Heather Patchett named vice president of Institutional Advancement

Heather Patchett

Heather Patchett has been named vice president of Institutional Advancement at Tusculum College and will be assuming her responsibilities on June 1, 2011.

Patchett has more than 20 years experience in all aspects of fund raising, including major gifts, capital campaigns and planned giving programs. She has also managed three departments and has extensive experience working in higher education advancement and development programs.

She has spent the past two years working at Otter Opportunities, providing services to not-for-profit organizations, including fund raising, grant writing and working with research and information systems. She has also managed advancement programs at Converse College, where she served as vice president of Institutional Advancement; at the University of the South, where she served as director of capital gifts, and Gustavus Adolphus College, where she was the director of the Office of Gift Planning.

Patchett will assume the position from Susan D. Vance, a 1991 graduate of Tusculum College, who has served as interim vice president of Institutional Advancement. Vance, who has been with Tusculum College’s Advancement Office since 2003, will continue to serve the college as associate vice president of Institutional Advancement.

“We are very pleased that our search efforts have led us to Heather Patchett. She brings a wealth of experience to the position and will provide strong leadership for an already dedicated and experienced staff,” said Dr. Nancy B. Moody, president of the college.

“Heather will be an excellent addition to our leadership team, and we are all very much looking forward to her becoming part of the Tusculum community.”

As vice president of Institutional Advancement, she will oversee the staff and its departments, including the Offices of Development, College Communications, Alumni Relations, Advancement Services, Church Relations and Special Events. She will manage a donor portfolio and will be responsible for meeting the goals of the Advancement Office in support of the goals and mission of the college. She will also serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and will help guide the overall operation and growth of the institution.

Patchett has a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of the South and a master’s of arts in teaching from Alaska Pacific University.

In her positions with institutions of higher education she has planned budgets, served on the President’s Cabinet and worked closely with members of the Board of Trustees. She has run successful capital campaigns and worked with major gift programs.

At Converse College she participated in a very successful $87.5 million capital campaign, including securing a $15 million major gift.

She is a member of the Spartanburg Evening Lions Club, where she serves as second vice president, and is a member of Westminister Presbyterian Church. She is also a patron of the Lawson Academy of the Arts.