Giving / About Us / Institutional Advancement Staff
Institutional Advancement Staff
Institutional Advancement | Advancement Services | Alumni Affairs | Annual Giving | Corporate & Foundation Relations
Development | Major Gifts | Planned Giving | Stewardship & Donor Relations
Institutional Advancement
The Division of Institutional Advancement provides the guidance, protocols, processes, infrastructure and organizational leadership to the rest of the campus in order to identify, secure, steward and invest necessary resources to enrich academic, athletic and campus life at the College of Charleston. Committed to cultivating a culture of philanthropy, inclusiveness and support, the professionals in the IA Division work closely with alumni, parents, friends and campus partners to assure boundless opportunities for students, graduates and the College.
Chris Tobin
Executive Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Executive Director, College of Charleston Foundation
Email: tobinc@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.3694
Sarah N. Lewis
Executive Associate and Board Liaison
Email: lewissn@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.1827
About Sarah
Sarah Lewis is the Executive Associate/Board Liaison working closely with the Executive Vice President of Institutional Advancement and the College of Charleston Foundation Board.
Advancement Services
Advancement Services ensures the responsible and ethical management of alumni and donor information and provides information services and infrastructure to support the fundraising and engagement activities of the Division of Institutional Advancement and the College of Charleston overall.
Rudy Alisauskas ’03, ’07
Database Specialist
Email: Alisauskasr@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5761
About Rudy
Rudy provides database maintenance and facilitate the transfer of data between users, and provide software training to new users.
Marijana Radic Boone '01, MPA '03
Executive Director of Advancement Services
Email: boonemr@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5647
About Marijana
Marijana leads and supervises the Advancement Services team, which includes research & prospect management, database administration, constituent records, gift processing, technology support, and web strategy. As senior member of the Development team, she provides expertise in Advancement Services to recommend strategies and resources necessary to accomplish strategic division goals including school, unit and institutional campaigns.
Cherise Browder
Operations Manager
Email: browderc@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.7510
About Cherise
Cherise oversees the administrative area for Advancement Services & Sottile House, IT – Hardware, and software for the division of Institutional Advancement.
Sara Gallagher
Assistant Director, Research & Prospect Management
Email: gallagherse2@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.6468
About Sara
As the Assistant Director, Research and Prospect Management for the College of Charleston, Sara is responsible for researching and expanding the College’s major gift prospect pool of alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations. Additionally, she works with campus administrators and volunteer leadership to identify and cultivate potential donors.
Julia Hammer
Gift Administrator
Email: hammerjk@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5113
About Julia
Julia manages and reviews gifts and commitments to the Foundation to include the Matching Gift Program; preparation of gift receipts and management of pledge reminders.
John Stabinger
Assistant Director of Digital Communications
Email: stabingerjm@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.3619
About John
John oversees and supports the digital communication efforts of Institutional Advancement (IA) including web properties and social media.
Jillian Tintle
Assistant Director of Database & Reporting
Email: tintlej@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5779
About Jillian
Jillian is responsible for the management and administration of information systems within Institutional Advancement (IA), which includes institutional fundraising / development, alumni relations, and other supporting applications. He oversees and directs the development, implementation, maintenance and distribution of all custom fundraising, constituent management, and analytical reporting within Institutional Advancement.
Alumni Affairs
The College's nearly 90,000 alumni are served by a staff of eight full-time professionals who administer the Alumni Association. All former students who earned credit toward a degree at the College are members in good standing of the Alumni Association. The Association's mission is "to manifest interest in, and to promote the welfare of the College." Its strategic plan is to engage alumni to stay informed, get involved, and give back. Staff members direct communications, organize programs and events, coordinate with our CofC Clubs around the world, provide career services, administer member benefits, and keep alumni contact information updated. Should you need assistance, please contact alumni@cofc.edu or 843-953-5630.
