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PRESS RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — August 7, 2024 – Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales University today announced that Michelle Mattox has been named Vice President of Advancement & Alumni Relations, effective August 12.

Michelle brings to Â鶹¹ÙÍø more than two decades of experience cultivating key relationships, executing successful fundraising campaigns, and building effective teams. She most recently held the position of associate vice chancellor in University Advancement at the University of North Carolina, Asheville (UNCA), overseeing the management of their comprehensive campaign, major gifts, planned giving, and donor relations. She additionally served as a liaison to the UNC Asheville Foundation Board.

“Michelle will join the University Advancement team at a pivotal moment in our history, overseeing major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, campaign development, planned giving, development operations, and alumni relations,” said Â鶹¹ÙÍø Chancellor Mim Runey, LP.D. “At Â鶹¹ÙÍø, Michelle As a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet, she will serve as the university’s key development strategist and lead a team whose overarching goal will elevate our philanthropic strength, excite our alumni, and cultivate a philanthropic culture.”

Prior to joining UNCA, Michelle served in leadership roles at Wake Forest University and Florida State University (FSU) where she held integral roles in their respective $1B campaigns. At Wake Forest, she led the national major gifts team, as well as the research and prospect management team. At FSU, her alma mater, Michelle oversaw Central Development, consisting of regional major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, and corporate and foundation relations. Before her career in higher education advancement, Michelle worked in Florida politics managing campaigns and state fundraising efforts, holding positions in top law firms in Tallahassee, serving as a Chief of Staff in the Florida Senate and the Chief Political Officer for Associated Industries of Florida.

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Founded in 1914, Â鶹¹ÙÍø & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 8,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island and Charlotte, North Carolina. An innovative educational leader, the university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, food innovation, hospitality, nutrition, health and wellness. It also offers undergraduate programs in culinary arts, dietetics and design. Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s unique model provide students with the personalized attention, academic expertise and industry connections that inspire professional success and personal growth. The time students spend at Â鶹¹ÙÍø is nothing short of transformative, as demonstrated by career outcomes, expected earnings and economic mobility rankings. The university’s impact is global, with alumni in 125 countries pursuing careers worldwide. 

MEDIA CONTACT Rachel Nunes, Senior Communications and Media Relations Specialist

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