour-long episode of Alumless. Check out our conversation with Bonnie Devlin and Carla Willis our colleagues and co-owners and Managing Principals at W&McG, along with special guests: - Amy Yancey, President and CEO of the University of Connecticut Foundation - Matthew Lambert, Senior VP for University Advancement at William & Mary - Josh Harraman, Director of Constituent Experiences- Strategy at The Ohio State University - Sue Cunningham, President and CEO of Council for Advancement and Support of Education (subscribe to the Alumless podcast to hear this special bonus segment!) Thanks to Protopia and Givzey (and Washburn & McGoldrick, of course) for supporting this special show. Learn more about Protopia's AI-powered technology by visiting protopia.co/alumless and Givzey's digital fundraising solutions by visiting https://givzey.com/.

On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Derek Dictson, Vice President for University Advancement at Colorado State University.Derek shares his inspiring journey from the dot-com boom and bust in Seattle to leading major advancement initiatives at top institutions like Texas A&M and Auburn University. He delves into how his experiences in the tech industry have influenced his innovative approach to fundraising and donor engagement.Derek also discusses the unique structure of CSU's advancement model, which integrates presidential events and university ceremonies, and highlights the successful implementation of a new Salesforce-based database. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology and AI to streamline processes and build meaningful donor relationships.When asked about his perspective on the future of advancement, Derek says, "We're just at the tip of the iceberg. The potential for AI to transform our work and make us more efficient is incredibly exciting. It's a brave new world, and we need to stay ahead of the curve."Tune in!

We've got a great Alumless this week. Join us and special guest John Feudo, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at UMass Lowell and author of seven books, including Alumni Relations: A Newcomer's Guide to Success, and I'd Rather Eat Live Spiders: A Definitive Guide to Becoming a Successful Speaker. We chat with John about his career in advancement and discuss his observations on volunteer engagement, communications, and how our field has changed and evolved into what it is today. See the technology everyone is discussing with Protopia's AI-powered solution to scaling engagement. Visit protopia.co/alumless to set up a demo.

Since joining NC State University as Vice Chancellor of University Advancement, Brian Sischo has spearheaded numerous initiatives to strengthen the university's engagement and fundraising efforts. With a rich background in finance and development, Brian's journey began at Clarkson University, where he transferred after community college and continued to excel both academically and athletically.Prior to NC State, Brian held significant roles at Syracuse University, where he contributed to a billion-dollar campaign, and at Clarkson University, where he helped transform the institution's fundraising strategies.Brian's unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on experience has positioned NC State as a leader in higher education advancement. Listen to Brian's inspiring story and insights on the latest episode of The RAISE podcast.

Sergio M. Gonzalez joined Brown University as Senior Vice President for Advancement in 2017. He oversees all advancement areas across the institution, including development, alumni relations, corporate and foundation relations, international advancement, the Brown Sports Foundation, and the Brown Annual Fund. Before landing at Brown, Gonzalez served as Senior Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs at the University of Miami from 2001-2017. He was the architect and leader of two successful fundraising campaigns that together raised more than $3 billion. Prior to joining the University of Miami, Gonzalez served in multiple roles in Miami-Dade County government, including Chief of Staff for the Miami-Dade County Executive Mayor, Director of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, and Executive Director of the South Florida 1999 Super Bowl Host Committee. Gonzalez is chair of the Board of Trustees for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He also chaired the CASE U.S./Canada Regional Council. Gonzalez also chaired an annual CASE conference for Latin American university presidents and advancement practitioners over a number of years, and speaks frequently on the advancement profession to diverse audiences in the US and abroad. Gonzalez has a long history of civic service both in Miami and since coming to Providence. He is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and has served on the Board of Directors of UnidosUS, the largest national Hispanic advocacy and civil rights organization.Other past board service includes Belen Jesuit Prep School in Miami, the Orange Bowl, Breakthrough Miami, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. In Providence, Gonzalez served on the board of the Trinity Repertory Theater and currently serves on the board of the Wheeler School.

Discover how to tap into a whole new level of healing and spirituality no matter your religious beliefs. “When your body is free of interference, your body will heal.” - Dr. Gilles LaMarche Dr. Gilles LaMarche was living his best life – a successful chiropractic practice, healthy, fit, active, and raising his children who became incredible human beings themselves. But in 2003 at age 48, his world was turned inside out when he suddenly began having difficulty breathing while doing simple activities like walking from one side of the room to the other. Doctors soon discovered he had cardiomegaly – an enlarged heart that was continuing to enlarge due to breathing difficulties. He was given 24 months left to live, with the only option being a heart and lung transplant that may give him another five years. Because his lifestyle would be extremely limited after the double transplant, he decided to come to terms with the terminal diagnosis and opt out of the procedure. On May 15, 2004, Dr. Gilles woke up with a revelation. He realized he had been preaching the chiropractic paradigm and its healing power for 25 years to his patients, and began wondering about his own spine and nervous system. This episode will have you leaning in to hear every word of his powerful story about how he discovered what was really going on inside of him – and how his body could heal from chiropractic medicine. As he approaches his 25thyear since his diagnosis, he is preparing to run the 2023 Masters World Championship – the toughest race in all of track and field. About Today's Guest: Dr. Gilles LaMarche is a natural-born leader and one of the greats within the chiropractic world. He is the Vice President of University Advancement and Enrollment, but has also dedicated his life to helping over 750,000 people as a chiropractor over 25 years in Northern Ontario, Canada. He has spoken to audiences throughout Canada, United States, Mexico, Japa, Scandinavia, Australia, Europe, and the Caribbean. He is the co-author of more than nine books including Say Yes to Chiropractic Success and the Parker System for Professional Success. He was named Canadian Chiropractor of the Year in 2006 by readers of Canadian Chiropractic Magazine, and has been sharing his story around the world about the healing power of the nervous system in our body. Mentioned in the Episode: Parker's Principles Gilles LaMarche LinkedIn Diversity Woman Media Conferences Life University

On this edition of Alumless, we're featuring special guest Cheryl Harrelson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni, Annual Giving, & Pipeline Development. We asked Cheryl about her remarkable tenure at UCSD, leading a unique combined engagement model that includes career services. We also chat with Cheryl about what she thinks about the transition to Vice President of University Advancement at Georgia State University beginning May 1. We spend time with Cheryl on DEIB and why the "B" for belonging has been a north star while developing accessible engagement programs at UC San Diego. Thanks to Protopia for supporting the show! Visit protopia.co/alumless to learn more about their AI-powered technology.

Edgar Gonzalez is an experienced and proven leader, team-builder, and collaborator with almost 20 years of experience in higher education advancement and program development. He currently serves as Vice President of University Advancement at Seattle University. Prior to joining Seattle University, Edgar held leadership roles at Oregon Health and Science University, the University of Washington, and the Alliance for Education. A native of Argentina, Edgar and his family emigrated to the US when he was 9 years old in pursuit of the American dream. After earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Washington, he has dedicated his entire career to working in higher education and ensuring that everyone has access. Edgar is passionate about the positive impact philanthropy can have on the institutions, communities, and individuals he is fortunate to serve. His career has always been focused on building institutional capacity through cultivating deep relationships, transformative philanthropy, leadership development and impactful storytelling.