Meredith Chance '16
Associate Director, Clubs and Affinity Groups
chancem@cofc.edu
843.953.6631
About Meredith
As the Associate Director of Alumni Chapters and Affinity Groups, Meredith is the primary communication liaison for all Alumni Chapters and the Office of Admissions. Get connected with your local Alumni Chapter, or find out how to create one near you, in order to stay informed, get involved and give back!
Tammie Pritchard Dean
Assistant Director, Operations, Alumni Affairs
deantp@cofc.edu
843.953.6473
About Laney
As the Assistant Director of Events, Laney plans and executes all of the College of Charleston Alumni signature events, including the Alumni Awards Gala and A Charleston Affair. Laney is originally from Spartanburg, SC, and graduated from the College in 2012 majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management and Business Administration. Laney fell in love with both the College and Charleston, and has since never left.
Laney Talbert Friedman '12
Assistant Director of Events, Alumni Affairs
cltalber1@cofc.edu
843.953.7108
About Laney
As the Assistant Director of Events, Laney plans and executes all of the College of Charleston Alumni signature events, including the Alumni Awards Gala and A Charleston Affair. Laney is originally from Spartanburg, SC, and graduated from the College in 2012 majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management and Business Administration. Laney fell in love with both the College and Charleston, and has since never left.
Karen Burroughs Jones’ 74
Director, Alumni Communications and Executive Secretary of the Alumni Association
JonesK@cofc.edu
843.953.5773
About Karen
Karen Jones has been with the Alumni Office since 1990 and has served as the Executive Secretary of the Alumni Association since 2000. As Executive Secretary, she is the liaison between the Alumni Association Board of Directors and various College constituencies. In her role as director of alumni communication, she works closely with College departments to ensure alumni are informed and involved.
Molly Dennis Hamilton ’97
Assistant Director, Marketing & Communications
hamiltonmd1@cofc.edu
843.953.1926
About Molly
Ann is responsible for the general management of the Office of Alumni Affairs. As such, she oversees the development and implementation of the Alumni Association's strategic plan.
Ann Looper Pryor '83
Vice President, Alumni Affairs
pryoral@cofc.edu
843.953.2060
About Ann
Ann is responsible for the general management of the Office of Alumni Affairs. As such, she oversees the development and implementation of the Alumni Association's strategic plan.
Brianna Sabacinski, ‘16
Alumni Research Assistant
sabacinskibm@cofc.edu
843.953.0433
About Brianna
Brianna is responsible for the general management of the Office of Alumni Affairs. As such, she oversees the development and implementation of the Alumni Association's strategic plan.
Najeema Davis Washington
Associate Director, Alumni Engagement & Career Services
Email: washingtonnd@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.1833
About Najeema
Najeema Davis Washington joined the Alumni Affairs team as Associate Director, Alumni Engagement and Career Services. Ms. Washington is a proud alumna of Spelman College where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Political Science, minoring in English. She earned her MPA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Washington worked from 2010-17 as a Senior Analyst for the Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C., and has led her own digital strategy and social media consulting firm since 2011. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Annual Giving
Annual Giving provides scholarship support to students every day. Annual Giving is a vital funding source that creates unique opportunities for students and faculty and enhances programs across campus. Every year, thousands of alumni, parents, friends and students help shape the College of Charleston experience with their gifts to annual giving.
Maria Corontzes Alfieris '76
Administrative Assistant for Annual Giving Programs
Email: alfierism@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.7361
About Maria
Maria provides administrative support for special projects within Institutional Advancement for the Vice President of Development, Assistant VP of Major Gifts, Director of Parent Advisory Council and the Donor Relations Coordinator.
Jenny Gilson Alstad '07
Director of Annual Giving Programs
Email: gilsonjm@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5974
About Jenny
Jenny works with alumni and friends to advocate for the mission of the College of Charleston Fund and the College’s 13 annual giving impact funds. She works to engage constituents and to raise vital funds that support the College’s most immediate needs, which include creating unique opportunities for students and faculty and enhancing programs across campus.
