News
Roberts Appoints New Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Following a nationwide search, Roberts Wesleyan College is pleased to welcome Alexander Jones as vice president for institutional advancement for the college and Northeastern Seminary. Jones assumed his role on July 6 and will provide vision, leadership and direction to the advancement team in support of the college’s mission to provide transformational, Christ-centered higher-education opportunities rooted in character development and service.
As vice president of institutional advancement, Jones will manage all aspects of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary’s advancement activities, including major giving, donor development, grants and corporate relations, fundraising, alumni and church relations, planned giving and capital campaigns. He will also represent the college and seminary through service on the president’s cabinet and other assigned committees, and will travel extensively, cultivating relationships with alumni and donors on behalf of the institutions.
“It was clear from our earliest conversations with Alex that his commitment to the value of Christian higher education and his expertise in advancement will bring new ideas and thinking to the work we do,” Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary President Deana L. Porterfield said. “I am confident his experience will help us meet our advancement goals and create a model for the future.”
Jones joins the Roberts community at an exciting time, as the college recently broke ground on its $15 million Golisano Community Engagement Center, a 25,000-square-foot, two-story center on the Roberts campus that will serve as a hub for connection, collaboration and student life resources. The innovative new center is funded by the Connect the Community capital campaign, an effort Jones will lead on behalf of the advancement team. The campaign has raised funds from major donors and partners, including a $7.5 million gift from Paychex founder and philanthropist Tom Golisano. To date, $11,252,388 million of the $15 million goal has been raised for the center and fundraising will continue until completion.
“I’ve spent many years building bridges in higher education, advancing the mission of the Christian liberal arts through engaging alumni and leadership-level investors,” Jones said. “I look forward to bringing that same drive, spirit and vision to the Roberts Wesleyan and Northeastern Seminary community to steward donor relations and foster strategic partnerships that will serve the college and seminary in sustainable ways for many years to come.”
Jones joins the Roberts team from Wheaton College, where he served in several leadership roles, most recently as regional director of development where he provided strategic oversight for the transformative, principle, and major giving program in the region. He is completing his Ph.D in higher education from Azusa Pacific University and his MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. Jones earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Wheaton College. He and his family are in the process of relocating to the Rochester area.