@1QLeadership Question: How does donor feedback and creativity fit in fundraising? We asked Alvin Hines II, Sr. Associate Athletics Director at FAU, about athletics fundraising. The key topics covered were how his personality fits within the specific niche of athletic development, what is the process of fundraising in an athletics department, and how much input do donors (and potential donors) have in how funds should be used. Personality is a big factor in fundraising Season ticket holders are a starting point Many big ideas come from donors Donors will most likely support their own ideas Hines notes that one of the biggest jobs of a fundraiser is to leverage your current assets, whether that be under utilized space to events that already exist. - One Question Leadership Podcast - Tai M. Brown  

About Jake Logan:As the vice president for Institutional Advancement at UTEP, Jake Logan leads the dedicated teams in the areas of development, advancement services, and alumni engagement.He has more than 20 years of experience in non-profit fundraising, with more than 15 of those in higher education. Most recently, he served as president of the Ball State University Foundation and vice president for University Advancement, where he provided strategy and guidance for development, advancement services, alumni engagement, and the BSU Foundation, including managing the institution's endowment.Jake also served as assistant vice chancellor for University Programs at the University of Missouri, where he managed most of the university's central fundraising functions, as well as the endowments team.Other previous roles included executive director of development at the University of Oregon School of Law, and work as a development officer for his alma mater, the University of Florida, in the College of Agriculture and the College of Engineering.Jake began his career in philanthropy with the American Heart Association, earning national recognition for his pioneering work in online fundraising strategies. He ultimately became vice president for Field Development before leaving for academic advancement.He holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida and a Master of Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon.Since arriving at UTEP in May of 2020, he has made his home here in El Paso with his wife Sheena, their two children, Mills and Maisie, and their three dogs. Jake also has an older son named Max, a computer scientist who lives in the Austin, TX area.About Annie Quade: Following almost a decade in higher education advancement and a variety of roles that span the engagement pipeline, Annie Quade serves as the Assistant Vice President of Advancement Strategy, Talent & Culture at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).Overseeing their integrated engagement team, talent, and people operations, Annie is responsible for enterprise engagement and the overall growth strategy for the division.Annie graduated from the University of Missouri, where she received a bachelor's degree in biology and a master's in public health. Prior to joining UTEP, she worked in frontline fundraising for her alma mater, first as a regional and planned giving officer and then as director for the School of Law.When she's not working, you can find Annie chasing after her two toddlers, tending to their hobby farm, or (hopefully) catching a few moments of quiet and calm with her husband, John.

Joe Manok is the Vice President for University Advancement at Clark University where he provides executive leadership to all aspects of fundraising, corporate and foundation relations, and alumni engagement.Prior to joining Clark, Joe held senior-level positions for eight years in the Office of Resource Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as part of the MIT's $6.2 billion Campaign for a Better World. Most recently serving as senior director of philanthropic partnerships. Before joining MIT, Joe worked between 2003 and 2014 at the Office of Development of the American University of Beirut (AUB). He served as associate director of development for major gifts and advancement services in New York, and as the assistant director for development services in Beirut.Joe earned his Bachelor of Science in computer science from AUB and is working toward his Master of Science in nonprofit management from Northeastern University. He is a certified fundraising executive through CFRE International and completed an executive certification in strategy and innovation at MIT's Sloan School of Management. He sits on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in Massachusetts and has been recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) with the Rising Star Award for his consistently high level of professional achievement and commitment to the advancement profession.

We're psyched to bring you a great Alumless as we kick off 2024. We chat with special guest Scott Mory, Vice President for University Advancement at Carnegie Mellon University and discuss how Scott's background leading alumni engagement teams informs his approach at Carnegie Mellon. We also chat about the field's progress in measuring alumni engagement and assessing ROI. Thanks to Protopia for being our presenting sponsor. Visit protopia.co/alumless to learn more about their AI-based technology designed to scale engagement and activate more volunteers.

In this episode, Dr. Amanda R. Martinez, the founder of DMP, interviews Tiffany Waddell Tate, the associate director for national engagement in the Office of University Advancement at Wake Forest University. They discuss the topic of dealing with microaggressions in the workplace and provide strategies and recommendations for young people, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, to navigate professional environments effectively. Tiffany shares her experience in the academic advising space, where she supports students with various challenges, including overload and referral to campus support resources. She emphasizes her non-linear career path, which involves working different types of jobs and encourages listeners to think beyond traditional notions of career development. Drawing from her own journey, Tiffany urges individuals to speak up and talk about racial equity issues. She emphasizes the importance of moving past silence and being comfortable discussing these matters. By changing perspectives and encouraging participation in broader conversations, Tiffany helps people understand that they are not alone in facing different forms of workplace discrimination.

Maria Kuntz is the Communications Director at University of Colorado Boulder. We talk about the Coach Prime effect and how it has overtaken the campus. How they have ridden the wave to amplify their marketing efforts, and other strategies she has learned over the years. Connect with Maria Kuntz on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariakuntz/

Telly McGaha is the Interim President of the Georgia State University Foundation and the Co-Interim VP for University Advancement. In this role, he is responsible for leading the fundraising and engagement operations for the University and working directly with the President and Foundation Board of Trustees as the institution's Chief Development Officer.Prior to this interim appointment, Telly served as the Associate VP for University Advancement, working with a team of nearly 20 major gifts officers to raise funds for eight different GSU colleges and schools. Telly joined GSU in 2017 as the lead fundraiser of the Honors College, before being promoted to the Associate VP for University Advancement in 2020. Previously, Telly worked as the Senior Director of Development for the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He has amassed over 20 years of experience in securing significant philanthropic support for various organizations in Washington DC, Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.Telly joined Georgia State University in 2018 to oversee the philanthropic outreach and support of the Honors College. Previously, Telly worked as the Senior Director of Development for the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He has amassed over 20 years experience in securing significant philanthropic support for various organizations and institutions, such as Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Services and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, among others.Telly is a native Kentuckian and has lived in Baltimore; Cincinnati; Montpellier, France; and Washington, DC. He enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling.

This weeks episode explores what is looks like to work for a younger institution and realize exciting potential, the way that our guest combined a variety of skills for his current role, and the critical aspect of leadership along the way. Brandon Baker is the associate senior vice president for University Advancement at the University of Southern California (USC) where he works across campus on principal and transformational gift opportunities. Baker has experience in launching and leading campaigns and prior to joining USC, Brandon spearheaded the $400 million Tomorrow Demands Today Campaign at the RAND Corporation. Baker previously served as assistant dean of external affairs at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering. He and his team were responsible for a $250 million goal as part of the school's campaign, a component of UCLA's $4.2 billion effort. He has more than sixteen years of experience in both public and private higher education institutions. He also served as a development director at Villanova University and Columbia University Graduate Business School. Baker holds an M.A. in higher education administration from New York University and a B.S. in biology from The University of Tennessee Southern. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/devdebrief/support