M. Seaton Brown '09
Assistant Director, Annual Leadership Giving
Email: brownms@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.3667
About Seaton
Seaton coordinates the development of the Parents’ Fund, advocating for the support of student scholarships, faculty engagement opportunities, and student programming. He works to encourage relationships between parent constituents and campus partners, ensuring the unique experience offered by a College of Charleston education. Seaton also guides the efforts of the Parent Advisory Council and Parent Leadership Drive as its Director.
Lauren Whiteside Mann, '07
Assistant Director, Annual Leadership Giving
Email: whitesideel@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5172
About Lauren
Lauren works with the College’s first ever student philanthropy group, Committed to Charleston (C2C) to educate students on the importance of giving back to their alma mater. She also manages the Senior Class Gift Program, the Faculty and Staff Drive, and works in partnership with the Assistant Director of Annual Leadership and Reunion Giving in growing and stewarding the GOLD Society.
Laurie Dufour Soenen
Executive Director of Annual Giving Programs and Parent Advisory Council
Email: soenenl@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.3418
About Laurie
Laurie oversees the Annual Giving Office and the programs that fall underneath it; inclusive of Reunion Giving, Chapter Challenges, Faculty & Staff Drive, Cougar Calling Center, Young Alumni Giving, Student Giving Programs and many more. She also works closely with the Alumni Association, Admissions, Student Affairs, and the Foundation Board of Director’s Development Committee. In addition, Laurie works with the College of Charleston Parents’ Fund and the Parent Advisory Council to engage ALL parents to raise important funds to support the student experience and programs, scholarships, and our low faculty-student ratio.
Corporate and Foundation Relations
The CFR Office welcomes the opportunity for corporations and foundations to partner with us by becoming involved in the College of Charleston's diverse academic initiatives, vibrant community-based and experiential learning programs, undergraduate research, and our expanding campus.
Denise Ciccarelli, CFRE
Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
Email: ciccarellimd@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5018
About Denise
Denise leads the College’s efforts to facilitate and grow mutually beneficial relationships between corporate and private foundation partners. She serves as a conduit for the College to share innovative opportunities that benefit economic growth throughout our region. She is focused on building lasting partnerships through engagement and stewardship, understanding the importance that each stakeholder brings to the College.
Andi Judt
Assistant Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
Email: judtal@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.4356
About And
Andi leads the College’s efforts to facilitate and grow mutually beneficial relationships between corporate and private foundation partners. She serves as a conduit for the College to share innovative opportunities that benefit economic growth throughout our region. She is focused on building lasting partnerships through engagement and stewardship, understanding the importance that each stakeholder brings to the College.
Development
Private philanthropy touches every corner of campus: from student scholarships and faculty research funds to cutting-edge technology and world-class athletics. The Development Office partners with schools, units and the many volunteers, alumni, parents and donors who are committed to preserving the College of Charleston’s success and oversees multiple areas of fundraising including Annual Giving, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Major Gifts and Planned Giving.
Cathy Mahon
Vice President of Development
Email: mahonc@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5432
About Cathy
Cathy is responsible for the strategic planning, development and management of the Major Gift Program and Major Gift fundraising team.
Jenny Fowler Peck
Director of Development
Email: fowlerj@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.6620
About Jenny
Jenny serves as the major gift officer for the College of Charleston libraries, including the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, as well as the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs and the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program. She also works closely with development priorities and donors for Dixie Plantation, and serves as the regional development officer for the mid-Atlantic region.
Kenton Youngblood
Director of Development
Email: youngbloodk@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5348
About Kenton
Kenton is a Senior Development Officer at the College of Charleston working closely with both the School of the Arts and constituents in the northeast.
Financial Services
Financial Services provides operational and strategic leadership of the Institutional Advancement division. The team leads all fiscal management and funds activities for the College of Charleston Foundation including Board reporting, accounts payable, cash management, investment strategy and reporting and fixed assets. In addition, the department coordinates the annual financial audit with its external auditors. The team regularly meets and consults with Foundation Board members to review strategy and update reporting. They work in partnership with colleagues across campus to coordinate the prudent stewardship and financial responsibilities of IA and the Foundaton.
