New program for faculty and staff promotes cross-campus collaboration with University Advancement

CAPP workshop empowers participants to build donor and alumni engagement and fundraising knowledge

By Megan Smith ’07, associate director of content for University Advancement

Are there ways for alumni to support Miami University without giving money? Is each academic division responsible for its own fundraising? What do I need to know about the current fundraising campaign?

Miami faculty and staff who have contemplated questions such as these will have the opportunity to get answers and clarifications from University Advancement. On June 28, University Advancement held its first cohort for the Certified Advancement Partner Program (CAPP) on campus, with presentations from leaders and staff in Alumni Relations, Development, and Stewardship and Donor Relations.

The inaugural CAPP cohort consisted of 10 faculty and staff members from various Miami departments and offices. One of the in-person workshop participants was Kimberly Vance, director of the Center for Student Engagement, Activities, and Leadership. 

“The biggest takeaway is this quote: ‘Development funding allows us to do the things we want to do that our resources don’t allow,’” Vance said. “Learning about all the functional areas of Advancement and how they complement each other was so beneficial as I consider our initiatives and resources the Advancement team can provide.”

The training also focused on the current fundraising campaign, For love. For honor. For those who will., the largest in Miami’s history. The workshop defined the $1 billion vision for Miami’s future and the “why” of the campaign through its four cornerstones: Scholarships, Business and Entrepreneurship, Clinical Health Sciences, and Digital Innovation and Technology.

With the campaign slated to continue for four more years, Vance said the timing of the CAPP workshop couldn’t be better. “Advancement and Development are everyone’s responsibility, now more than ever.”

The session wrapped up with a panel discussion moderated by Brad Bundy, vice president for University Advancement. Two of the panelists, Jerome Conley, dean and university librarian, and Pat Haney, professor of Political Science, shared insights on how they build relationships with alumni and donors in their respective roles. Also part of the panel, Lee ’68 and Rosemary ’69 Fisher provided their perspectives as donors working with University Advancement, specifically about their experience with the opening of The Lee and Rosemary Fisher Innovation College@Elm in February.

CAPP was developed by University Advancement in partnership with Stacey Lowery Bretz, who is a former Miami Presidential Fellow and University Distinguished Professor in the department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She now serves as dean for The Getty College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio Northern University. CAPP cohorts are determined by nomination by the President’s Executive Council (PEC) and the Council of Academic Deans (COAD). If you are interested in being considered for future sessions, contact Emily Berry (emily.berry@MiamiOH.edu) or Michelle Rosecrans (martin63@MiamiOH.edu) in University Advancement.