Associate Vice President of Central Development
Utah State University

As part of this campaign, donors contributed $29 million toward “Building a University of Distinction.” A highlight of this donation area is the groundbreaking of a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art academic facility in Monument Valley, set to open in early 2026. Located near Monument Valley High School, this landmark — the first USU Statewide Campus on tribal lands — will provide classrooms, labs, computer resources, career and technical training, and community spaces, expanding access to higher education and workforce development for the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas.

This project is made possible through donors like Joe and Anna Graf, whose generosity exemplifies how private giving fuels USU’s mission. Inspired by a shared belief in the transformative power of education, the Grafs are helping uplift an underserved community, demonstrating how philanthropy drives opportunity, growth, and impact across the Four Corners region.

Additionally, $20.6 million was donated to “Accelerate Access and Opportunities” for students and $8.2 million to “Develop Solutions to the World’s Challenges” through research. More than $10.9 million was given to “Elevate the Educational Experience” by supporting faculty excellence — within this area, the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation made a transformational $5 million commitment to establish the Janet Q. Lawson Endowed Deanship in the newly merged S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The second deanship endowment in USU’s history, this gift provides perpetual support for the dean’s strategic priorities, advancing faculty research, student scholarships, fieldwork, and community engagement — initiatives that deepen USU’s statewide impact.

Donor generosity has led to significant strides in supporting students, faculty, and programs. This year, 107 new endowed scholarships were created with 56 of those being first-time endowment donors. More than $4.3 million in endowed scholarships were distributed among 2,012 students. Expendable scholarships also provided more than $5.4 million in financial assistance to students.

Albert Shane, a USU alum from inner-city Philadelphia, credits his education with transforming his life. As the first in his family to attend college, his degree opened doors to a successful career in engineering and teaching, providing financial security and personal fulfillment. Reflecting on his journey, Albert chose to give back by establishing a scholarship endowment at USU to support financially disadvantaged students. Endowments allow donors like Albert to create a lasting legacy, transferring private resources to public good while realizing their gift will continue making an impact for years to come.

Donor support also fuels transformative student experiences. Geosciences major and Peak Summer Research Fellow Michelle Norman was able to dedicate ten weeks solely to research in Utah’s West Desert thanks to the Peak Summer Research Fellowship, an expendable scholarship established in 2019.

“The Peak Fellowship allowed me to fully immerse myself in my research and explore sites I never could have otherwise,” Norman said. “Their belief in undergraduates pursuing ambitious projects has been integral to my success.”

More than 875 USU faculty and staff contributed $1.5 million, demonstrating their dedication to the university.

Barbara ’14 and Craig ’86 Warnes support students through two scholarship endowments in the College of Arts & Sciences and the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, from what began as small contributions through the annual giving campaign and employee payroll deductions. By budgeting even modest amounts through payroll donation programs, they exemplify how staff and faculty can make giving easy, intentional, and transformative for generations of Aggies.

Alumni giving remains a cornerstone of support. Aggies contributed $21.5 million through 4,410 gifts, exemplified by Glenn ’67 and Anne Wilde. Deeply committed to USU’s mission, the Wildes fostered creativity, cultural understanding, and innovation through programs that have left a lasting legacy. Their efforts led to the establishment of the Fife Conference on Western American Folklore and Folklife, the Fife Folklore Archives, and the Brewer Festival of Writing, creating resources that benefit students, faculty, and communities for generations. The Wildes also created graduate fellowship endowments, enabling students to conduct field research in folklore, preserving stories from rural communities across the West. Through their vision and philanthropy, Glenn and Anne demonstrate how alumni support can extend the reach of education, enrich cultural heritage, and provide meaningful opportunities for future generations.

USU received donations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and 27 counties within Utah. The highest total amounts came from Salt Lake County with $15.2 million from 1,084 donors, Cache County with $11.7 million from 2,606 donors, and Sevier County with $3 million from 29 donors. Out-of-state donations were led by Idaho ($8.5 million), California ($4 million), and Kansas ($3.2 million). Aggie Family Scholarships also saw the creation of 13 new endowed scholarships totaling $390,000, plus a $275,000 match from an anonymous donor. The Aggie License Plate Scholarship Program has contributed $3.25 million to student scholarships over its lifetime.

