FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas alumna Lea-Ann Morton has been named the new director of corporate and foundation relations for university development. The Northwest Arkansas native assumed her new responsibilities on Aug. 1 and will foster relationships with key corporations and foundations to support Campaign Arkansas.

“I am excited that Lea-Ann will lead the corporate and foundation relations team at the university,” said Katy Nelson-Ginder, associate vice chancellor for university development. “She is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in higher education and corporate and foundation relations. She will do an excellent job building our relationships with key corporate partners as we increase their engagement with the university for the betterment of our students, faculty and Campaign Arkansas.”

Morton most recently served as assistant vice chancellor for university advancement at Missouri University of Science and Technology, where she led strategic efforts in development, human resources, division funding streams and various initiatives to identify and engage corporate partnerships. Prior to that, she was the director of career opportunities and employer relations.

“I am thrilled to join the University of Arkansas family,” said Morton. “I look forward to meeting our many corporate partners and seeing how we can work together to further develop reciprocity and add value.”

Morton holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the College of the Ozarks, where she also received the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. She earned a M.Ed. in adult education from the U of A and a doctorate in educational administration and policy from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Morton has served on the board of directors for the American Society for Engineering Education and holds memberships in a variety of associations for the promotion and advancement of higher education, industry, corporate relations and career services.

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.