Although higher ed as a whole believes in the importance of freedom of speech, very few agree on what the free exchange of ideas looks like and how it should function on campus. But with the current hostile political and social climate, it's now more important than ever for higher ed to unite on what truly matters—protecting respectful and productive speech that leads to a better and kinder society.   In his latest podcast episode, Dr. Drumm McNaughton speaks with President Eric Hogue of Colorado Christian University on the topic of free speech in higher ed. Eric shares how students must approach disagreements to create a more forward-thinking society and, most significantly, how faculty, staff, and students should conduct themselves in public and in the classroom to elicit more mature behavior.   Podcast Highlights   Free speech is a constitutional right that's an essential function of a democratic society. Free speech allows individuals to express their opinions, thoughts, and ideas without fear of censorship or persecution. A complete college education dives into understanding this right. Such an education also empowers students not to be swayed by the ideologies of the moment but to compare new ideas against centuries of accrued knowledge.   The free exchange of ideas works best when exercised with respect, maturity, positive behavior, and decorum. But society has lost respect for each other and the ability to agree to disagree.   Higher ed needs students to look at disagreements from the mind perspective—how we think about issues—and combine it with their heart perspective. This allows students to see arguments from other people's views. Higher ed needs students, faculty, and staff to build resilience by realizing they are not a victim in every situation, everything isn't a crime, disagreements don't impinge on rights or freedoms, and if someone is different from them, that doesn't make them evil people who must be silenced. Higher ed must always be in pursuit of truth, even though it might be categorized as “my” truth or “your” truth.   Colorado Christian University employs co-teaching practices where faculty with opposing views debate each other on topics in front of students. The students are more attentive and engaged when this happens. CCU also has a moot court, and the practicum is to learn how to create an argument. Sometimes, the assignment is to create an argument from a different perspective. Students learn that they disagree with topics, not the people they debate and that if somebody doesn't wholly agree with them, they're not evil or don't need to be silenced.   Read the transcript →   About Our Podcast Guest Eric Hogue was named president of Colorado Christian University by the Board of Trustees in March 2023 and took office in June 2023. Hogue previously served as vice president of University Advancement for CCU. Hogue has a strong affinity for Christian higher education, having earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Jessup University. He brings a deep knowledge of CCU to his new role. Since 2018, Hogue has served as vice president of University Advancement, directing a comprehensive fundraising program totaling more than $45 million, including $33.5 million for the Armstrong Center Campaign. He launched a $44 million Science Center Campaign, established the CCU Endowment Foundation to prioritize the rapid and sustained growth of future resources for the University, and birthed the CCU Fund and Hope Fund, which will raise $1.5 million annually for student scholarships. Before joining CCU, Hogue served for six years as the chief development officer of Jessup University, where he tripled JU's endowment fund and navigated two successful campus capital development campaigns. Hogue is known for his roles as a former political candidate; practicing theologian and pastor; and long-tenured radio, television, and media professional. He is the author of The Winning Side of the Ask: The Heart and Skills of the Donor-Centric Professional Fundraiser, a book dedicated to helping nonprofits design a thriving philanthropic culture.   About the Host Dr. Drumm McNaughton, host of Changing Higher Ed®, is a consultant to higher ed institutions in governance, accreditation, strategy and change, and mergers. To learn more about his services and other thought leadership pieces, visit his firm's website: https://changinghighered.com/.   The Change Leader's Social Media Links LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdrumm/ Twitter: @thechangeldr Email: podcast@changinghighered.com   #FreeSpeech #HigherEducation #HigherEdPodcast

Earlier this summer, the K-State Alumni Association board of directors named Adam Walker, Ed.D., '04, '09 as the Association's next president and CEO. Walker began his duties on July 24. In this role, Walker is responsible for the overall management and strategic planning of the Alumni Association. Walker is the staff liaison for the Association's board of directors and serves as secretary of the board. Additionally, he is a part of the Association's fundraising team. Prior to returning to his alma mater, the former K-State track athlete served as executive associate athletic director for administration at the University of Memphis. In this role he provides leadership, oversight, and management to various units within the Memphis Athletic Department, working in all phases of departmental management including communications with coaches, administration, Name, Image and Likeness, game and personnel contracts, corporate sponsorships, scheduling, budget, capital projects and policy and strategic planning, and he manages and directs all external units. He also is the sport administrator for the nationally ranked and prominent Memphis men's basketball program and men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. Additionally, Walker serves as the department's liaison to University Advancement and the University of Memphis Alumni Association while working collectively on external engagement for Memphis Athletics. Walker also previously worked as associate athletic director for development at the University of Central Florida. During his tenure, he fundraised several six- and seven-figure gifts for athletics. Walker and his wife, Rebecca, have two daughters, Addison Kay and Landree Adele. Rebecca, also a K-Stater, earned a bachelor's degree in public relations in 2008.   *** Tim Fitzgerald is a sports journalist who writes, does TV, radio, daily YouTube videos, and is a long-time podcaster. He has served as publisher of GoPowercat.com, a website that focuses on Kansas State sports, for 25 years. Fitz also has metastatic stage four prostate cancer, so during the initial stages of the pandemic, his doctors advised him to stay home and lay low. Now, after a brief period of remission, Fitz is back in the fight for his life, but this podcast lives on. Welcome to his life and the Life of Fitz podcast. Sign up for GoPowercat VIP access and get your first month for just $1! Want the latest Kansas State headlines sent to your inbox? Click to sign up for GoPowercat's daily newsletter!  Make sure you subscribe to Life of Fitz at your favorite podcast provider, including Apple, Spotify or Amazon. Follow @LifeofFitz To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's YOUR time to #EdUp In this episode, recorded LIVE from ⁠⁠⁠⁠the Anthology Together 2023 #AT23 Conference in Nashville, Tennessee! YOUR guest is Camille Tisdel, Director of Web Services at Syracuse University, Advancement & External Affairs YOUR host is ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen in to #EdUp! Thank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp! Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Elvin Freytes⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dr. Joe Sallustio⁠⁠⁠⁠ ● Join YOUR EdUp community at ⁠⁠⁠⁠The EdUp Experience⁠⁠⁠⁠! We make education YOUR business! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/edup/message

215: The Talent Magnet: How to Attract Nonprofit Leaders (Reid Ricciardi)SUMMARYHow can you create a culture and strategy that motivates and empowers your team, while also aligning with your mission and vision? In episode #215 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, we talk with talent management expert Reid Ricciardi about building the kind of team necessary to achieve your mission. Reid shares how to attract, retain, and develop talent in a competitive and changing nonprofit sector. Learn some tips and best practices to foster a positive and productive work environment for your staff. Understanding the importance of excellent internal and external communication could be the key to building success.  ABOUT REIDAs Executive Director of Talent Management, Reid is responsible for the development and implementation of a strategic talent management program for the University Advancement division and its partner colleges and units at NC State. He works closely with senior managers to identify and attract top-level talent, improve on-boarding and training experiences, and support job performance and retention through targeted professional development and career planning. Reid draws on over two decades of experience in institutional advancement. From 2012 – 2017 Reid served as Executive Director of Development for the College of Education. Prior to NC State, Reid spent four years as Director of Development at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and 9 years at Purdue University in a variety of major gift, annual giving and stewardship program roles. Currently he serves on the Boards for Triangle AFP and Delta Upsilon Educational Foundation. Reid has a B.S. from Purdue University and an M.A. from Duke University.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESForget the Alamo: The Rise and Fall of an American Myth by Chris Tomlinson et al.Learn more about Reid hereTake our Podcast Survey and let us know what you want to hear!Check out Patton's new book Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership: Seven Keys to Advancing Your Career in the Philanthropic Sector

Brian T. Hervey serves as the vice chancellor for University Advancement and Alumni Relations and the president of the UCI Foundation at the University of California, Irvine. He provides leadership over all aspects of the university's fundraising programs, alumni relations and development initiatives. Before his appointment as vice chancellor, Brian served as associate vice chancellor for UCI Health Advancement.Prior to joining UCI, Brian led successful multimillion dollar fundraising campaigns at Scott & White Healthcare Foundation as its vice president for philanthropy and communications. In this role, he supervised staff in the areas of major gift development, communications and planned giving for the Baylor Scott & White Health Central Division, which included 14 hospitals and over 65 clinics in central Texas. Previously, he was director of institutional advancement at Texas A&M Health Science Center (HSC) College of Medicine.Brian holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Texas A&M University. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and a Certified Gift Planning Professional (CGPP). Additionally, Brian served as the chair for development on the institutional advancement steering committee for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and has presented at conferences on advancement topics for the AAMC, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) and Council for Advancement and Support of Higher Education (CASE).

