Nelson-Ginder, Knight Named New Leaders in University Development

University Relations

l-r: Katy Nelson-Ginder; Kellie Knight

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Katy Nelson-Ginder has been named the associate vice chancellor for university development and Kellie Knight has been promoted to assistant vice chancellor for university development, effective July 1. Both Nelson-Ginder and Knight will lead university development’s efforts in Campaign Arkansas, the $1 billion capital campaign for the University of Arkansas that will conclude in 2020.

Mark Power, vice chancellor for university advancement said, “Katy and Kellie have a combined 27 years of fundraising experience at the university and will do an outstanding job leading our development efforts. Our alumni and friends think highly of them, and they are well-respected by our advancement team. They have been involved with Campaign Arkansas from the beginning and will be excellent leaders as we move forward with our $1 billion goal.”

Most recently, Nelson-Ginder served as the assistant vice chancellor for university development. Prior to that, she spent over six years with the Sam M. Walton College of Business, first as the director of development and external relations before being named a senior director of development. Before this she worked for nine years in corporate development and relationship management with the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

Nelson-Ginder holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. She lives in Fayetteville and is a life member of the Arkansas Alumni Association, the Towers of Old Main and the A Club.

“It is inspiring to work with the deans, faculty and an outstanding team of development professionals to secure philanthropic support for campus priorities that will transform the university and benefit our students,” said Nelson-Ginder. “I am grateful to our loyal benefactors, corporations and foundations for the support they have provided over the years, and I am honored to have a leadership role in university development and Campaign Arkansas.”

Knight most recently worked as the executive director of university initiatives in university development, an area that includes the Women’s Giving Circle, Student Affairs, the University Libraries, fundraising for Research and Economic Development, the Graduate School and International Education, the Honors College, Diversity Initiatives and the university’s new scholarship initiative, Advance Arkansas.

Prior to that, Knight was the senior director of development for campaign priorities for the university. Her unit fundraising experience includes 11 years in the College of Engineering and three years in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. She has been with the university since 2000 and holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois. She lives in Springdale and is a life member of the Women’s Giving Circle and a member of the Arkansas Alumni Association.

“I look forward to playing a greater role in university development as we continue our efforts to increase private gift support to advance the University of Arkansas,” said Knight. “As part of the team during the Campaign for the Twenty-First Century, I saw firsthand the loyalty and pride of alumni and friends in transforming the institution. Now, our team has an opportunity to enhance and broaden the level of support for the university through Campaign Arkansas.”

About Campaign Arkansas: Campaign Arkansas is the ongoing capital campaign for the University of Arkansas to raise private gift support for the university’s academic mission and other key priorities. The campaign’s goal is to raise $1 billion to support academic and need-based scholarships, technology enhancements, new and renovated facilities, undergraduate, graduate and faculty research, study abroad opportunities and other innovative programs. The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in a wide spectrum of disciplines as it works to fulfill its public land-grant mission to serve Arkansas and beyond as a partner, resource and catalyst.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.