The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) seeks a dynamic leader to serve as its next Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Alumni and Community Relations.
Founded as a teacher’s college in 1889, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) has graduated generations of educators, more than any other Colorado university. While UNC’s roots remain strong as a leader in preparing teachers and school administrators, the university has diversified its academic portfolio to include programs that prepare students to be leaders in a variety of fields, including health sciences, business, the humanities, and performing and visual arts. Today, the university is a public, doctoral research and educational institution that is home to approximately 9,000 students and more than 200 undergraduate and graduate programs housed across five colleges: Education and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, Monfort College of Business, Natural and Health Sciences, and Performing and Visual Arts. In response to a current and growing need for new doctors, the university is also pursuing the creation of a sixth college that is on track to welcome its first class as early as 2026: the University of Northern Colorado College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Recognized as a top university for social mobility, UNC is committed to supporting its students and providing them with a high-quality education and a community where they can thrive. The university’s expert faculty and tradition of research and hands-on learning give students exceptional opportunities and a personalized education. UNC is proud to be Colorado’s newest Hispanic Serving Institution and to be recognized by the Colorado Department of Higher Education as a First Generation-Serving Institution.
The university’s 260-acre main campus is located in the city of Greeley, a vibrant town of nearly 115,000 in the heart of northern Colorado. According to 2020 census data, Greeley is one of the fastest-growing locations in the country ranking the first fastest in Colorado and the fourth fastest in the nation. Through the university’s Extended Campus, students also have access to a UNC education online or at off-campus centers located in Denver and Loveland.
The Assistant Vice President for Alumni and Community Relations will walk in as a strong and respected leader to influence and help shape an integrated and growing advancement team. The AVP will be an innovative advancement expert with the proven leadership, strategic vision, and operational skills that will help continue a long history of excellence in alumni relations, annual giving, and career services at the university.
The ideal candidate will bring experience and familiarity working within alumni and community relations and be a creative, inspiring, and energetic leader who can advance UNC’s mission. UNC takes pride in the rich diversity of its faculty, staff, and student body. Therefore, the AVP must deeply value the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and commit to meaningful DEI outcomes in their work, including how resources are allocated, and the ways in which they mentor and communicate with staff and stakeholders.
The new leader will report to the Vice President for University Advancement and serve as a senior member of the University Advancement leadership team. The Assistant Vice President for Alumni and Community Relations will collaborate with the university community to build and engage a network of alumni and friends, supporting UNC students through the efforts of alumni relations staff and volunteers. This role will enhance UNC’s alumni and community relationships, facilitate student-alumni career connections, provide alumni career services, and coordinate alumni outreach and engagement for academic colleges and student affairs programs. The AVP will oversee the management of an omni-channel, pipeline-driven annual giving program, focused on collaborative engagement, donor retention, and upgrades to the major gift team. The AVP will manage the University Events team, including events such as Commencement, Homecoming, UNC’s Honored Alumni Awards, and various alumni, donor, and community events. Finally, the AVP will oversee the integration of the Center for Career Readiness into the division of University Advancement, continuing UNC’s leadership in the areas of career pathways and alumni outcomes.
All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile available at www.wittkieffer.com.
WittKieffer is assisting the University of Northern Colorado in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made.
Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal.
Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:
Jevon Walton and Mercedes Chacón Vance
UNCoAVPACR@wittkieffer.com
Compensation and Benefit Information
Compensation range: $150,000 – $165,000
Benefits: The University of Northern Colorado provides a wide range of benefits for its employees. Information on University benefits programs, including eligibility, is available at https://www.unco.edu/human-resources/employee-resources/benefits/.
UNC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action/Title IX employer committed to a culturally diverse staff, faculty, and student body. In accordance with established laws, the University prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, marital status, or political affiliation for employees in all aspects of employment and for students in academic programs and activities. Please visit https://www.unco.edu/institutional-equity-compliance/ to learn more.
Commitment to Job Application Fairness: Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.