In this episode of the Impostor Syndrome Files, we talk about the unfortunate prevalence of inappropriate behavior in the workplace. When this happens to us, we're often blindsided and unprepared for how to best respond. It can lead us to doubt ourselves and second-guess our own behavior. And even our organizations may not be prepared to adequately address the problem. My guests this week, Wesley Ellison Stewart and Jamie Hays Szelc, founders of JWS Empowerment Solutions, share their personal stories of sexual harassment in the workplace and how their experiences led them to start a consulting business focused on empowering individuals and organizations to more effectively address inappropriate behavior in higher education fundraising and beyond. About My GuestsWesley Ellison StewartWesley E. Stewart is the Associate Vice President for Major Giving & Athletics Advancement at Boston College. In her tenure, she has led the regional, parent, and athletics advancement teams to breakout years, envisioning and executing on complex organizational change that implements best practices and positions BC to be ambitious in its next campaign. Her leadership in this role has had a direct impact on the past three record breaking years at BC. She also serves as the University Advancement liaison to the Office of Student Affairs & Capital Planning. She was promoted into this role from previously serving as Associate Vice President for Major Giving and Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development.Jamie Hays SzelcJamie Hays Szelc is co-founder of JWS Empowerment Solutions, alongside her business partner, Wesley Ellison Stewart.  Jamie also works for PILYTIX, an Austin-based AI Tech company dedicated to implementing technological solutions designed to generate revenue, save time, and reduce costs for universities, and sports & entertainment organizations.  There, Jamie serves as Director of Business Development for their fundraising unit.Jamie has vast development experience and leadership roles in Higher Ed that spans nearly 20 years. Prior to her role at PILYTIX, Jamie served as Associate Athletics Director for Development at the University of Kansas. ~Connect with Wesley & Jamie:Website: www.jwsempowerment.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jws-empowerment-solutions/Twitter: @JWSEmpowerment ~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://yourcareersuccess.com/impostor-syndrome-challenge/ Learn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://yourcareersuccess.com/leading-humans-discussion-group/Join the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6 Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-session Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/ Websites:https://yourcareersuccess.comhttps://impostorsyndromefiles.com

Kimberly Russell, Ed.D, vice president for University Advancement, Texas Woman's University.Russell has served as chancellor of Louisiana State University's Eunice campus for the past three years, following more than two decades of leadership in advancement, foundations, corporate relations and grants for public and private higher education institutions.During her leadership at LSU, enrollment at the Eunice campus grew 29 percent, and degree and certificate programs in high-demand healthcare fields were expanded. She also worked with the LSU Foundation on a comprehensive fundraising campaign to benefit all LSU institutions.“This advancement leadership position is strategically important to TWU's ability to prepare students to achieve their dreams and contribute meaningfully to Texas, and also to leverage our distinctive position as the nation's largest university primarily for women,” said Carine M. Feyten, TWU chancellor and president. Prior to her current position, Russell worked at Tyler Junior College as vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the TJC Foundation, which had a 35-member board of directors. During her 16-year tenure there, TJC completed a historic capital program that expanded the campus by 25 percent, including a new nursing and health sciences center, an energy center and residence hall. In addition, from 2013-2016, CASE consecutively recognized the TJC Foundation's fundraising program for overall fundraising performance and sustained excellence.Before joining TJC in 1999, Russell served as director of foundation and corporate relations at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, where she and her team acquired more than $5 million in successful grant proposals from a number of high-profile foundations. Prior to that, she served as a secondary English teacher (grades 7-9) and as an adjunct professor of English at Kilgore College.“I'm excited to return to pursuing my passion — higher education advancement,” Russell said. “I'm also glad to return to North Texas, after growing up in East Texas, attending the University of Texas at Tyler, and completing both of my graduate degrees at UNT.”

This episode explores the difficult decision many GEM professionals are facing – staying in your role, transitioning to another role in GEM, shifting to other roles in higher education, or leaving the field entirely. The conversation delves into the different job transitions of three prominent women in our field and explores advice for our own career decisions and strategies for retaining our staff. The discussion features Jillian Baer, Solutions Consultant for Liaison International and former GEMer at The Ohio State University; Judy Baker, Research Associate in University Advancement at Niagara University and former GEMer at Nazareth University; and Julie Deland, Director of Administration for the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. This episode of The NAGAP Report was hosted, produced, and edited by Marcus Hanscom. The conversation originally aired live in August 2022 as part of the leadership edition of The Exchange Live, a monthly NAGAP webinar series. 

This episode of Alum-Less features special guest Dori Sonntag, Associate Vice President for Organizational Effectiveness in University Advancement from Gonzaga University. With the NCAA College Basketball Tournament almost upon us, we explore alumni engagement around athletics. The men's and women's basketball program at Gonzaga are both perennial favorites to make the tournament. We'll discuss with Dori how they've developed a playbook for March Madness that gets refined each year. We've got a packed show with these topics and more.

On this episode of the NC State Philanthropy Podcast, we're discussing stewardship with Heather Tart, the senior director of stewardship for NC State's Office of Development Communications and Stewardship. Heather leads the team's efforts to express the university's gratitude to supporters who give of their time, talents and finances to provide for its success. In doing so, she also gets to hear more about what makes NC State so special to generous members of the Pack.  NC State's stewardship opportunities have never been greater, as the university has welcomed thousands of new donors over the last few years through the recent record-breaking Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign (2016-21), the annual NC State Day of Giving event and other philanthropic efforts. Through a variety of initiatives, Heather and her colleagues help ensure that every donor knows they are appreciated and are making a difference for students, faculty, programs, facilities and more. Stewardship is instrumental in furthering NC State's growing culture of philanthropy and engagement and the work of its University Advancement division, which is headed by Vice Chancellor Brian Sischo.   If you'd like to hear even more stories of Wolfpack success, please subscribe to the NC State Philanthropy Podcast today. Be sure to leave a comment and rating as well to let us know how we're doing! Transcript available here.  

