Our Work
Division Units and the UNC Foundation
Visit the directory to connect with a member of the staff or contact advancement@unco.edu for general questions and assistance.
Alumni & Community Relations
Building and engaging a network of alumni and friends in support of UNC students drives the work of alumni relations staff and volunteers. The team, led by Assistant Vice President for Alumni & Community Relations Lyndsey Crum ’05, manages UNC’s growing alumni and community relationships, facilitates student-alumni career connections, provides alumni career services, and coordinates alumni outreach and engagement for the academic colleges and student affairs programs. Additionally, the team directs official university events including Commencement, State of the University, Honored Alumni Awards, as well as alumni, donor, and community events hosted in Colorado and around the country.
Development
Every gift to UNC, no matter the size or designation, will make a difference and advance UNC’s highest priority – its students. The development team is responsible for managing the relationships and philanthropic strategies that advance and support student education, faculty research, and community service and impact. Under the leadership of Assistant Vice President For Development Jenny Shoop ’08, the team works closely with local, national and corporate constituents to connect donor passion with institutional priorities including increasing student scholarship support, investments in DEI initiatives, and investments linked to UNC's ten-year strategic plan Rowing, Not Drifting 2030. The Development team is currently in the planning stages of the Rowing, Not Drifting 2030 Campaign, a nine-figure multi-year effort to raise gifts and commitments needed to help UNC deliver on its 2030 vision.
Advancement Operations
Executive Director of Advancement Operations Clare Buttry, leads Advancement operations and annual giving staff in the oversight of direct mail and telephone solicitation, crowdfunding campaigns like Bears Give Back, donor and alumni analytics, reporting, and gift processing. Additionally, the team manages UNC’s alumni and donor database which tracks constituent career data, engagement and giving history, and institutional relationships and affinities.
Marketing & Communication
In alignment with UNC’s strategic plan, the marketing and communications team, which is led by Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communication Debbie Farris, drives the communication strategy and market development that helps UNC accomplish its priority of becoming a Student First university. The team employs storytelling, media engagement, marketing and creative services, and effective brand management to aid admissions in recruiting future Bears, amplify faculty research and scholarship, celebrate the success of alumni achievement, and demonstrate the impact of philanthropic involvement.
UNC Foundation
With leadership from its President and Board of Directors, the University of Northern Colorado Foundation is entrusted to provide support and steward donations for the University of Northern Colorado and as such works in alignment with University Advancement and is seen as a critical department within the greater advancement team.
In 1966 one of Greeley’s most prominent leaders, Judy Farr, recognized the need for enhanced financial support for unmet needs at Colorado State College. In an initiative led by Judy and other alumni and community leaders, the Colorado State College Foundation, now the University of Northern Colorado Foundation, was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) for the purpose of promoting the general welfare and growth of the University of Northern Colorado. Since inception, the Foundation has accrued over $145 million dollars in endowed and current-use assets through university fundraising efforts and investment growth and provides a significant source of enhanced financial assistance for scholarships, faculty support, and program enhancements.
The President and staff of the Foundation work across the units of University Advancement to enhance the Division’s work in support of UNC.
