Institute Focus

Is your organization prepared for our next generation of donors? Major/principal gift donor expectations have changed a bit in recent years. We will explore and discuss what is important to our donors today as they invest in our Honors colleges and programs. 

This summer institute will focus on development with an emphasis on (fund)RAISING Honors. Our capacity for development work is enhanced when we shift our emphasis from raising funds to raising Honors.  

Honors programs are relatively young in comparison to the lifespan of a university, meaning that each of our graduates are early career professionals.  Our alumni had close ties to both honors and their home academic college.  While these facts may seem like obstacles, there are many opportunities to engage alumni, community members, and industry professionals in support of honors.   

The secret to successful development work is simple.  Every honors program has incredible value to offer.  The key is finding effective ways to share your bold and compelling vision, impactful stories and then creating meaningful ways for donors to engage with you.  Join us for an institute designed to develop and refine your skills in development. 

Audience

This session is designed for honors faculty, staff, and administrators who are interested in enhancing the development of their program or college. (Unsure if this session is for you? Contact a facilitator for more information.)

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• • Develop a bold and compelling vision for your honors program/college
• • Articulate your vision and impact
• • Align your honors program with essential steps of an effective fundraising plan
• • Develop a plan of action for fundraising

View the Event Agenda

Facilitators

Rebecca Bott-Knutson, South Dakota State University

• Becky Bott-Knutson is Dean of the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College and a tenured full professor at South Dakota State University. Becky actively contributes to the scholarship of honors, having published 13 peer-reviewed articles on honors education since 2018. She has held extension, teaching, and research appointments in the Department of Animal Science. Becky has contributed to study abroad opportunities for students in China, Central America, and Ireland and has taught fifteen courses at SDSU. She received her B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia, her M.S. in Animal Science from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Ph.D. in Biomedical Science from Colorado State University. She provides comprehensive leadership for the curriculum, programming, strategic planning, development, and community of the Honors College. Dean Bott-Knutson served as the immediate past Chair of the NCHC Professional Development Committee and serves as the Co-Chair of the Student Engagement Committee for the Council of Honors Education.

Keith Mahlum, South Dakota State University

• Keith Mahlum has served as the Vice President for Development for the SDSU Foundation since 2008. He previously served as the Assistant Athletic Director for the SDSU Athletic Department. He earned his bachelor of science degree in health, physical education and recreation/sports management from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1991. He earned his master's in health, physical education and recreation /athletic administration from SDSU in 1993.

Questions? Contact the NCHC office at (402) 472-9150 or hello@nchchonors.org