Executive Brief

Assistant Dean of Development, College of Arts and Sciences
American University

American University

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. American University's students distinguish themselves for their service, leadership, and ability to rethink global and domestic challenges and opportunities.

Founded in 1893, the University offers a distinctive academic experience that combines rigorous scholarship with experiential learning opportunities tied directly to the nation’s political, cultural, and international institutions. With a diverse and globally minded community of students, faculty, and alumni, American University is recognized for its strengths in international relations, public affairs, law, business, communications, and the arts, and for preparing graduates to lead with purpose, integrity, and impact in an increasingly complex world.

Nestled in a residential district of Washington, DC, AU's 90-acre campus gives students the advantages of a traditional college setting combined with unparalleled access to the energy, culture, and opportunities of our nation's capital.

American University's Advancement Team

The Advancement team at American University plays a critical role in advancing the institution’s mission through strategic philanthropy, alumni engagement, and partnerships that strengthen the University’s academic and societal impact. The team is responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships with alumni, parents, friends, foundations, and corporate partners, supporting a broad range of priorities including scholarships, faculty excellence, research, student access, and campus initiatives. Known for its collaborative culture, data-informed approach, and strong alignment with University leadership, American University’s Advancement team is deeply committed to fostering a culture of philanthropy that reflects the institution’s values of service, global citizenship, and inclusive excellence.

University Advancement – Leadership Spotlights

Matthew Eynon – Vice President for University Advancement

Matthew Eynon
Vice President for University Advancement

Matthew Eynon joined the American University (AU) senior leadership team as Vice President for University Advancement in June 2025. In his role, Matthew oversees all aspects of AU’s fundraising, advancement communications, and alumni, parent, and constituent engagement. He brings more than three decades of advancement leadership experience to his role.

Prior to AU, Matthew served as Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Office of Resource Development (RD) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he provided leadership for the organization’s day-to-day operating activities, preparation for MIT’s next comprehensive campaign, and overall strategic planning for RD.

Before MIT, Eynon served as vice president for College Advancement at Franklin & Marshall College (F&M), where he led the most successful campaign in F&M history. Prior to F&M, Eynon served as associate vice president for capital giving at Boston College during its successful $1.6 billion campaign; as chief advancement officer for the University of Massachusetts Lowell; and in senior leadership roles for Suffolk University, and for two independent schools. Eynon also spent time in for-profit sales and marketing roles, including as co-founder of The Pyrenees Group, LLC.

A graduate of Dickinson College, Eynon has been an active leader for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), where he currently serves as Chair for CASE’s Global Commission on Advancement Insights & Operations. He served as co-Chair of CASE’s Global Reporting Standards & Management Guidelines Working Group, chair of CASE’s Global Commission on Philanthropy and as a member of the CASE Board of Trustees. Eynon also served as District I Board Chair and received the Carol and Stephen Hebert Award for Distinguished Service from CASE District I. In addition, Eynon serves on the CCS Fundraising Systems & Change Management Advisory Board, a non-profit industry-wide leadership group.

Beyond his professional service, Eynon currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for Greenwich Academy (CT). Eynon has previously served on the Board of Trustees for Wooster School, the Lancaster City Alliance Board of Directors, and on the United States Golf Association’s (USGA) 2015 and 2024 US Women’s Open Tournament Executive Committee.

Elizabeth Harless – Assistant Vice President for University Advancement

Elizabeth Harless
Assistant Vice President for University Advancement

Elizabeth Harless is the Assistant Vice President of Advancement at American University, where she oversees the strategic fundraising operations for the institution’s schools and units. A veteran of higher education advancement with over 20 years of experience, Elizabeth previously served as Associate Dean for Advancement for AU’s College of Arts and Sciences. During her eight-year tenure there, she transformed the College’s philanthropic landscape, raising over $100 million during an historic campaign for American University.

Elizabeth’s career is marked by a track record of navigating complex, high-pressure environments at premier organizations, including Georgetown University, the American Cancer Society, and Children’s National Medical Center. She holds a master’s degree from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University.

Outside of her professional role, Elizabeth is a committed volunteer leader and serves the College of Arts and Sciences Board at West Virginia University. A resident of Alexandria, Virginia, she balances her work at American University with her interests as an avid golfer and her dedication to her family, cherishing time spent with her husband and two daughters.

American University’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan

American University’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, Meet Our Moment, is a pledge to prepare students for career and personal success and to strengthen the institution’s impact on the world. Grounded in three pillars—Readiness, Community, and Curiosity—the plan expands experiential learning and skill development, deepens career preparation, leverages AU’s unique approach to impactful research, and integrates Washington, DC, into every facet of the AU experience.

