Fulbright College Expands Development Team With New Key Leadership

Photo by Brandon Ngo

Becca Bradley, left, Olivia Graham, and Autumn Spicher.

Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences alumnae Becca Bradley and Autumn Spicher have been appointed to lead the college’s fundraising efforts, effective June 17. Arkansas native Olivia Graham also joins Bradley and Spicher on the Fulbright College development team. 

Filling these key Fulbright College leadership roles also coincides with Brian E. Raines succeeding interim dean Kathryn Sloan. Raines comes to the U of A after a 20-year tenure at Baylor University, where he most recently served as professor of mathematics, faculty regent and associate dean for research. 

“I am very excited to be joining Fulbright College as its new dean, and to get to embark on this adventure with such amazing new development professionals at the same time is even better,” said Raines, who starts in his new role on July 1.  

“Together and coupled with our outstanding existing leaders, our new colleagues will be well poised to lead Fulbright College into a new era of fundraising, which will ultimately help us to create more opportunity, access and success for our students,” Raines said. 

“Because that is the true power of philanthropy – to pay it forward, to help the next generation of leaders emerge and to do so by giving them the best education possible, so they then can find ways themselves to become positive change-makers,” he added.

ABOUT BECCA BRADLEY

Fulbright College alumna Bradley returns to campus as the college’s senior director of development with more than 16 years of experience in fundraising, constituent relations, leadership and business development across the higher education, non-profit, federal government and private sectors. In her new role, Bradley will lead the Fulbright College fundraising team and be responsible for all oversight and strategic execution of fundraising initiatives to support the university and college priorities and achieve the college’s fundraising goals. 

Bradley previously served on the staff of U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor for five years in Washington, D.C., and worked as a development assistant at the national headquarters of National Public Radio. She then worked as associate director for philanthropy at UW Medicine in Seattle before returning to Fayetteville and serving as associate director of development for the U of A’s Sam M. Walton College of Business. Most recently, Bradley served as the senior director of corporate and foundation relations with UAMS. 

“It is exciting to return to Fulbright College in this role and partner with an outstanding team to advance the initiatives of the college and our campus priorities,” Bradley said. “I am inspired by the incredible support of our loyal alumni and benefactors, who make transformational change happen for our students, campus, the state and beyond. Fulbright College is a beacon for higher education across Arkansas, and I look forward to serving our extraordinary students, faculty and friends.” 

As a student, Bradley was the vice president of the Associated Student Government. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in higher education, both from the U of A. Bradley has a great passion for making a positive impact across Arkansas through philanthropy, and she was named to the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal's 2021 class of Forty Under 40 honorees.

“The knowledge, passion and commitment these two accomplished alumnae bring home to Fulbright College will be felt immediately,” said Sandy Edwards, senior adviser for advancement. “They are the dream team to help share the strength and impact of the college and achieve our ambitious goals.”

ABOUT AUTUMN SPICHER

Alumna Spicher has taken on the role of director of development and strategy for Fulbright College and brings to it more than a decade of experience in development, external relations and communications across the higher education, non-profit and government sectors. In her new position, Spicher provides strategic oversight of the fundraising efforts for Fulbright College and works with constituents to identify and steward a portfolio of donors to advance priorities for the college and support initiatives of the university.  

Spicher previously worked in Washington, D.C., after graduation, serving as a staff assistant in the office of U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor and as a development officer and state policy analyst for the National Council on Teacher Quality. After returning to Fayetteville, she worked as assistant director of development for the U of A’s College of Engineering then as associate director of placement and operations for the Arkansas Academy for Educational Equity. Most recently, Spicher served as the director of development for the U of A’s Honors College. 

“I am deeply honored and incredibly excited to join Fulbright College as its new director of development and strategy,” Spicher said. “As a graduate of this esteemed institution, I am deeply committed to fostering its growth and impact, and I look forward to collaborating with alumni, faculty and staff to propel our shared vision forward.”

Spicher served as the Associated Student Government chief of staff as a student. She earned bachelor's degrees in political science and economics, summa cum laude, and a master’s degree in public administration, all from the U of A. Spicher was the first in her family to attend college, and she was selected as a Northwest Arkansas Business Journal's class of 2022 Forty Under 40 honoree. Spicher is a current member of the Chancellor’s Commission on Women and a life member of the Arkansas Alumni Association. 

“Becca and Autumn demonstrate a deep understanding of philanthropy and commitment to the mission and values of Fulbright College and the University of Arkansas,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “We are excited that Olivia has also joined us and to have this exceptional team advancing the fundraising priorities of the college, ensuring heightened momentum and success in the future.”

ABOUT OLIVIA GRAHAM

Arkansas native Graham also joined Fulbright College in June to serve as development manager after previously working as assistant director of development with Southern Arkansas University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a master’s degree in higher, adult and lifelong learning from Southern Arkansas University. 

“As a passionate advocate for education and philanthropy, I am honored to join the Fulbright College development team and University Advancement,” Graham said. “I am eager to contribute to our university’s success and can't wait to see what the future holds for us.”

The new team will work closely alongside Betsy Bushmiaer, director of constituent relations, and Carl Riley, associate director of scholarships in Fulbright College, as well as colleagues across campus and the Division of Advancement. 

“Having Becca, Autumn and Olivia join our Fulbright College development team is a true honor and game-changer,”  Dean Raines said. “I look forward to working with them and to accomplishing great things together for the college and our students.”

About University Advancement: University Advancement advances the mission of the University of Arkansas by raising private gift support from alumni, friends, parents, foundations, corporations, and other institutional supporters. Working in philanthropic partnership with academic leaders and volunteers, Advancement team members are determined to advance the people, work, and impact of the greater whole at the University of Arkansas.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.