Transylvania University recently welcomed a new associate vice president for advancement with a wealth of experience in relationship management, including in higher ed philanthropy.
Matthew Briggs, who began his new role Monday, looks forward to strengthening connections with alumni and other friends of the university in ways that advance the school’s mission.
He’s working with Kara Little Covert ’90, who became vice president for advancement earlier this year, and other colleagues in the alumni and development office on team building and establishing priorities.
High on Briggs’ to-do list is having conversations with supporters of Transylvania. “We’re looking to continue engaging and bettering relationships with donors, which could be alums or other friends of the university, to see what excites them about the work we’re doing here and build partnerships with them.”
He also looks forward to the advancement opportunities that will come along with Transylvania’s 250th anniversary in 2030. He said it’s a great time to celebrate the school’s history and impact its future through philanthropy.
Briggs made the most out of fundraising opportunities at a variety of other institutions where he’s worked, including the University of Kentucky College of Engineering, UK HealthCare, Baptist Health Foundation and United Way of the Bluegrass.
He and his wife, Christina, who works for UK HealthCare, live in Lexington along with their daughter Madison, 11, and son Maddox, 9.
Before starting in his new role at Transylvania, Matthew Briggs already knew the reputation Transylvania has as a highly regarded academic institution — one that alumni feel a strong affinity toward.
It’s also a place where the students make close connections. The first time Briggs took a tour of campus, everyone who walked past seemed to know the student guide. “I immediately saw that it was that close-knit community of people that would be a fun place to work,” he said.
It reminded him of his own positive experience as a student at the University of Evansville. “From my initial impression, I got that same feeling of Transylvania University being just such a friendly, welcoming place,” he said.