Recruitment for executive director of university advancement

October 30, 2020

Tori Tragis

— by Dan White, chancellor

In early 2020, I launched an effort to convert the director of development position (filled in an interim capacity by Kate Ripley) into the position of executive director of university advancement with the intent to merge University Relations, Development and Alumni Relations into one department. The purpose of the merger was to develop synergies across the departments and create efficiencies by sharing like efforts. Due to COVID-19 and a few other factors, we chose to close the search unfilled and postpone the merger. 

We have now reopened the recruitment internally to UA applicants. We are looking to fill the position by January and complete the office merger upon return from the holiday break. No new positions are being created in this merger, and the consolidation will result in fewer positions classified as executive. 

I want to thank Kate Ripley for all she has done in her tenure as interim director of development and alumni relations over the last year and a half. Kate has been instrumental in the continued success of development and alumni relations and she will be missed. Kate officially retires from UAF effective Jan. 1, 2021, with over 15 years of service. Thank you, Kate!