Vice President for Institutional Advancement

East Georgia State College (EGSC) is currently a two-year institution of the University System of Georgia. EGSC provides more than 1,700 students access to both academically transferable pathways and collaborative programs in occupation-related fields.

The main campus in Swainsboro offers a tight-knit community with residential options. The beautiful 400-acre pine forest campus has two small lakes, a challenging 18-hole disc golf course, an active apiary, and is one of only 115 Bee Campuses across the nation. EGSC also operates instructional sites in Statesboro and Augusta that allow students to benefit from the small class sizes and affordability of EGSC while still experiencing the vibrant student life of the larger universities with which the College shares space.

Serving both traditional and nontraditional students, EGSC has a technologically advanced teaching and learning environment that is designed to enhance student success and provides a broad range of resources, opportunities, and amenities beyond the classroom that foster personal growth. The College also offers an on-campus residential option for students to experience.

The College offers five associate degrees:

• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Associate of Arts in Elementary Education Associate of Arts in Social Sciences Associate of Science in Business Administration Associate of Science in Natural Sciences

The College also offers transfer pathways that provide students with wide-ranging courses that prepare them to earn a degree at a transferring institution of their choice. Transfer pathways enable students to achieve their academic goals by providing foundation curriculum courses that successfully transfer into a related academic program at another institution.

EGSC continuously engages the communities it serves through public service and cultural enrichment. Its economic impact on its region is over $64 million.

The EGSC Bobcats are part of the National Junior College Athletic Association and Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association. Bobcat Athletics has four Varsity and Junior Varsity sports teams (baseball, softball, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball); Junior Varsity athletics was added in Fall 2021, and cross country and tennis began Fall 2022. The number of athletes in the program is 200-plus.

East Georgia State College’s goal for the new Vice President for Institutional Advancement is to revive the advancement and fundraising capacities of the College, in general, and rebuild the alumni relations and Vision Series, in particular.  This initiative brings programs of intellectual and cultural enrichment to the College and its broader constituency. Since its inception, the Vision Series has hosted outstanding personalities, authors, newsmakers, musical performances, dance companies, and theatrical productions. Through sponsored field trips, students and community members have opportunities to attend exhibitions and dramatic productions, not only in Georgia but also in neighboring states.

East Georgia State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

East Georgia State College Foundation

The East Georgia State College Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the cause of higher education in the area through the development of the College. The 25-member Foundation Board is comprised of alumni and community volunteers. The Board meets four times a year in March, June, September, and December.

Since 1973, the EGSCF has helped to make the future a bright one for hundreds of academically talented students. Attracting and retaining high-quality students through a strong scholarship program has always been one of the priorities for the EGSCF.

The mission of the East Georgia State College Foundation is to help transform and enhance the lives of the diverse student population by providing educational opportunities, financial support, and advocacy for students. By generating, processing, and allocating gifts, the Foundation supports efforts that enhance the quality of programs by funding scholarships, new academic initiatives, technology, endowments, faculty/staff development, athletic programs, and capital projects.

The Opportunity

The Vice President for Institutional Advancement is the administrator for the Office of Institutional Advancement at East Georgia State College, which includes Community Relations (brand strategy, collaboration with an outsourced marketing firm, and alumni engagement), the Vision Series, and the EGSC Foundation.  This year, the College celebrates its 50th Anniversary, so the new Vice President will also manage developing programming and events to honor this important date.

This administrator works with the College’s senior leadership, academic leaders, faculty, staff, alumni, and the East Georgia State College Foundation to promote the mission and priorities of the College and to enhance the College’s public image to internal and external constituents. The administrator is primarily responsible for leading the College’s fundraising efforts to further college and University System of Georgia initiatives. The administrator also leads and develops a comprehensive and effective staff, setting goals and inspiring them to meet and exceed these expectations.

The Vice President also has a leadership role with the Sudie A. Fulford Community Learning Center, which provides a unique educational resource for Emanuel County and the surrounding communities. The Center’s construction, which includes a domed planetarium and an amphitheater and pavilion, was made possible through a generous donation to the EGSC Foundation from Mr. and Mrs. A. D. “Pete” Correll in remembrance of Mrs. Correll’s mother, Sudie A. Fulford.

The Vice President serves on the President’s Cabinet.

Responsibilities

• Reports directly to the President and works collaboratively as a member of the President's Cabinet to advance the strategic goals and objectives of the College. Assure that the Department’s strategic goals are aligned with the College’s strategic goals; regularly assess progress towards the unit’s goals; implement changes necessary to attain goals; and regularly reports to the President about progress of activities. Provide leadership and strategic focus to further the College’s development, alumni relations, marketing communications, community relations, and outreach (including the Fulford Center), and engagement initiatives. Represent the College to various and diverse individuals and groups, including state and community business and civic leaders, EGSC Foundation board members, alumni, and other donors. Collaborate with leaders of enrollment management and outreach to build the College’s image and foster engagement with external constituencies and communities. Assist and guide the vice presidents, associate vice presidents, EGSC Foundation, Institutional Advancement staff, directors, faculty, and staff with identifying and implementing strategies to increase private funding for college programs, athletics, and capital needs, as well as secure gifts and grants from private foundations and government sources.  The new Vice President is expected to work collaboratively with the College’s Grants Office. Work as a liaison with the EGSC Foundation to build and sustain a dynamic philanthropic corporation and promote thoughtful and productive relationships between the Foundation and the College. Assist the College President and the EGSC Foundation Board of Trustees in building and nurturing long-term relationships that yield significant support from major gift donors. Provide direction for day-to-day operations, formulate and manage budgets, and develop staff competencies. Serve as the University System of Georgia legislative liaison for EGSC. Provide both internal and external communications for the College. Serve on college committees. Position of Trust. Handle other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives and functions of the subunits in the department in order to direct and coordinate work within the department, which requires four-to-five years of related experience and a bachelor’s degree (minimum qualifications) or two-to-three years of related experience and a master’s degree ‘in-hand’ or one that would be completed within the probationary period/first six months of employment (preferred). Minimum of three years of progressively responsible leadership, management, and administrative, supervisory, and financial leadership in higher education or similar relevant field.  Knowledge of the University System of Georgia and its various entities is preferred. Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Willingness to serve, independently and alongside the College President, as the public face of the College’s fundraising, marketing, and communication efforts An understanding of marketing and communications that positions the institution for higher visibility, increased brand recognition, and successful outcomes of marketing objectives. Ability to successfully develop and lead fundraising activities and campaigns, goal setting, planning, and implementing strategies, identifying new donors, and soliciting gifts Ability to work with administration and faculty to identify and distill College priorities into a compelling and clearly articulated case for support Ability to lead the team that manages the East Georgia State College Foundation’s activities and initiatives The ability and confidence to develop and cultivate relationships with established and prospective donors, including individuals, businesses, and foundations, for securing private funds A willingness to learn and execute best practices in advancement and fundraising, including annual funds, major gifts, alumni relations, estate and planned gifts, corporate and foundation fundraising, and the management of volunteers Ability to oversee and direct activities and events for fundraising and other advancement initiatives An understanding and willingness to learn budgets, financial records, laws, regulations, and software associated with a comprehensive advancement program The knowledge for developing and maintaining documentation and stewardship of planned gifts Knowledge of federal funding regulations and personnel and funding regulations at public colleges Extensive personal community involvement to represent the College Outstanding oral and written communication skills Skill in the delegation of responsibility and authority Skill to make timely decisions Skill in decision-making and problem-solving Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public