By 2030, AU will be a premier destination for students seeking real-world experience, in-demand skills, and clear professional pathways. This journey is led by a community that spans our award-winning arboretum campus to learning hubs and research partnerships around the globe. Meet Our Moment catalyzes AU’s strengths into a cohesive, student-centered strategy that connects today’s ambitions with tomorrow’s needs.

American University's College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences at American University is the University’s largest and most academically diverse college, serving as the intellectual core of the institution. The College brings together a broad range of disciplines across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, fostering interdisciplinary scholarship that addresses complex global and societal challenges. With a strong emphasis on research, experiential learning, and public engagement, the College of Arts and Sciences is home to distinguished faculty, innovative programs, and nationally recognized centers that prepare students for meaningful careers, graduate study, and civic leadership. Its faculty and students are deeply engaged in scholarship that reflects American University’s mission of inclusive excellence, global perspective, and impact-driven education.

College of Arts and Sciences – Leadership Spotlight

Linda Aldoory – Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Linda Aldoory
Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Linda Aldoory, PhD, joined American University in July, 2022, after working at the University of Maryland College Park (UMD) for over 20 years. She specializes in health communication, diversity and equity, and public relations. She was Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research, Professor of Communication, and Director of the Center for Humanities Research in the College of Arts and Humanities at UMD. She founded and directed the Center for Health Risk and Communication at the University of Maryland, and served as Endowed Chair and Director of the Herschel S. Horowitz Center for Health Literacy. She is also former editor of one of the leading communication journals, the Journal of Public Relations Research. Aldoory brings to American over ten years of administrative experience and 30 years of professional and academic expertise in the humanities and social sciences. She is a national expert in the development and evaluation of public health campaigns and health literacy programs, and has consulted for federal agencies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and US Department of Agriculture. Her award-winning scholarship addresses social justice and health equity, and also how diversity and inclusion can improve communication professions. Her recent book, The Future of Feminism in Public Relations and Strategic Communication, co-authored with Elizabeth Toth, PhD, won the 2021 PRIDE Outstanding Book Award from the Public Relations Division of the National Communication Association. Her community-based health literacy initiatives have been recognized with the Outstanding Rural Health Program by the Maryland Rural Health Conference, and the Health Literacy Hero Award by the Institute for Healthcare Advancement. Aldoory is president-elect of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. She was an elected member of the Board of Directors for HealthCare Access Maryland and a member of the Maryland State Health Information Exchange Policy Board.

The Opportunity – Assistant Dean of Development, College of Arts and Sciences

AU – Assistant Dean of Development, CAS – Job Description (PDF Download)

Position Summary

Working in and reporting to the University Advancement, the Assistant Dean of Development for the College of Arts and Sciences is the chief major gift fundraiser for the College of Arts and Sciences at American University, the largest of AU’s six schools. The Assistant Dean of Development works on behalf of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, shaping and executing plans for fundraising to meet the financial needs of the Dean’s academic priorities for the College. The Assistant Dean of Development works exclusively in the area of major gift fundraising for the College and participates in the Dean’s senior management team in order to understand fully and discuss implications of academic programs for development. The Assistant Dean of Development plans, implements, and oversees the major gift fundraising program ($10,000 and higher) for the College of Arts and Science with emphasis on gifts of $100,000 to $1,000,000+. The American University Art Museum, Center for Israel Studies, and Katzen Arts Center are each units of the College of Arts and Sciences with specific Development focus.

The Assistant Dean of Development serves as a key member of the Dean’s management team and as an ambassador of the College of Arts and Sciences. The Assistant Dean assists with the development of publications for the College of Arts and Sciences and other programs and special events by the Dean and Vice President of Development. The Assistant Dean supervises the activities of three additional fundraisers (two Directors and one Assistant Director) and a Development Assistant who work in a collaborative, team atmosphere in support of donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, alumni programming, and special events. In coordination with the Dean, the Assistant Dean of Development and College of Arts and Sciences Development team recruit and staff members for the College of Arts and Sciences advisory and volunteer councils, including the Arts Council, Science Council, and Center for Israel Studies Council. The Assistant Dean and College Development team strive to maximum councils’ effectiveness, working closely with the Dean’s office to establish agendas and programs for meetings and communications.

As a specific component of the Assistant Dean of Development’s responsibilities, the Assistant Dean works with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to secure dates and plan for the Dean’s development work, including local and regional constituency events, travel for cultivation and solicitation, correspondence and regular contact with donors.

The Assistant Dean of Development, College of Arts and Sciences reports to the Assistant Vice President, Advancement, with a collaborative dotted line to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Assistant Dean of Development operates under the University’s prospect development system with the expectations of achieving the metrics below through demonstration of a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and refined written and oral communication.

