Dear Alumni and Friends:

On January 16, we officially welcomed Dr. Carla Knorowski as our Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the NEIU Foundation. I'm very pleased that she has joined our University. This new appointment reflects our commitment to strengthening Northeastern Illinois University through increased private support.

Dr. Knorowski's 20-plus years of demonstrated success in public higher education advancement and other nonprofit institutional development will benefit the University significantly. Most recently, she was the managing director of development at the Chicago Humanities Festival, a $3.2 million nonprofit arts and humanities organization. Prior to that, she served in various capacities at the University of Illinois at Chicago including director of advancement and external affairs, vice president and associate chancellor for alumni affairs, and associate dean for development and external affairs.

Dr. Knorowski will provide the leadership and framework to move Northeastern Illinois forward as we redefine our vision of philanthropy and advancement programs. In her role as the executive director of the NEIU Foundation, she will work with the Foundation to build on its fundraising efforts for the University. As the receiving arm for charitable gifts since 1969, the Foundation has increased the endowment to $4 million. The NEIU Foundation provides a wide range of annual and endowed scholarships for NEIU students, as well as a fund for student travel, and departmental and institutional support. it is our hope that gifts from friends and members of Northeastern Illinois will expand even more rapidly in the future.

To help coordinate the development efforts at the University, we have established a Development Council. Membership includes the president (as chair), the vice presidents, the deans, the director of development, and the director of public relations. Dr. Knorowski will be a key member of this council.

In addition to leading development initiatives, Dr. Knorowski will also oversee the areas of alumni affairs, marketing, publications, and public relations. The University will strategically and collaboratively design programs and materials to heighten the interest in and awareness of our mission and values. We must position Northeastern Illinois strategically in the minds of our various constituencies.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Knorowski to our University.

Welcome by Carla Knorowski