Penn State has named Alyssa M. Wilcox its vice president for development and alumni relations, the university announced Monday. Wilcox will step into the role effective Monday, January 13, the first day of Penn State’s spring 2025 semester.

As vice president, Wilcox will lead Penn State’s work with frontline fundraising, alumni relations, event planning, major gift cultivation, corporate and foundation relations, and more. She’ll manage a budget of more than $67 million and nearly 600 full-time professional staff members in the Penn State Alumni Association and the Office of University Development.

“This is an amazing opportunity to join Penn State, one of the world’s best universities with the largest alumni base in the nation and its strong brand identity,” Wilcox said in a statement. “I am thrilled to bring my experience in the philanthropic space to a complex, comprehensive organization like Penn State. The deeply dedicated community of alumni, families and others offers so many opportunities to engage.” 

Wilcox will succeed O. Richard Bundy III, who stepped down in 2023. David Lieb has since served in the role on an interim basis. 

“Alyssa has a clear grasp of Penn State’s academic, research and service missions, with the deep understanding of how we work to benefit those throughout the commonwealth and beyond, and the strategic foresight to advance our efforts,” Neeli Bendapudi said in a statement. “Alyssa is a committed leader who brings both her experience and enthusiasm to the team as we guide and elevate the passionate support of our alumni and friends.” 

Wilcox came to Penn State from a role at Purdue, where she served as the president’s chief of staff, senior vice president for partnerships and the senior associate vice president for advancement at the affiliated Purdue for Life Foundation. She also has experience working with the Riley Children’s Foundation, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Connecticut Foundation.

Wilcox previously served two years in the United States Peace Corps in Cameroon.  She earned a master of business administration degree in UConn and a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Mary’s College.

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Joe Lister

Joe, shockingly, was Onward State's managing editor from 2024-25. It was an honor. He's off employed doing journalism things, hopefully. If you want to complain about anything he's ever written, you can find him on Twitter (iamjoelister), email (jlister2021@gmail.com), or Signal (iamjoelister.93).

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