FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Kellie Knight of Springdale, Ark., is the new director of development and external relations for the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas. Knight returns to the college — where she once served as the assistant director of development and previously as the scholarship and endowment officer — after spending three years as the development director in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

“I am thrilled to welcome Kellie Knight back to the College of Engineering family,” said Ashok Saxena, dean of the Engineering College. “Her historical knowledge of our faculty, our accomplishments and our needs will undoubtedly be an asset to our future. Kellie is an expert fundraiser who builds genuine, meaningful relationships, helping our alumni and friends to focus their philanthropic efforts in a way that is fulfilling to the benefactors as well as to the college. We have chosen the very best person for this vital position.”

In her role with Bumpers College, Knight was responsible for raising private gift support for priority initiatives in the college. She planned strategic communication efforts to reach the various constituencies of the college, and she worked closely with alumni and friends to match their philanthropic interests with the needs of the students and faculty.

“Kellie has done an outstanding job for Bumpers College, and I am excited to see her return to the College of Engineering in this role,” said Mark Power, executive director of development and principal gifts. “She is a proven leader in the fundraising field, and the additional responsibilities over the college’s communications efforts will fit well with her skill set. Kellie is a team player with a proven reputation at the University of Arkansas. It is a pleasure to be a part of this next step in her career.”

The College of Engineering welcomes Knight as not only the chief fundraising officer for the academic unit, but also as the communications lead. She will oversee a team that includes development staff, a communications director and a Web designer.

“It is an honor to have been chosen to lead the development program where I began my career at the university nearly 10 years ago,” said Knight. “The college has an outstanding group of faculty, staff and students, and I look forward to working alongside them to support and enhance their educational and research endeavors. There is a great story to tell about the College of Engineering, and it will be a pleasure to work with the communications team in sharing news about ways in which technological advancements are impacting the lives of the citizens of Arkansas and the world.”

Before coming to the University of Arkansas in 2000, Knight held positions in the fields of financial aid, accounting, youth education and newspaper editing. She is a member of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and she is involved with First United Methodist Church in Springdale as well as the Springdale School District.

Knight holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois.