The UW Tacoma recently named Carol Van Natta as director of development and alumni relations. Van Natta comes to UW Tacoma by way of Colorado, where she was director of development for the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver.
Originally from Vancouver, Van Natta is no stranger to the UW. In the 1970s and 1980s she was a member of the advancement staff in Seattle, and has maintained close ties with many friends and professional colleagues in the Puget Sound area.
Van Natta has experience in all aspects of institutional advancement, including major and annual gifts, alumni relations and strategic development planning. She holds a bachelor鈥檚 in English from Portland State University and a master鈥檚 in public administration from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She brings more than 20 years of experience and a record of success in fund raising, public relations, special events and budget management. She sees her new role at UW Tacoma as an opportunity to continue to strengthen the institution鈥檚 connection to the South Sound community.
鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to be involved in this type of challenge, especially to have the opportunity to help build a young and fast-growing institution, create new educational opportunities and contribute to the city鈥檚 economic development,鈥� she says.
鈥淚 hope to be able to help Chancellor Carwein and other University leaders persuade the philanthropic community 鈥� individuals, corporations, foundations 鈥� that an investment in UWT will produce tremendous returns both in the short and long term. Now, more than ever, our public institutions need private support. Scholarships, endowments to attract and retain outstanding faculty, support for new programs and facilities 鈥� all are important priorities.鈥�
At a time when state support for Washington鈥檚 colleges and universities is decreasing and more and more difficult to acquire, continued and vigorous philanthropic investment in this campus is vital, says UW Tacoma Chancellor Vicky Carwein.
鈥淚 am confident Carol鈥檚 experience and leadership in this arena will help UWT continue to attract significant investment,鈥� says Carwein.