Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Mount Aloysius College, recognized by ModernThink as a “2022 Great College to Work For,” is a comprehensive, liberal arts and science-based college and one of 17 Mercy-sponsored colleges and universities in the United States. The College seeks a dynamic and engaging leader to serve as their next Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

The Position: Reporting to the President, collaborating with a dynamic Cabinet, and leading a staff of six, the Vice President is responsible for fundraising strategy, including annual and campaign support, government and foundation funding, and the engagement of alumni in the life and financial health of the College. In recent years, the Advancement team has skillfully increased the level of giving across their donor base and introduced new special event fundraisers with strong results. In just the last fiscal year, through strategic efforts and positive team energy, total giving expanded by 83% to exceed $1.5M, with unrestricted gifts up 88% and restricted donations increasing 74%. In the last two years, total donor participation has increased over 30%, setting the stage for continued long-term success. This high-performing team and solid fundraising operation is poised for continued growth.  Additionally, a feasibility study is underway for a major campaign to begin within the next year as part of the College’s Growing Greater Strategic Plan. The Vice President will lead a team of advancement professionals and is an integral member of the President’s Executive Council (PEC), which is collectively responsible for visionary leadership and innovative strategies to lead the College into the future. As such, the Vice President participates in institution-wide strategic planning, implementation, and policy development, always with a focus on student success.

The Institution: Established in 1853, Mount Aloysius College was founded by the Religious Sisters of Mercy and is an institution where gratitude resonates. The College provides a setting in which students are encouraged to synthesize faith with learning, to develop competence with compassion, to put talents and gifts at the service of others, and to begin to assume leadership in the world community. With emphasis on values of justice, hospitality, mercy, and service, the College’s liberal arts core curriculum provides the necessary basis for leadership and the knowledge and skills in a wide range of professions. While the academic focus is paramount at Mount Aloysius, the College also considers spiritual, cultural, social, and personal growth as essential elements in the development of the student. Over the past two years, the institution has grown 9% year-over-year new student enrollment and 7% year-over-year in total student body. Currently serving approximately 1,000 full-time students—including 40% first-generation and 35% Pell-eligible students—Mount Aloysius offers associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree pathways. Students receive individualized attention with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The College offers its students a robust student life, with five residential halls and more than 100 clubs and activities, including 16 NCAA athletic teams. Mount Aloysius is dedicated to ensuring that a quality higher education is never out of reach; 99% of students receive financial aid. More information may be found at https://www.mtaloy.edu.

Qualifications: The successful candidate will demonstrate big-picture thinking, emotional acumen, and have a strong track record of personal engagement and achievement in major gifts, campaigns, alumni relations, and communications. The ability to carry forward current initiatives swiftly and effectively, develop fresh ideas/strategies, and effectively communicate those ideas to lead others is also required. Candidates with comprehensive experience building annual, major and planned giving programs, leading campaigns, and working cooperatively with a Board of Trustees are highly valued. The successful candidate will display the ability to build effective relationships across a range of key constituents and will demonstrate success in building teams and inspiring excellence. Experience with budgeting, budget oversight, strategic planning, and effective management of fiscal and human resources is required. Other requirements include a master’s degree and significantly progressive experience in advancement work.

Location: Located in Cresson, Pennsylvania, Mount Aloysius spans 193 acres. The area surrounding Mount Aloysius offers an array of entertainment opportunities. The region has an abundance of state parks, offering 250 miles of hiking trails and endless outdoor entertainment. Theaters, restaurants, shopping, and other entertainment opportunities are nearby in the cities of Altoona and Johnstown. The campus is 70 miles from Pittsburgh, home of the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins, and a rich abundance of historical, cultural, and entertainment opportunities.

Application: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to RPA Inc. at MtAloyVPIA@rpainc.org. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to make a nomination, please contact Dana John Cohick, President, at the email address listed above. The first review of candidates will begin on November 18, 2022, and first-round interviews will commence thereafter.