Wilson College invites nominations and applications for its next Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA). The College seeks a creative, energetic leader of the institutional advancement staff who will be a valued, proactive partner for President Wesley R. Fugate, Ph.D. and the Board of Trustees. The successful candidate will be an experienced professional who will work with other members of the senior leadership team to ensure the College’s vision for a sustainable future.
The previous decade has been a time of change and profound transformation for Wilson. The College recently completed its five-year Future Wilson: The Phoenix Rises strategic plan, which has led the institution to defy challenges presented to higher education in recent years. With the decision to become coeducational in 2013 along with the addition of online learning and new undergraduate and graduate degree programs, enrollment has increased 53% in the past three years. Most recently, Wilson announced its highest overall enrollment in its 156-year history with the Fall 2025 Census. President Fugate, who arrived in January of 2020, has initiated a dynamic era of creativity. Utilizing a newly approved three-year strategic plan, the new VPIA is expected to embrace and enhance the College’s spirit of innovation.
The new Vice President for Institutional Advancement will be called upon to demonstrate expertise in fundraising, alumnae and alumni engagement, and the promotion of the College. The VPIA will be a valued partner for President Fugate and the Board of Trustees, a creative thinker, a proactive, visionary leader of the institutional advancement staff and campus community, and an important member of the senior leadership team. To be successful the new vice president must share the resilient spirit of innovation that characterizes Wilson, be adaptable and embrace change, and value transparency.
Wilson College recently completed the We Rise: United for Wilson’s Future three-year campaign, surpassing all expectations. Donor gifts exceeded the initial $16 million goal, totaling more than $21.7 million in support of debt reduction, scholarships, growth initiatives, faculty and staff support, and unrestricted giving. For the sixth consecutive year, the Wilson Fund exceeded $1 million annually.
The new Vice President for Institutional Advancement will step into an Advancement operation characterized by strong momentum and positive energy. One of the central opportunities—and challenges—for the successful candidate will be to sustain and accelerate this momentum, ensuring that Wilson continues to build on its recent success.
The VPIA will lead a seven-person Advancement office, serving simultaneously as a productive fundraiser and an effective manager of staff, systems, and programs. The VPIA will work closely with and report directly to the President, leveraging the president’s strong interest and skills in fundraising, to optimize institutional advancement efforts.
As a member of the senior leadership team, the VPIA will serve collegially alongside peers who take pride in advancing Wilson’s mission while stepping in wherever support for students and colleagues is needed. In this role, the VPIA will be expected to bring creativity, collaboration, and strategic vision to Wilson’s fundraising and engagement initiatives.
Key priorities for the Vice President for Institutional Advancement include:
- Accelerating fundraising momentum following the completion of a successful comprehensive campaign
- Seeking creative ways to diversify fundraising methods, revenue streams, and constituent engagement
- Developing new approaches to engage alumnae and alumni across all classes and generations, recognizing the College’s multiple institutional transitions since the 1970s
- Creating and executing a strategy to grow the Wilson Fund from $1.5 million to $2 million annually
- Reinvigorating the Conococheague Society, a heritage giving program, to increase estate and planned gifts
- Serving as a visible, articulate ambassador for Wilson College in Chambersburg and the surrounding region
- Introducing innovative uses of technology to enhance fundraising and strengthen relationships with community partners, corporations, and foundations
- Applying prior experience and insight to address the broader challenges facing higher education and the evolving role of philanthropy and volunteerism in Wilson’s future
Throughout all aspects of the role, the VPIA will embody an enthusiastic, relationship-oriented approach to leadership and fundraising, engaging meaningfully with all Wilson constituencies.
Personal Characteristics & Skills
The successful candidate will bring a collaborative and servant-minded leadership style to the role, demonstrating a deep commitment to Wilson’s students, faculty, and staff. The VPIA will be a hands-on leader who models dedication, integrity, and follow-through, contributing actively to the life of the campus.
The role calls for an individual who combines strategic thinking with practical execution and who brings both energy and authenticity to their work. Desired personal characteristics and skills include:
- A highly collaborative approach within the Advancement division, across campus, and with the senior leadership team
- A servant leadership mindset grounded in service to the Wilson community
- A strong work ethic and willingness to lead by example
- High energy and enthusiasm that align with Wilson College’s dynamic ethos
- The ability to serve as a compelling and passionate spokesperson for Wilson’s mission, values, and distinctive story
- Strategic thinking skills paired with the ability to translate vision into measurable outcomes
- A great sense of humor, along with humility, authenticity, and self-awareness
Preferred & Required Qualifications
Candidates must demonstrate a strong foundation in fundraising and advancement, along with the technical and strategic skills necessary to succeed in a complex higher education environment.
- Required experience in fundraising, with preference given to candidates with experience in higher education
- A demonstrated track record of successful fundraising across annual, endowment, capital, and campaign efforts
- Required knowledge of technological applications in Advancement and a data-driven approach to decisionmaking
- Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge preferred
- An advanced degree preferred