Expectations, Accountabilities and Qualifications

Position Specific Expectations:

Management and strategy development of a pool of 150 assigned, rated, and staged prospects generally rated $100,000-$1,000,000, although some may be rated higher.
Meaningful contact or attempted contact of 100% of the assigned portfolio during any six month period.
Regular maintenance of prospect pipeline (i.e., planned and executed solicitations) to reflect a minimum of 15 major gift solicitations per year.
Varying by stage of cultivation, consistent movement of prospects in assigned portfolio in proscribed timeframe. (As an example, it is expected that prospects will only be in qualification and early cultivation mode for 6 months, regular cultivation for 12 months, and pre-solicitation cultivation and consideration mode for 6 months.)
A minimum of 10 planned, strategic visits per month with many other interactions, meetings, events, and unplanned visits.
Regular updates to contacts, staging, and ratings so that all reports are current for supervision meetings and monthly progress reports.
Work in concert with University Advancement colleagues, including particularly close collaboration with the Leaderships Annual Giving Team, Planned Giving Team, and Office of Prospect Development, to conduct entrepreneurial prospect identification and qualification work equal to approximately 10-20% of all activity. (More if Assistant Dean meets expectations of progress with assigned portfolio).
The Assistant Dean of Development’s financial objectives will be established collaboratively and with close review of the capacity and readiness indicators of the Assistant Dean’s prospect portfolio. Based on a general assessment of that portfolio now, the appropriate candidate should be able to secure a minimum of $1,500,000 annually in new commitments within 24 months of hire.
As needed, the Assistant Dean updates and coordinates with the Senior Director of Development, Annual Giving to ensure that the messages and priorities are consistent for the mail and phone programs; coordinates with directors in other areas (Planned Giving, Leadership Annual Giving, Principal Gifts, other units) on mutual interest prospects and programs.

Principal Accountabilities:

With the Dean and independently, aggressively work major gifts portfolio under the prospect development rules and guidelines, actively setting and executing strategies on assigned major gift prospects, meeting or exceeding established benchmarks for visits, contacts, and solicitations, and securing gifts that support the academic priorities of the Dean, other units, or the University as a whole.
Develop, execute, and manage fundraising strategies, priorities, schedules and tactics for the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, including but not limited to: (1) identifying and engaging prospects around the Dean’s academic priorities for the College; (2) planning travel and individual meetings; (3) managing regular communication with key prospects; (4) adding a development perspective to relevant matters that emerge in the School or on the Dean’s leadership team; and, (5) managing all aspects of the Dean’s Constituency Advocacy Councils, including developing strategy to cultivate and solicit council members for leadership giving at the College.
Manage, motivate, and evaluate the College of Arts and Sciences Development team: two Directors of Development, an Assistant Director of Development, and a Development Assistant. Develop major gift strategies and revenue expectations, donor stewardship initiatives, and special event plans to be implemented by appropriate staff members. Delegate and assign associated tasks, including creation and design of related publications.
Work with AU’s Annual Giving team to effectively manage annual giving techniques and messages utilized in AU’s direct marketing and phone programs, assuming responsibility for making sure the information about the College of Arts and Sciences used in these programs is accurate, up to date, and in line with the College’s current fundraising objectives. Work closely with the Director of Development, Annual Giving, on annual Dean’s letter or other equivalent solicitation pieces, ensuring that they occupy a reasonable and productive spot in AU’s direct marketing calendar.
Other duties as assigned in support of the objectives of the Vice President of Advancement.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution.
Seven or more years progressively responsible development experience required, with at least four years in demonstrated success in securing major gifts of $100,000+.
Supervisory experience.
Familiarity with and experience following guidelines of an established Prospect Management System.
Computer literacy with MS Office suite or equivalent and familiarity with fundraising systems.
Superior written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Applications & Nominations

American University has partnered with Boyden. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:

Lisa Vuona
Managing Partner, Boston
lvuona@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Lisa Vuona has decades of experience in executive search and human resource management, primarily in the non-profit, healthcare and education sectors. She is distinguished by her track record and network, and by her approach, which combines the strategic power of data with a finely tuned ability to understand the client’s organization and identify high-caliber leaders who fit the culture.

Beth Parsons
Principal, Boston
bparsons@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Beth Parsons specializes in the education and non-profit sectors, having held fundraising and leadership roles in prominent educational and social impact organizations for over 25 years. She partners with clients to develop search strategies on the basis of organizational needs and core values. Her extensive advancement network serves as a source of high-impact talent.

Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.