Congressman David Scott announced the finalists of the 2022 inaugural Congressional App Challenge in Georgia's 13th District. The first-place finalists will be invited to the House of Code in Washington, D.C., where they will have the opportunity to meet with other coders and program participants from across the country. Additionally, the app will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and on the U.S. House of Representatives' website. The First Place Finalists are Shriya Chakraborti (Chuck-ruh-vorty) and Phillip Abraham of 11th graders at Elite Scholars Academy. Their App Submission was “Wishi.” The app was designed to be a Discord bot that hosts several games and can be played with commands native to the Discord application. Games include Rock-Paper scissors, Riddles, Jokes and Truth or Dare. The app was designed using the programming language Python. According to the team, the app was inspired by online socialization, as they wanted to create a way to meet new people, start conversations and remove potential awkwardness. The Second Place Finalist is Daniel Anyanwoke (Anne-yun-woke)  an 11th grader at South Cobb High School. Daniel's App Submission was “Easy Reader.” The app was designed to be a browser attachment that applies “Dark Mode” to any website and aims to aid online reading. The app was designed using the programming language JavaScript (web). According to the designer, the app was inspired by the amount of time people spent looking at screens during the pandemic and their interest in making online reading easier and more accessible. Wheeler point guard Isaiah Collier was selected as a McDonald's All-American and will compete in the 46th annual high school all-star game March 28 at the Toyota Center in Houston. Collier became the first Cobb County boys player to make the game since McEachern's Sharife Cooper earned the honor three years ago. He is the 13th McDonald's All-American from Cobb County, the ninth boys player and the sixth player from Wheeler, joining EJ Montgomery (2018), Jaylen Brown (2015), Jelan Kendrick (2010), JJ Hickson (2007) and Shareef Abdur-Rahim (1995). Collier, who recently signed with Southern California, is one of two players from Georgia who will play in the game. He will suit up for the West team, while Newton guard Stephon Castle, a Connecticut signee, will play for the East. Collier will be teammates in the McDonald's game with Kentucky signee Reed Sheppard, Stanford signee Andrej Stojakovic (Stoy-yah-kavich) and uncommitted Bronny James — the respective sons of former Kentucky star Jeff Sheppard, former NBA All-Star Peja Stojakovic (Stoy-yah-kavich) and current superstar LeBron James. Collier and Bronny James recently faced off when Wheeler traveled to Los Angeles to play Sierra Canyon in the Chosen-1's Invitational. Collier had 17 points, but James scored 17 of his 22 points in the second half to lead the Trailblazers to a 66-55 victory. More than 11 million new tons of plastic pollute the oceans every year. Local Cobb County REALTOR Janice Overbeck wanted to know what is being done to combat one of the world's most critical environmental issues, so she co-wrote, co-directed and produced the new documentary, "Plastic Earth," hosted by actor/comedian Rob Riggle. Overbeck personally investigated how new inventions and technologies are working to stop plastic debris from overwhelming the planet, killing wildlife and contributing to climate change. The film will be available on iTunes on February 7. For more information, please head to Plastic Earth Movie dot com. When Dr. Luis Torres was working toward his undergraduate degree in his native Puerto Rico, he would have never guessed that a dinner invite would change his path in life. A Life University recruiter invited him to dinner, and then shortly after he attended Life Leadership weekend and decided he wanted to be a chiropractor. Dr. Torres found himself in Marietta on the pathway to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic. After years of hard work and dedication, he graduated in March 2021. Soon after graduation, he got the opportunity from his alma mater to head the newest branch of LIFE Chiropractic Centers in San Juan. The clinic officially opened in the winter of 2022, but a grand opening ceremony was held in October where many from Life U's executive leadership team and Board of Trustees attended and hosted a one-day continuing education event and ribbon cutting. Life U President Dr. Rob Scott, Vice President of University Advancement & Enrollment Dr. Gilles LaMarche, Board of Trustee member and Puerto Rico native Dr. Eddy Diaz and Vice President of Global Initiative Dr. John Downes were just a few of the special speakers and attendees at the grand opening. According to Dr. Torres, plans for the clinic's future include continuing to care for patients in the community and increase patient volume, but also serving as a hub where other Life U alumni in Puerto Rico can gather for continuing education, meet and greets and simply to recharge their passion for the profession with their colleagues to serve a population that is growing more aware of the benefits of chiropractic care. District Attorney Flynn Broady's $1.4 million funding ask to get a new local domestic violence center off the ground was put on hold by Cobb commissioners this week. The pause appeared to stem in part from a communication breakdown, as several commissioners said they were hearing of the request for the first time, while Broady reportedly tried multiple times to discuss it with the board prior to their meeting. The Family Advocacy Center, as the location will be known, was unveiled last month on Fairground Street after years of planning. It's billed as a hub for victims and survivors of domestic violence, where a coalition of community groups and agencies can provide support all under one roof. The center was partially funded with a $400,000 grant from the state, and will be the first of its kind to open in Georgia, according to the DA's office. Broady was set to ask for an additional $650,000 to fund the center through the end of this fiscal year, and another $815,000 for fiscal 2024. About a fourth of that money was for the initial improvements and equipment for the building; about half was for salary for the center's staff. Some commissioners initially balked at the proposal because Broady asked for the money to come from county reserve funds. The county has in the past hesitated to use that money to pay for recurring expenses, like hiring new staff. Broady said he was willing to drop the item for now, that he'd like to for the commissioners to commit to meeting with him in the next few weeks to “get this back on track.” The newly formed Cobb County chapter of a national nonprofit that works to bring people out of poverty has named Barbara Garner of Marietta as its executive director. Circles USA has over 80 locations in the U.S. and Canada. Circles Cobb was established last year by a board of community nonprofit and business leaders. Board Chair Holly Tuchman said when the founding board members discovered Circles USA, they "all decided that this would be a great program to bring to Cobb County." In the later half of 2022, Tuchman said she and Vice Chair Jeri Barr joined the board and moved forward with finding a director who could lead the organization. Tuchman said the board wanted the executive director to be extremely familiar with the community. Garner, who most recently served as the donor services manager for the Cobb Community Foundation, said extensive nonprofit experience and passion for serving others will help her excel in the role. #CobbCounty #Georgia #LocalNews      -            -            -            -            -            The Marietta Daily Journal Podcast is local news for Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, and all of Cobb County.             Subscribe today, so you don't miss an episode! MDJOnline            Register Here for your essential digital news.            https://www.chattahoocheetech.edu/  https://cuofga.org/ https://www.esogrepair.com/ https://www.drakerealty.com/           Find additional episodes of the MDJ Podcast here.             This Podcast was produced and published for the Marietta Daily Journal and MDJ Online by BG Ad Group   For more information be sure to visit https://www.bgpodcastnetwork.com        See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Nolan is associate vice chancellor of University Development and campaign director at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.He graduated TCU and began his professional development career as an annual fund officer in University Advancement during The Next Frontier campaign. After serving two years in the Peace Corps as a non-governmental organization development advisor, David became the associate director of development for the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech. He then served as the director of development for the College of Engineering at North Carolina State, where he led a $250 million campaign as part of a $1 billion university-wide effort. David returned to his alma mater in 2005 to help design and implement The Campaign for TCU, which raised more than $434 million including more than $100 million for scholarships. He currently serves as the director of Lead On: A Campaign for TCU, which aims to raise $1 billion in support of TCU's people, programs, and endowment.He earned the Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and served as a Summer Fellow of Vanderbilt University's Peabody College Institute for Vice Presidents of Institutional Advancement. David was recognized in the 2009 Fort Worth Business Press Forty Under Forty and successfully completed Leadership Fort Worth in 2007.

What are you doing to actually move closer to your ideal leadership role in the nonprofit sector?  In this solo episode #185 of The Path Podcast, I offer seven specific ideas that can help you build your personal strategic plan for the year ahead.1. Declutter  2. Calendar Review 3. Aspirational Job Postings 4. Read A Book 5. Create a Guide List 6. Two Topic Curriculum 7. Coach and be Coached ABOUT PATTONPatton McDowell has enjoyed a successful 30-year career in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development. Prior to founding PMA Nonprofit Leadership in 2009, he served as Vice President for University Advancement at Queens University of Charlotte. Before Queens, Patton served as Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at UNC Wilmington, where he was the youngest vice chancellor in the 16-campus UNC system. He previously served as Program Director for Special Olympics North Carolina in Raleigh, following his tenure with Special Olympics International in Washington, D.C.  Patton is a native of Elizabeth City, NC, and received a bachelor's degree in English Education from UNC Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar. He received his MBA from the McColl School of Business at Queens, and his Doctorate in Education (Organizational Change and Leadership) from the Rossier School at the University of Southern California. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), a Master Trainer for AFP International, and a member of the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations. Patton is a former board President of AFP Charlotte, served as the Chapter Representative on the AFP International Board, and is the host of the weekly podcast Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership and author of the best-selling book also titled Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership. OTHER SOLO EPISODES BY PATTONEpisode #159 4 ways to Advance Your Nonprofit LeadershipEpisode #56 10 Essential Skills & Experiences for Nonprofit LeadershipEpisode #78 5 Ways to Build Your Professional Development PlanEpisode #13 Build A Personal Strategic Plan that WorksAre you ready for a Mastermind? Get your copy of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership

On this episode of Alum-Less, Chris and Ryan chat with Matthew Lambert, Vice President for University Advancement, about William & Mary's recent decision to realign career services underneath advancement. They discuss with Matthew how this alignment reflects a crucial element to increasing alumni participation in the future. Listen and hear from Matthew on how William & Mary developed their #1 ranked programs for alumni participation and student internships. Join us for a lively discussion on these topics and more.