“Every donation, whether large or small, is a vote of confidence in our students and our mission,” said USU Interim President Alan L. Smith. “Our donors enable innovation, advance research, and open doors for students across the state, the nation, and beyond. Their support transforms lives and strengthens communities.”

To view information about USU's Foundation Board, click here.

To view information about USU's Alumni Board, click here.

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to annual giving, corporation and foundations, gift planning, and university-wide development to drive increased development activity and total contributions.
   
• Work with advancement staff and key campus leaders to develop and/or manage an overall fundraising strategic plan that deploys Advancement’s many fundraising support services.
   
• Ensure alignment with the university’s and Advancement’s strategic plans.
   
• Serve as a member of the PGW and the Campaign Strategy team.

• Build, maintain, and nurture a high-functioning team that is aligned with Advancement’s vision, budget, and growth plans.
   
• Effectively lead change initiatives that affect development staff, emphasizing fundraising growth and performance.
   
• Accurately and effectively oversee a performance management program by providing continual employee feedback and recognition. Conduct regular and timely performance appraisals that inspire accountability, success, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
   
• Serve as a mentor and role model for all staff, exemplifying USU’s mission, vision, and values.
   
• Travel throughout the United States, and possibly abroad, to represent USU and connect with both present and prospective donors.

• Utilize industry-wide concepts and effective practices in fundraising planning, strategy, and implementation.
   
• Lead major gift proposals and drive fundraising success.
   
• Participate in national thought leadership conversations and conferences related to Advancement, central development strategies and donors trends with organizations including and not limited to: AGB, CASE and EAB.

• Work closely with university administrators and board leadership to maximize and optimize fundraising opportunities.
   
• Collaborate with Advancement leadership and university colleagues to ensure USU donors and volunteers have gratifying gift and engagement experiences.
   
• Facilitate successful multi-college/unit projects by ensuring proposals, gift acquisition, and stewardship activities are donor-centric and balance the individual needs and requirements of college/units.

• Work in collaboration with the AVP of Collegiate Development to provide leadership for USU Foundation’s Development Committee. 
   
• Participate and provide information as needed to the USU Foundation and the USU Alumni Advisory boards.
   
• Collaborate with college, USU Athletics, and state-wide boards to ensure effective strategies pertaining to central development programs.
   
• Understand and implement successful engagement strategies to create exceptional engagement experiences for USU board members.

• An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
   
• Eight to ten years of experience working as a professional fundraiser with progressive promotion to increased responsibilities.
   
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of current theory and practice in the philanthropic field.
   
• Proven ability to develop and execute comprehensive and innovative fundraising programming.
   
• Demonstrated track record of leading, mentoring, and inspiring staff to achieve goals and implement innovative strategies for success.
   
• Experience with fundraising techniques used in annual fund and organization-wide fundraising campaigns and initiatives.
   
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal/relationship-building skills.
   
• Superior skills in leadership, operations management, board management, and fiscal management.

• Significant achievement leading and coaching professional fundraisers with documented success in achieving goals.
   
• Has participated, held leadership positions, or been involved with national professional organizations related to fundraising and Advancement.
   
• Has success in grant writing and working with sponsored programs.
   
• Experience and success with comprehensive capital campaigns.

• Significant accomplishment in major gifts fundraising and closing complex gifts, with demonstrated success in closing gifts of $1,000,000 or more.
   
• Demonstrated experience building successful, productive, and collaborative relationships with top university administrators, deans, and trustees.
   
• Demonstrated experience staffing and working with high-end university advisory boards and committees comprised of prominent corporate and community volunteers and alumni.
   
• Demonstrated success in working with external boards and foundations comprised of prominent corporate and community volunteers and alumni.
   
• Extensive supervisory and coaching experience of professional staff.
   
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, as well as analytical, research, and management skills.
   
• Familiarity with fundraising.
   
• Maturity and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a deadline-oriented environment.
   
• Knowledge of and commitment to the use of information technology to support advancement programs.
   
• Strong interpersonal skills, particularly with donors, volunteers, and staff members from diverse backgrounds.
   
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills and the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from internal and external audiences.
   
• Ability to position the president to maximize potential as a fundraiser for the university.
   
• Willingness and ability to travel; evening and weekend work is required.
   
• Maintain dignity and self-control in difficult situations.