Texas A&M-San Antonio hosted the last of four open forums today, Jan. 31, for candidates applying for the position of Vice President for University Advancement.
Bernadine Douglas presented and answered questions 1 to 2:15 p.m. in Vista Room 402 in Central Academic Building. Douglas serves as the Vice President for Alumni and College Relations at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky.
Open forums began Jan. 22. Candidate Javier “Jay” Zambrano spoke on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Zambrano serves as Senior Director of Development at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in Edinburg, TX.
Candidate Wendell Jeffreys followed the next day on Jan. 23. Jeffreys served until 2017 as the Vice President for University Advancement at the University of Texas at Tyler in Tyler, Texas. From 1997-2014 he served Senior Director of Development at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.
Since 2015, candidate Jeanette DeDiemar served as Vice President, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer at the University of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana. DeDiemar visited the university during a forum Jan. 25.
The hire, expected to receive notification from the search committee this month, will replace Dr. Richard Ortega, who was the first to occupy the position when University Advancement expanded in 2016. In an email statement, Ortega said he was vacating the position due to “health issues” and the department “hope[s] to name the new vice president by Feb. 8.”
The VP for University Advancement will serve as a key advisor to the the university president, Cynthia Teniente Matson.
The job prospectus advertises for an experienced candidate with a proven track record in all aspects of fundraising and development, marketing and communications programs, and alumni engagement. The senior leader who steps into the role must have experience managing a complex system of advancement functions and roles. Responsibilities include contributing to the Mays Center for Experiential Learning, organizing alumni events and producing the Growler.
The Office of University Advancement organizes fundraisers, supports marketing and communication for the university, and alumni relations and advancement services.