Vice President, University Advancement
James Madison University
Harrisonburg
What is new and exciting with you now or since your LEAD
VIRGINIA class year?
After graduating 13 years ago, James Madison University
continues to be where I go to work every day. I guess that
makes me a "Failure to launch!" Thankfully, I continue to be offered new and meaningful ways to serve
my alma mater. Since completing from LEAD VIRGINIA in 2009, I took on additional roles for University
Planning and Institutional Research along with my position as Assistant to the President. This was
followed by a chance to work on the Presidential Transition at JMU as the secretary to the presidential
search committee, something that occurs very rarely for at the time we had only five presidents in our
104 year history. This type of continuity is extraordinary in Higher Education and the university has
benefitted from prudent leaders who have governed with a long-term perspective to frame decision
making. A national search yielded our sixth President, Jonathan R. Alger who was just inaugurated in
March. In the midst of the transition, outgoing President Linwood H. Rose afforded me the chance to
serve as the Acting Vice President of University Advancement. After a year in that acting role, President
Alger and the Board of Visitors graciously made my position permanent and that is where I currently
serve today. James Madison has a very people centered culture, it's one of those places that offers
more than just a job, it feels like your life's work.
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