Jean Kramer Crosby joined Ball State University in 2011. She became President of the Ball State University Foundation and Vice President of University Advancement in 2020, with the Foundation's 35-member board and 75 employees who are responsible for fundraising, alumni relations, donor relations, and stewardship of the Foundation's $300 million in assets.Previously, Jean had been the Foundation's vice president for strategy, engagement, and communications. In that role, she was responsible for developing strategies, building relationships, and instilling a culture of philanthropy among Ball State University students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the University. She also has overseen alumni engagement, annual giving, donor relations, marketing, communications, advancement services, prospect research, and alumni center operations.A Ball State graduate, Jean also served as director of donor relations and special projects for Ball State's Office of Development and as interim associate vice president for development. She was also a development officer for the Community Foundation for Muncie and Delaware County Inc. and international training manager and fund development supervisor for Rotary International.

Scott Mory is Carnegie Mellon University's vice president for University Advancement. He is responsible for overseeing the university's overall advancement efforts and for building partnerships with all of CMU's philanthropic and volunteer communities, including university alumni, parents and friends; charitable foundations; and corporate donors. Appointed in 2015, Mory works closely with administrative and academic leadership to develop advancement plans and resources to fulfill the university's potential and support its continued ascent. Under his leadership, in October 2019 the university launched its most ambitious philanthropic campaign to date — Make Possible: The Campaign for Carnegie Mellon University. Thus far, more than 56,000 supporters have supported the campaign, committing $1.9 billion of its $2 billion goal. Among the impacts these supporters have had include the creation of 50 new endowed faculty chairs, including 4 endowed deanships; more than 300 new endowed scholarships and fellowships; and new world-class facilities like the Tepper Quad and ANSYS Hall, as well as new planned facilities for science and for health, wellness and athletics.Mory was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in July 2022. In the Pittsburgh community, Mory is a member of the Andy Warhol Museum Advisory Board and the AHN Cancer Institute Advisory Council. Prior to joining CMU, Mory served as associate senior vice president and campaign director at the University of Southern California, managing the day-to-day activities of the Campaign for USC, a historic effort to raise $6 billion. He joined USC in 2007 as associate senior vice president for Alumni Relations, a position he held until his promotion to campaign director in 2012. Prior to USC, Mory served as assistant vice president for Alumni Relations and Annual Giving at George Washington University. He also was an adjunct professor in the university's law school, teaching a first-year course on legal research, writing and oral advocacy. Scott holds a bachelor's degree from the George Washington University and a juris doctor from the George Washington University Law School. Following law school, he clerked for the Hon. John Garrett Penn of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and practiced as a litigation associate at the New York office of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.

Leadership never resonates for women, more so, for women of color because it wasn't built for us. However, it is long overdue for us to start recognizing the innate leadership traits we all have and flexing that muscle in all the space. My guest today has done extensive work on women and leadership development and how we can overcome the limitations when it comes to taking the lead professionally. About Dr. McKiever Dr. Shinika McKiever is a leader, an innovative and intellectual thinker, she is a dreamer and doer, as well as a believer of the power of positivity and leading from within. Dr. McKiever is the Chief Creative Officer of The McKiever Group Creative Company. Her consulting firm provides clients with purpose-driven and creative strategies that encompass business and entrepreneurial solutions, nonprofit management planning, and talent and personal brand development. Additionally, Dr. Shinika currently works as the Director of Foundation Relations in the Division of University Advancement at her alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to joining UNC-Greensboro, Shinika worked as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at NC A&T State University. Shinika received a B. A. in Political Science and minor in African- American studies from the University of North Carolina—Greensboro and a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University. She received her doctorate in Leadership Studies from NC A&T State University.  Shinika's past recognitions include: 2018 NC Central University 40 Under 40 Alumni Award, 2018 Triad Business Journal 40 Leaders Under 40, Leadership Winston-Salem Class of 2017, 2016 Triad Business Journal's Outstanding Women in Business, 2016 Wells Fargo Piedmont Triad Chapter Volunteer of the Year, and 2015 Winston under 40 Leadership Award. She has volunteered with numerous local nonprofit organizations and served on the boards of several community nonprofits. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Shinika enjoys spending time with her family and fur baby, writing, traveling, photography, crafting, and baking. She feels that it is important to give back, so she is also passionate about entrepreneurship, leadership, mentoring, coaching, and helping others develop their ideas and reach their potential. About the Show: Stories are powerful! Especially the ones we tell ourselves. Higher than This is a snack size podcast that challenges the deeply rooted narratives and limited beliefs that hold back high achieving women and continue to hinder their progress in vibrating higher in their careers and life!  About the Host: Twanna Toliver is an action-inducing and results-igniting Creative Business Coach. She is dedicated in providing ambitious women currently in corporate careers with the foundational tools to turn their creativity into a profitable business. Known for her straight-up coaching style, Twanna pushes women to breakthrough their self-limiting beliefs and shows them how to step into their seemingly impossible dreams.  Twanna proudly stands as the quintessential accountability partner for women ready to level up their income, dive into entrepreneurism and monetize their creativity. Change the narrative to vibrate higher! Higher than This. Learn More: https://www.twannatoliver.com/ Speaking & Advertising Inquiries community@twannatoliver.com Hang out with me on social media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twannatoliver/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToliverCreativeGroup

“When your body is free of interference, your body will heal.” - Dr. Gilles LaMarche Dr. Gilles LaMarche was living his best life – a successful chiropractic practice, healthy, fit, active, and raising his children who became incredible human beings themselves. But in 2003 at age 48, his world was turned inside out when he suddenly began having difficulty breathing while doing simple activities like walking from one side of the room to the other. Doctors soon discovered he had cardiomegaly – an enlarged heart that was continuing to enlarge due to breathing difficulties. He was given 24 months left to live, with the only option being a heart and lung transplant that may give him another five years. Because his lifestyle would be extremely limited after the double transplant, he decided to come to terms with the terminal diagnosis and opt out of the procedure. On May 15, 2004, Dr. Gilles woke up with a revelation. He realized he had been preaching the chiropractic paradigm and its healing power for 25 years to his patients, and began wondering about his own spine and nervous system. This episode will have you leaning in to hear every word of his powerful story about how he discovered what was really going on inside of him – and how his body could heal from chiropractic medicine. As he approaches his 25th year since his diagnosis, he is preparing to run the 2023 Masters World Championship – the toughest race in all of track and field. About Today's Guest: Dr. Gilles LaMarche is a natural-born leader and one of the greats within the chiropractic world. He is the Vice President of University Advancement and Enrollment, but has also dedicated his life to helping over 750,000 people as a chiropractor over 25 years in Northern Ontario, Canada. He has spoken to audiences throughout Canada, United States, Mexico, Japa, Scandinavia, Australia, Europe, and the Caribbean. He is the co-author of more than nine books including Say Yes to Chiropractic Success and the Parker System for Professional Success. He was named Canadian Chiropractor of the Year in 2006 by readers of Canadian Chiropractic Magazine, and has been sharing his story around the world about the healing power of the nervous system in our body. Mentioned in the Episode: Parker's Principles Gilles LaMarche LinkedIn Diversity Woman Media Conferences Life University

Rodney M. Grabowski is Vice President for University Advancement at the University at Buffalo (UB), a position he assumed in December 2017.Rod has more than 30 years working in higher education advancement, and he is passionate about raising funds to supporting education.Prior to beginning his tenure at UB, Rod was the President of the University of Cincinnati Foundation, as well as Vice President of Advancement at the university and President and CEO of the UC Health Foundation. He has held similar leadership advancement positions at the University of South Florida and the University of North Florida. His fundraising career began at Alfred University in Upstate NY.Rod is a native of Phoenix, N.Y. He holds an MBA from the University of North Florida and a BA in international relations from Syracuse University.

