The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

USC dean named new VP

A senior associate dean at the University of Southern California (USC) was appointed the new Northeastern senior vice president for advancement, the university announced yesterday.

Diane Nishigaya MacGillivray will work to develop and execute fund-raising strategies and manage efforts in planned giving and major gifts. Robert Cunningham, former senior vice president of advancement, stepped down in February after six years in the position, said Laura Shea, assistant director of communications and public relations.

In August, after the completion of his $200 million fund-raising campaign, Cunningham stepped away from the day-to-day responsibilities of running the advancement operation to focus on cultivating major gifts for the university. George Triantaris served as interim senior vice president, but had no intention to continue in the position, Shea said.

Shea said Edward W. Kelly and Partners, an executive search firm, was in charge of interviewing candidates and finding a replacement for Cunningham. MacGillivray met with several deans and the other senior vice presidents before she was hired, Shea said.

MacGillivray will move to Boston with her husband and 12-year-old daughter to officially begin her position July 1.

She worked in advancement at the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences under President Joseph Aoun, who was then dean of the college, and directed an ongoing $400 million Tradition and Innovation fund-raising initiative. She also oversaw the development of the college’s annual giving society, parents’ program and international fund-raising efforts.

“I have devoted my entire career to private higher education because I deeply value its role in shaping young lives,” she said in a university statement.

She has a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s in 19th century British history from USC.

“I have seen her skill, enthusiasm and dedication for her work firsthand,” Aoun said in a statement. “We are very happy to have such an accomplished advancement professional join us at this important time for the university.”

MacGillivray will oversee the advancement operation, which includes the offices of alumni relations, development, corporate partners, corporations and foundations.

“I am excited to join a university with such a distinctive approach to serving its students and helping it build to support to sustain that mission,” she said in the statement.

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