Division of Student Affairs Hires New Director of Development

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Sue Harris

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sue Harris has been named the new director of development for the University of Arkansas Division of Student Affairs. Harris, who is currently working with Razorback Athletics, will start in her new role with the division on June 2.

Harris is an experienced fundraiser who has worked in the areas of donor and alumni relations for most of her career. She has been in a temporary development assistant role with Razorback Athletics since October 2013.

“Sue brings years of professional experience in the areas of development and alumni affairs,” said Danny Pugh, vice provost for student affairs. “Her various skill sets make her incredibly qualified to assist in our capital priorities and an additional major focus area for us in parent initiatives.”

Harris said she is excited about taking on the role of fundraiser for the division.

"Student Affairs reaches the entire University of Arkansas, and the students are the heartbeat of this campus,” Harris said. “It is exciting to be able to help raise funds for programs and departments that help put the students on pathways to success and develop them into leaders of tomorrow. Student Affairs does this better than any group on campus.”

“Student Affairs is atypical to traditional college and university development roles in that we don’t have ‘graduates’ of Student Affairs,” Pugh said. “As such, cultivating relationships with donors requires close work with other development partners, including corporate relations, various colleges, and identifying donors not previously affiliated with the division.”

“I’m confident Sue will be an asset to our development team,” said Chris Wyrick, vice chancellor for advancement. “The search committee did an excellent job throughout this process and highly recommended her for this position. Student Affairs continues to be an important fundraising area for us and gives us an opportunity to engage alumni from across campus, as well as parents of current students. I look forward to working with Sue and advancing the goals of this division.”

“The major priorities for the Student Affairs are divisional and departmental top 50 initiatives that support increasing retention, graduation, and job placement rates,” Pugh said. “Our vision of strengthening students for success is about supporting students so they can achieve their academic and career goals.” 

Harris will assume her new role on June 2 and will have dual reporting to both the Division of Student Affairs and Division of Advancement.

"I am excited to join the accomplished Advancement and Student Affairs teams,” Harris said. “The two divisions have an amazing group of professionals that are truly committed to making the University of Arkansas a better place."

Harris joined the University of Arkansas in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in October 2013 as a development assistant. Prior to her arrival, she was the associate director for alumni relations in institutional advancement at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her role included oversight of the alumni chapters program and affinity partner programs, working with the offices of admissions, career center, student affairs, homecoming and alumni education programs.

From October 2005 to March 2012, Harris worked at Miami University, Ohio. She began as the director of development, associate athletic director and moved to alumni relations in April 2007. Her role as the associate director of the alumni association included revenue generation programs and oversight for more than 30 alumni groups including Greek organizations, ROTC, arts, and many more.

Harris started her career at the University of Minnesota in the men’s athletics development office, working with the annual fund, special events, scholarship endowments, NCAA Championships and was a part of the foundation’s $1.4 billion capital campaign. With the merger of the men’s and women’s athletics programs in 2002, she was a member of the strategic planning team and moved to athletics administration, working as part of the management team.

A native of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Harris is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in political science. She has been involved as a volunteer in both campus and community programs throughout her career.