159:  4 Ways to Advance Your Nonprofit Leadership This Year (Patton McDowell)SUMMARYWhat are you doing to actually move closer to your leadership goals in the nonprofit sector?  Are you thankful for your current nonprofit leadership role? In this solo episode #159 of the Path Podcast, I offer four specific ways you can move closer to your nonprofit leadership goals.1. Sharpen your Vision Framework2. Practice Self-Assessment3. Utilize Strategic Networking4. Curate Knowledge ABOUT PATTONPatton McDowell has enjoyed a successful 30-year career in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and organizational development. Prior to founding PMA Consulting in 2009, he served as Vice President for University Advancement at Queens University of Charlotte where he was responsible for all fundraising, communications, and alumni programs for the university.  Before Queens, Patton served as Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at UNC Wilmington, where he was the youngest vice chancellor in the 16-campus UNC system. He previously served as Program Director for Special Olympics North Carolina in Raleigh, following his tenure with Special Olympics International in Washington, D.C.  Patton is a native of Elizabeth City, NC, and received a bachelor's degree in English Education from UNC Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar. He received his MBA from the McColl School of Business at Queens, and his Doctorate in Education (Organizational Change and Leadership) from the Rossier School at the University of Southern California. He is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), a Master Trainer for AFP International, and a member of the William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations. Patton is a former board President of AFP Charlotte, served as the Chapter Representative on the AFP International Board, and is the host of the weekly podcast Your Path to Nonprofit Leadershipand author of the best-selling book also titled Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership. OTHER SOLO EPISODES BY PATTONEpisode #56 10 Essential Skills & Experiences for Nonprofit LeadershipEpisode #78 5 Ways to Build Your Professional Development PlanEpisode #13 Build A Personal Strategic Plan that WorksAre you ready for a Mastermind?

Do you have any experience with either MSU or the state of Michigan?“Growing up on the north shores of Lake Superior, I would drive through the great state of Michigan many times on the way to my grandmother's house in Sarnia, Ontario on the other side of the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. And my first college football game was in Spartan Stadium in 1992. My dad was a huge Spartans fan. He brought the whole family down, and I was just shell shocked on what a great experience it was to see all the people and Spartans fans; that just blew me away. And then a few years later, my second game was here, and it was 10/10/1998. I was with my fiancé at the time, who is now my husband of 23 years. It was Michigan State versus Indiana. The game went into overtime and Michigan State won. It was very exciting and very loud and just a lot of energy and excitement. That left an impression on me.”What's your background?“I've just come off 7,060 days at Colorado State. I've been working and living in Colorado for the last 19 years and four months. And it's been a wonderful journey. I've done many different things working at Colorado State University advancing from working in two different colleges to working centrally and ultimately becoming the vice president of Advancement. Prior to that, I worked at two Canadian universities, and that's where I got my fundraising start. And before that, I worked in the arts; my undergraduate degree is in arts management. The beginning of my career was working with the Toronto International Film Festival and the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum.”What got you interested in higher education fundraising originally? And why do you love the work?“My background is in arts management. Revenue generation is of utmost importance in the arts. That was interesting to learn about, but I really started working in cultural programming on campus at my alma mater, the University of Toronto. And then I was recruited by the executive director of development. At the time, the university was in a billion-dollar campaign. And they asked me if I'd join the team and the Great Minds for a Great Future Campaign. My boss assured me he'd teach me everything he knew about advancement and development. And then two weeks later, he promptly quit and went back to the private sector. So, it was a sink or swim moment. And I've always been a swimmer, Russ. So, I dove into the deep end and swam and have continued that career. Passion and leadership have been predisposed in me almost from birth. I've had great sponsors and mentors along the way who have helped me learn and grow, and now it culminates in this great experience at Michigan State and being a Spartan.”What attracted you to MSU at this time to lead Advancement here?“You mean beyond Sparty? I love Sparty! What a great mascot program. I was attracted to the caliber of the programs, research, creativity, artistry, and AAU status at MSU. I think Michigan State has it all. Obviously, the athletics program and being a part of the Big Ten is exciting. I love the land grant mission. That speaks to me and my family and my values. I think I can parlay some of those experiences and that real commitment and passion to the land grant institution and mission that I was introduced to in Colorado at Michigan State, being the original land grant. I really feel privileged to be here as part of that history.”What's the mission of University Advancement?“We work to advance the institution by connecting alumni and donors to the institution, whether it be through time, talent, treasure, or testimony. We work with folks to keep them connected and engaged in the great work happening at MSU to advance the mission, whether it's alumni, parents, grandparents, or community members. It's the difference between good and great. And at MSU the mission is defined as advancing MSU's excellence and enriching its future. Who doesn't want to be part of that?”Why is raising private dollars so important for maintaining and expanding MSU's excellence and impact?“I just mentioned that private dollars are the difference makers between good and great. This is a fine institution where just being good wouldn't allow us to realize our full potential. Philanthropy allows us to endow funds for students and to attract the brightest minds to the campus, whether it's faculty, students, or facilities - all those aspects that really allow us to reach those heights of excellence and create a margin of excellence for an institution.”How have advancement activities evolved over the years?“The real change I've seen over the years is the focus on donor relations and stewardship. And I feel strongly about that. There's a moral and ethical imperative to engage our alumni and donors and to have a level of accountability and transparency in what we do at the institution in what we are doing with their funding. For a lot of people, once they make a gift, that's when the relationship really starts. Previously, there wasn't as much attention given post gift. And that's really important. We really owe that to our contributors, our investors, and the people who believe in us.“Additionally, women have always been engaged in philanthropy, but a lot of times in the past it was more behind the scenes. There's a real movement to see women in philanthropy engage outwardly in the whole process. And as institutions, we're thinking about how we engage women and families in different ways. And I'm really excited to know that there's a Women in Philanthropy program here at Michigan State. MSU is ahead of the curve on that. I also think technology, automation, data management, privacy and topics like diversity, equity, and inclusion are being embraced as a nation.”How would you describe your fundraising philosophy?“I see philanthropy as an opportunity to build authentic relationships based on mutual respect. I once worked with a dean who was a philosopher and he said to his faculty, ‘If you don't respect the person giving you a gift, then you shouldn't accept the gift.' It really is at the heart of things that there must be a mutual interest and values alignment and interest in the work. Philanthropy is an optimistic act. There's a core of optimism in supporting disease eradication or giving somebody an opportunity they wouldn't otherwise have. We need to think about that and remember that people believe in us to make the world a better place and to really inspire them with what we're doing that will change the world in a way that they want to see that aligns with the work we're doing.”What are some of your short and long-term goals for MSU University Advancement?“We have a lot of work to do, and a lot of great work has already happened here. People are ready to move forward. Our next campaign is the big opportunity out there. And how do we align with the university's strategic plan and create a strategic plan for the division that is for the long term? We're building the forever future for Spartans and for this university. There is a lot of planning to do, and I'm excited to get going to ignite what will come after that.”What are challenges and opportunities ahead?“Right now, my biggest challenge is time, Russ. I just need more hours in my day. People want to move quickly; they're ready. But we also need to spend time listening and thinking and reflecting on what has happened before us. In balancing those two things, I think there's a great opportunity as people are able to come back to campus. As we reemerge from the last two years, there's nothing like coming to campus for Homecoming and other events. And yet, we've also learned the upside to offering virtual programming for our alumni and donors who live abroad or nationwide who want to participate. I look forward to working with the team to create a strategy that accomplishes and meets the needs of all people in all different ways to really continue to advance Michigan State University.“What a great opportunity to be here today. I just feel like this is an absolute honor to work in the advancement world. I'm at the nexus between a great institution and wonderful people who care and want to make a difference. I take that as a real honor and privilege and look forward to serving alongside everybody else who's been here before me and all those who will join us along the way. With that, Go Green!”MSU Today airs Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 5 a.m. on WKAR News/Talk and Sundays at 8 p.m. on 760 WJR. Find “MSU Today with Russ White” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.