J. R. Barnhart
Associate Director of Financial Services
Email: barnhartjr@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5769
About JR
J. R. manages financial statements, expenditures, fixed assets, and banking issues. He also assists with preparing Board of Directors materials and other Foundation reporting.
Crystal Mead
Assistant Director, Investments
Email: meadc@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.0970
Tie Smith
Senior Accountant
Email: smithtd1@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5780
About Tie
Tie manages accounts payable, payroll, and other expenditures for the Foundation. She also assists with developing and implementing expense related policies and procedures.
Major Gifts
The Major Giving team works closely with alumni, parents and the community to identify meaningful opportunities for philanthropic investment in the College’s mission to provide a high-quality education in the arts and sciences, education and business. Gift officers are aligned to schools, units and geographic regions to ensure that no matter what your affiliation with the College or where your current hometown is, there’s a partner in the Development Office able to assist you in making an impact.
John King
Senior Development Officer
Email: kingj1@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.4374
About John
John serves as the principal fundraiser for the undergraduate and graduate programs of the College of Charleston School of Languagues, Cultures, and World Affairs. He also travels regularly to advance relationships with current and prospective major gift donors, with a particular focus on individuals located on the mid-Atlantic region.
Laura Landry
Senior Development Officer
Email: landrylm@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.1835
About Christie
Helen is a Senior Development Officer at the College of Charleston working closely with the School of Business and constituents in the southeast.
Helen Riley Shymanski
Senior Development Officer
Email: shymanskih@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.1718
About Christie
Helen is a Senior Development Officer at the College of Charleston working closely with the School of Business and constituents in the southeast.
Christie Tinsley
Senior Development Officer
Email: tinsleyce@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.3633
About Christie
Christie Tinsley is a Senior Development Officer at the College of Charleston working closely with the School of Business and constituents in the southeast.
Planned Giving
Planned giving offers donors an opportunity to achieve their larger philanthropic goals at the College. Typically, planned gifts are arranged in the present and allocated at a future date. Gifts range from simple beneficiary designations and bequests to life insurance, trusts, charitable gift annuities and real estate. No matter your situation, planned gifts can help you create a meaningful charitable legacy without sacrificing your quality of life.
Peggy Cieslikowski
Director of Planned Giving
Email: cieslikowskiph@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.6475
About Peggy
Peggy explores creative, philanthropic estate planning ideas with alumni, faculty/staff and friends who care so deeply about the future of the College of Charleston that they would consider making it a part of their legacy.
Courtney Pourciaux
Planned Giving Associate
Email: pourciauxcn@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5766
About Peggy
Peggy explores creative, philanthropic estate planning ideas with alumni, faculty/staff and friends who care so deeply about the future of the College of Charleston that they would consider making it a part of their legacy.
Stewardship and Donor Relations
The Stewardship and Donor Relations team is responsible for celebrating the impact of philanthropy at the College of Charleston, educating donors about the impact of their giving, recognizing our donors' generosity, and inspiring continued and greater support.
Kendra E. Conway
Director of Special Events and Donor Relations
Email: conwayk@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.7518
About Kendra
As the new Assistant Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations, Kendra plans and executes events; produces correspondence; and helps with the donor report and Momentum.
Carin Jorgensen
Executive Director of Stewardship, Donor Relations, and Communications
Email: jorgensencl@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5859
About Carin
Leads efforts to ensure positive experiences for the College’s donors and manages priorities such as the gift acknowledgement system, special events, investor reports, leadership donor societies, and the annual Donor Report. Works closely with Deans and Department leadership to execute best practices to thank our donors, educate them on the impact of their philanthropy, and inspire them to continue their support.
Emily Padgett ’12
Assistant Director, Scholarships and Donor Relations
Email: espadget@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5742
About Emily
Emily facilitates the relationship between scholarship recipients and their donors through gathering thank you notes, holding special events and the like. She works closely with financial aid in the stewardship portion of all scholarship funds.