Institutional Advancement Staff

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.

Rudy provides database maintenance and facilitate the transfer of data between users, and provide software training to new users.

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 oversees the administrative area for Advancement Services & Sottile House, IT – Hardware, and software for the division of Institutional Advancement.

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 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 oversees and supports the digital communication efforts of Institutional Advancement (IA) including web properties and social media.

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.

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!

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Ryan is responsible for the growth and stewardship of our GOLD Society level donors. She also works closely with our alumni 1770 Society donors with a special focus on Reunion Campaigns and the annual Reunion Challenge. In addition, this position manages our volunteers through the Reunion Agent program.

Brenda is responsible for the success of the Cougar Call Center, overseeing a team of 30 students dedicated to advancing the mission of the College through philanthropy. She is also responsible for the College’s digital fundraising efforts and giving days such as #CougarWelcome and Give to What You Love. In addition, Brenda manages and guides the efforts of the over 150 volunteers that make up the Cougar Online Ambassadors.

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.

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.

Cathy is responsible for the strategic planning, development and management of the Major Gift Program and Major Gift fundraising team.

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 is a Senior Development Officer at the College of Charleston working closely with both the School of the Arts and constituents in the northeast.

J. R. manages financial statements, expenditures, fixed assets, and banking issues. He also assists with preparing Board of Directors materials and other Foundation reporting.

Tie manages accounts payable, payroll, and other expenditures for the Foundation. She also assists with developing and implementing expense related policies and procedures.

Halley is a Senior Development Officer working closely with the College of Charleston Libraries and constituents in the southeast.

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.

Christie Tinsley is a Senior Development Officer at the College of Charleston working closely with the School of Business and constituents in the southeast.

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.

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.

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 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.