--- title: About date: 2025-02-03T15:40:00-05:00 author: Alia Pirruccello canonical_url: "https://universityrelations.umd.edu/about-the-division" section: Pages --- # About *About* **About the Division** The division is composed of more than 200 talented and dedicated advancement professionals. UR is subdivided into verticals including Development (school-, college- and unit-based teams, central departments and advancement services), People & Engagement (UMD Alumni Association, board operations, special events and human resources), Finance (including UMCP Foundation and IT services) and the Office of the Vice President (strategy, communications and principal gifts). ## Office of the Vice President The Office of the Vice President for University Relations (VPUR) provides many facets of leadership and support for the UR division. Within its purview are division-wide strategic initiatives and communications, principal gifts and other aspects of the VPUR’s portfolio in serving the division, the university and the UMCP Foundation. - **Jim Harris** — Vice President for University Relations and President of University of Maryland College Park Foundation - **Beth Javier-Wong** — Assistant Vice President for Strategic Outreach - **Susan Smith** — Assistant Vice President, Principal Gifts - **Eve Pomerantz** — Director, Strategic Advancement Initiatives - **Christina Kawata** — Assistant to the Vice President ## University Development The Office of University Development is responsible for fundraising and philanthropic operations at the University of Maryland, at all levels. ### Central Development Central Development focuses on philanthropic efforts university-wide and tailored to specific areas of need that are not housed within a specific college or school. These teams frequently partner across the division to cultivate donors with passion for the University of Maryland and who want to be catalysts for impact. - Annual Giving - Corporate and Foundation Relations - Gift Planning - Leadership Annual Giving - Regional Major Giving - Division of Student Affairs - Office of Undergraduate Studies - The Graduate School - University Libraries - Parent and Family Philanthropy - Donor Experience Officers ### Schools/Colleges Development Schools/Colleges Development focuses on the philanthropic needs of the academic units within the University. Teams within each school or college focus on fundraising for scholarships and fellowships, programmatic support and experiential learning, research funding opportunities, and capital expansion priorities including facilities. School- and college-based teams often partner with central and advancement services teams in maximizing donor impact. - A. James Clark School of Engineering - College of Agriculture and Natural Resources - College of Arts and Humanities - College of Behavioral and Social Sciences - College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences - College of Education - College of Information Studies - Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) - Philip Merrill College of Journalism - Robert H. Smith School of Business - School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation - School of Public Health - School of Public Policy ### Advancement Services Advancement Services focuses on the back of house operations for our philanthropic teams at the University. These teams drive our day to day operations, as well as opportunities for greater impact by research and reporting. Advancement Services also manages the full circle experience for our donors from giving the gift, the gift acceptance process, and expanding donors opportunities for further engagement with the University. - Business Intelligence - Donor Relations and Stewardship - Gift Acceptance - Prospect Management and Research - **Heather Foss Thomas** — Assistant Vice President, Central Development - **Michelle Milkovich** — Assistant Vice President, Advancement Services ## People & Engagement This vertical within University Relations leads initiatives that activate alumni, volunteers, and staff to advance the goals of University Relations. It is composed of the following offices and departments - Human Resources - Special Events - UMCPF Board Operations - UMD Alumni Association - Engagement and Outreach - Membership & Business Development - Finance & Operations - Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center - **Jeff Williams** — Assistant Vice President, People & Engagement - **Jessica Roberts** — Senior Executive Director, Alumni Association - **Jeremy Kugel** — Assistant Vice President for Finance, University Relations & Vice President & Treasurer/CFO, University of Maryland College Park Foundation - **University of Maryland Alumni Association** - **University of Maryland College Park Foundation**