About University Advancement
We are mission-driven
Every aspect of the division’s work is done in support of a campus that is a jewel of the University of California system. Whether in a classroom, research setting, or campus office, UC Santa Cruz people are renowned for the quality of their work, for doing the unexpected, and for challenging conventional thinking; in the process, they are helping to create new knowledge and make real change.
University Advancement elevates the reputation of the institution by highlighting the work of faculty, staff, and students; works to strengthen relationships with stakeholders; and raises resources for the university. This work is essential for developing critically needed private gifts along with other forms of support benefiting students and research.
Leadership
University Advancement operates under the leadership of Vice Chancellor of University Advancement Mark Delos Reyes Davis and a senior leadership team.
View the leadership team members.
Team
The University Advancement team includes professionals in communications; alumni, government, and community relations; development and donor relations; events; and much more. View the full team.
Under the leadership of the VCUA, University Advancement consists of the following units:
Alumni Engagement
The Alumni Engagement unit oversees a comprehensive alumni engagement plan for UC Santa Cruz, building meaningful and mutually beneficial lifelong relationships with alumni to promote philanthropy, mobilize for advocacy, and provide opportunities to the campus and its students.
Constituent and Donor Engagement
Constituent and Donor Engagement focuses on engaging and inspiring university donors, key alumni, and other friends through impactful events, development, and alumni communications. This unit includes Advancement Communications, Executive Engagement, Prospect Development, and University Events.
Communications and Marketing
Communications and Marketing presents and interprets UC Santa Cruz and its achievements and aspirations through multimedia platforms, enhancing the campus’s reputation and inspiring awareness and support. Media relations, marketing, branding and visual standards, campuswide web pages including the homepage and News Center, and constituent communications are among the unit’s areas of responsibility.
Development
Development includes regional, major, and principal gifts; planned giving; annual giving; leadership annual giving; and foundation relations. The unit focuses on building high-level, personalized relationships with prospective donors to attract philanthropic investments that strengthen and advance campus initiatives and priorities.
Government and Community Relations
Government and Community Relations serves as the primary liaison between campus and government agencies and officials at all levels to facilitate dialogue and information-sharing. The unit also works proactively with city and county officials, community groups, and local organizations to bridge town-gown relationships and increase partnership opportunities.
Information Management
Information Management is comprised of Information Services, Data Management, and Gift Administration and Stewardship. The unit provides insights and information through reports, accepts and processes gifts, and maintains important data sets that help the Development and Alumni Engagement teams build and maintain relationships that result in support for the university.
Innovation & Business Engagement Hub
The UC Santa Cruz Innovation & Business Engagement Hub (IBE Hub) is the point of entry for industry partners to connect with discoveries, innovation, resources, and talent. The IBE Hub team facilitates comprehensive relationships and coordinated engagement across campus academic, research, administrative, and business units as well as the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem based on corporate areas of interest and strategic opportunities.
Operations and Finance
Operations and Finance supports University Advancement by assisting in hiring, training, and retaining outstanding staff; advising and assisting in managing UA resources (human, financial, and space/environment); and ensuring UA staff are safe, comfortable, and productive in their work.