As we prepare to launch the university’s next comprehensive fundraising campaign, the university is pleased to announce two major changes in our office; focusing our mission and strengthening our team, which will better position us to take our fundraising and engagement efforts to new heights.
First, a name change. Effective immediately, the Office of Institutional Advancement will be known as the Office of Advancement. Our mission isn’t only about the institution; it’s also about the people who make up Illinois Institute of Technology. As the Office of Advancement, we advance the success of our alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community through energized fundraising and constituent engagement.
Second, we are pleased to announce the following staffing changes within our incredible team:
- Beth Campbell has accepted the role of campaign director, guiding our next campaign toward our biggest goal yet. For more than 20 years, Beth has been cultivating Illinois Tech’s philanthropic community while providing first-class stewardship to our donors. She has proven herself to be a committed collaborator to our Board of Trustees and to the campus, and applies her vast institutional knowledge to guide our strategic processes.
- Carrie Casper has been with Illinois Tech for more than a decade, rising swiftly through the ranks of Advancement and wearing many hats along the way, including leadership of events, donor relations, and strategic initiatives. With her experience working closely with campus partners and our Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees, Carrie is a perfect fit as our new assistant vice president, in charge of our back office operations that in turn supports the entire enterprise.
- Susan Lewers joins our central Advancement team from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she has served for more than nine years leading Chicago-Kent’s advancement program. As associate vice president for major and planned gifts, Susan will oversee our major gifts and planned giving programs, as well as continue with some of her duties at Chicago-Kent. This focus will provide Susan the opportunity to furnish us with a renewed sense of collaboration across colleges and our Chicago campuses.
- Dea Marcano joined our team in November as associate vice president of constituent engagement. Dea joins us from California, bringing with her over two decades of experience as an advancement and alumni engagement leader, including 14 years at Harvey Mudd College, where she was made an honorary alumna. Dea’s depth of knowledge and expertise are already shaping exciting new opportunities for all of us to engage and support our alumni and expand our Annual Giving program.
Please join us in congratulating these four talented leaders and your campus partners on their new appointments.