We're much more than a Development Office

Something we've noticed about our reputation around campus: a lot of folks think of us as fundraisers only. Although we're proud of our part in tripling the gifts received by the university over the past four years, our contributions to the university as a division go beyond raising money.

Many of the operations that enhance and enable fundraising efforts -- and that move San José State forward -- are less visible. In fact, the better we're doing those jobs, the less likely you are to notice what we do. For instance, we interact with the media and government officials in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. We work with the campus to brand and market the university to our many audiences. And we update the university's database records and build alumni networks. All of these daily "behind the scenes" activities, and more like them, are vital to our performance as a division and critical to the mission of the university.

Good neighbors

"Enhancing our successful relationships with Silicon Valley has long been a priority for San José State," says Nancy Stake, director of government and community relations. "In our government and community relations work, we have supported this strategic goal by serving as a liaison to community business and civic groups, participating in their activities, hosting key community events on campus, and keeping people informed about campus news and activities. We also work with elected officials at the local, state and federal levels, providing the university's perspective on pending legislation that impacts higher education."

Two years ago, Stake began sending electronic SJSU news updates to the leaders of approximately 60 neighborhoods located near campus. As a direct result of that initiative, both University Police Chief Andre Barnes and Associate Vice President for Public Affairs Larry Carr were invited to speak at neighborhood association meetings, and several neighborhood association newsletters now include SJSU news and updates.

"Our growing community outreach efforts have enhanced our communications with the community and the university's reputation as a good neighbor," Stake says.

Nancy Stake received both her undergraduate degree in liberal arts and her master's degree in mass communications from SJSU. An employee of the university for the past 11 years, she previously worked in the field of high-tech public relations. In 2007, she was promoted to director of government and community relations at SJSU.

Major news coverage

Director of Media Relations Pat Lopes Harris's experience as a news reporter stands her in good stead for her fast-paced, deadline-driven job at SJSU. Harris oversees all communications with print, television and radio reporters for the university. It is her responsibility to research, write, edit and distribute news releases on university policy, personnel, events, substantial gifts to the university, and much else.

As a follow-up to each news announcement, Harris talks to key print and broadcast reporters to explain the importance of the news and to arrange, as necessary, interviews with university spokespersons. The weekly university newsletter she writes ensures that SJSU maintains a high profile in newspapers and magazines, on radio and television, and on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Her efforts result in the major news coverage that keeps the region thinking about San José State. See coverage highlights from 2008-09.

Pat Lopes Harris previously worked for the San Jose Mercury News as a staff writer and for the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal as a healthcare reporter. She joined the Advancement team in 2006 as media relations specialist and was promoted to media relations director in 2008. She is a Rhodes Scholar and a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Washington and Lee University, where she majored in political science and journalism.

Entertaining excellence

The university has events to recognize excellence, celebrate achievement and to provide a means for our community to get together socially. Depending on the time of year, University Advancement coordinates and oversees two to three events each month -- or that same number each week. Event Coordinator Sheri Bragg runs each of these faculty/staff and community events, which are sometimes held at President Whitmore's home.

Through neighborhood Open Houses, presidential dinners, events for university partners like Target, and annual events to honor United Way volunteers, the Whitmores give a San José State-style welcome to guests at their home. And Bragg is there to help. From guest lists and invitations to the menu, flowers and placecards, Bragg's duties are all-encompassing. She oversees all aspects of the events, and works with Mrs. Whitmore from start to finish to organize events that build pride in the university.

Sheri Bragg is an SJSU alumna and a native of San José who began her career at SJSU in 1998 in Intercollegiate Athletics, serving as assistant to the associate athletic director for external operations. In 2007, she joined the Advancement team as event coordinator and has helped orchestrate events celebrating SJSU's 150th anniversary, former President Don Kassing's farewell party, Tower Awards dinners, and many others.

New connections

Nancy Stewart, director of annual giving and special gifts, has been working to get new alumni engaged with the university -- both before they graduate and immediately afterward. "We began to rejuvenate the Senior Gift Program two years ago. In 2008, we launched our brand new First-Year Alumni Program to create an increased connection with SJSU as graduates transition from students to alumni."

Regarding the First-Year Alumni Program, initial results have been promising. The Annual Giving and Special Gifts office has received a banner number of responses from recent graduates and there has been a rise in requests for information about Alumni Association membership. Stewart says: "The results we're seeing show that we are making the right connections with these new alumni -- connections we hope will lead to increased support and engagement in the years to come."

Nancy Stewart came to SJSU in 2003 to work on prospect research. In 2004, she moved to the newly formed Office of Annual Giving to direct the Annual Giving and Special Gifts unit. Directly before coming to SJSU, she worked as the business program manager for Ricoh Silicon Valley's Customer Service and Support Group.

Record-keeping powerhouse

Advancement Services keeps track of the details of alumni connections, new and old. The unit is responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date biographic and demographic information in the university's database. "Advancement Services is a small but mighty shop within University Advancement," says Manager Maria Ramirez.

In addition to database management, Ramirez's team of four full-time gift analysts and five part-time student employees processes monetary donations to the university and Tower Foundation, matching gifts, non-monetary Gifts-in-Kind, gifts of stocks, and gift pledges. All must be scrupulously processed according to IRS regulations, federal and state tax laws, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and the CSU Chancellor's Office guidelines.

Maria Ramirez began working for Advancement Services as a work-study student in the spring of 1994. In 1998, she returned to work full-time as a senior data clerk. In 2000, she was promoted to gift processing coordinator and continued to climb the ranks to lead gift processing coordinator. Now in her fifteenth year with Advancement Services, she serves as the unit's manager.

Spreading Spartan style

San José State has a lot of style -- thanks to its four-person communications team: Designer and Brand Specialist Eunice Ockerman, Graphic Designer Peter Caravalho, a design intern, and Writer/Web Content Editor Jody Ulate. During the past academic year, the group directed a refresh of the university logo, an in-depth graphics standards and style guide and writing guidelines, and worked with the colleges on implementation. Introducing a strong university brand, consistent key messages and using one logo will continue to improve San José State's image.

The impact of this work is felt all over campus. Marketing collateral for colleges and divisions highlights the excellence of our programs and people. And the university's magazine, SJSU Washington Square, helps to tell the stories of San José State. The communications team is also responsible for writing and design of numerous university publications including annual reports, the Commencement program, Homecoming collateral and high-profile portions of the university website.

The group is awaiting a new director of communications.