Andy A. Jhanji joined the Florida State University Foundation in August 2011 as executive vice president, overseeing the Foundation's day-to-day operations and advancement strategy. Andy recently assumed the additional responsibilities of Interim Vice President of University Advancement.Jhanji has worked in public higher education for three decades. Before arriving at FSU, his most recent positions included serving as vice chancellor for university advancement and chief of staff to the chancellor at the University of Colorado Denver and the Anschutz Medical Campus. Prior to that, he served as the special assistant to the chancellor, preceded by holding the position of director, research and technology transfer at the University of Colorado Denver.During Jhanji's time as executive vice president at the FSU Foundation, he has played a key role in the planning and execution of Raise the Torch: The Campaign for Florida State, a $1 billion capital campaign and the most ambitious in University history. He also oversaw the financing and purchase of a new home for the organization, bringing the Foundation closer to campus.In Jhanji's new interim role, he will lead FSU's fundraising, alumni relations, advancement services and real estate activities, overseeing the FSU Alumni Association, FSU Foundation and the FSU Real Estate Foundation.Jhanji earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Project Management degree from Western Carolina University. Jhanji, his wife Jane and son Trent live in Tallahassee.

Heil has a career spanning 45 years across three universities raising critical funds, tirelessly promoting the value of philanthropy and expanding alumni engagement efforts.She came out of retirement in October of 2018, returning to MSU, where she has now spent more than 33 years in advancement. Marti was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan and is a 1976 graduate of MSU's College of Communication Arts and Sciences with a bachelor's degree in advertising. “It has been my absolute pleasure and honor to serve Michigan State University and a privilege to do what I have done for 45 years. And it's been even a greater privilege to have done it at my alma mater.”What originally attracted you to advancement work? What do you love about it? Why do you do what you do?“When I got started in fundraising, it was not something that you sought. You mostly fell into the career. I started in public relations. That's what I always wanted to do. And someone that I worked with said, ‘You'd be good as a fundraiser.' And I thought, ‘Well, how would I ever do that?' And it truly has been my passion, and it has been a privilege to be able to serve in this capacity as a fundraiser for so many years.“I like to refer to it as making magic. It's that goosebump moment when you're bringing together passionate donors and alumni who have a desire to make a difference and to make a positive impact in the life of a university. And they're visionary because they see a need and they have financial resources.“And our job as fundraisers is to be able to match those visionary donors and alumni with visionary faculty who are making a difference through their research. It's matching them with students who will also make a difference in the world and make the world better. And to watch a donor get joy from seeing their financial resources put to good use to make a difference in a student's life or to make a difference in a faculty member's research discovery is magic.”What attracted you back in 2018 when your alma mater needed you and called you back?“It was special to be able to serve MSU for 30 years as I grew my career, and it was special to be able to take that experience and apply it at two other institutions. But to cap off a career by being asked to come back and serve in a leadership role was a dream come true. It felt like more than a duty. It was a respect for the institution and having a sense that I could make positive impact at a time that MSU was going through a lot of changes.”How has advancement work evolved over the years?“Our donors continue to become more and more sophisticated. And that has been an absolute joy to be able to be part of teaching our alumni how important private philanthropy is to an institution, a public institution in particular. I started at Michigan State in 1980. And I think at that time, our entire staff, including gift processing, including our receptionist, including the vice president, our total staff might have been 20 people. And I remember that first year we were raising around $12 million.“I remember we had a champagne toast for our first million-dollar gift. Fast forward and we now have around 320 staff in University Advancement. And we're raising currently $224 million with three months to go (in the fiscal year). That's quite a significant growth. And so, credit to our very devoted alumni and our extraordinarily generous donors. It takes a village. We have an incredibly talented staff. And the university has embraced alumni engagement and fundraising to the point where everyone on campus understands the value, the importance, and the impact that private philanthropy can make.”Why is the private fundraising so important to a place like MSU?“Well, it would appear as though we have a huge budget, and we do have a huge budget. Most of it is earmarked. And so private philanthropy provides that margin of excellence to be able to attract outstanding faculty from across the country because there are endowed chairs affiliated with the positions. Most faculty when they're researching and they're teaching and they're providing service, they are also obligated to raise money to help with the research.“And what often makes the difference in attracting those outstanding faculty and retaining the superstar faculty is having an endowed chair that pays for the margin of excellence so that they don't have to spend time going out and raising funds to do their research. They have a pool from that endowed fund that helps them. And scholarships often make a difference in whether a student can attend school. And that student may become a brilliant doctor or policymaker in government or a social worker or educator who will change the world.”What are some challenges and opportunities ahead for higher education advancement in general and particularly for MSU?“There are always challenges. Part of the challenge for Michigan State is that comparatively speaking our sister institutions in the Big Ten have all been raising money for many years longer than Michigan State has. We didn't start private philanthropy as an active strategic department until the late '60s. And most of the other Big Ten institutions started raising money in the early 1920s or 1930s. We have some catching up to do in educating our alumni about why private philanthropy is so important.“We also were categorized early on in Michigan State's history as being a state-supported institution. And we really are no longer state-supported. We certainly are state-assisted, and we depend heavily on the state of Michigan for much needed funding. But in terms of our total budget, it is more and more imperative that private philanthropy helps make up the difference.”Your successor is Kim Tobin. She will take over as vice president for University Advancement. Obviously, you don't want to tell her what to do, but do you have some advice for Kim as she comes in?“I have had the privilege of meeting with Kim several times since her appointment. She's someone who I am very excited about. It makes a difference when you've put as much time and years and effort into an organization. I have no qualms handing the leadership over to Kim. I think she's going to be terrific. I think the staff is going to respond to her as a leader. I know our alumni and our donors are going to embrace her.“The best piece of advice I would give Kim is to embrace being a Spartan and to be a sponge and learn as much as she can about Michigan State and the culture of Michigan State and our alums. One of the first things we've all tried repeatedly to say to her, and it's become a joke with us, is that when someone says, ‘Go Green,' what do you say back? And she very quickly learned that saying ‘Go White' is the proper response.“So, I'm just so excited about Kim. It's a great opportunity for her. She's bringing 20 years of experience to the table. She's doubling her staff. She's doubling the amount that she's responsible for raising. She'll be able to bring that talent to Michigan State and be able to build upon the foundation that the team and I have put into place and take it to the next level. I will be her biggest cheerleader and the staff's biggest cheerleader.“Once a Spartan, always a Spartan. Being born and raised in Lansing, there was never any question where I was going to go to school, and I'm not going anywhere. I will always be around as a donor. I will always be around as an alum. And whatever I can do to assist in the transition, I'll be there because being a Spartan is very, very special.”MSU Today airs Saturdays at 5 p.m. and Sundays at 5 a.m. on WKAR News/Talk and Sundays at 8 p.m. on 760 WJR. Find “MSU Today with Russ White” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your shows.