St. Cloud State University today announced the appointment of Heather Pieper-Olson as its new Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Engagement, effective July 6, 2026. A seasoned advancement leader with deep roots in Central Minnesota, Pieper-Olson brings a proven record of fundraising success, strategic leadership, and community engagement.
Pieper-Olson most recently served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at the College of Saint Benedict, where she led a 22-member advancement team and oversaw integrated fundraising and engagement efforts. Under her leadership, the college consistently raised more than $15 million annually and actively engaged over 12,000 alumnae.
“Heather’s exceptional track record in building philanthropic support, strengthening alumni engagement, and leading high-performing teams makes her the right leader at the right time for our university,” said President Tomso. “Her experience, energy, and deep connection to this region will help us advance our mission and create new opportunities for our students and campus community.”
Throughout her career, Pieper-Olson has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding access and opportunity through philanthropy. As associate vice president beginning in 2017, she led significant growth in major and planned giving that resulted in nearly $48 million raised for endowment and more than 300% growth in funded scholarship aid at Saint Benedict—advancing critical financial support for students.
“I am honored to join SCSU at such an important moment,” said Pieper-Olson. “This institution plays a vital role in the region, and I look forward to working alongside campus partners, alumni, and donors to strengthen relationships and build the support needed to help students succeed and the university thrive.”
Pieper-Olson’s professional background includes experience as an attorney with the St. Cloud office of Gray Plant Mooty, where she practiced general litigation and served as counselor attorney to the Mexican Consulate in Saint Paul. She later transitioned to advancement, building a career marked by increasing leadership responsibility across all facets of institutional advancement.
A Minnesota native, Pieper-Olson was born in Minneapolis and is a graduate of the College of Charleston, where she earned degrees in anthropology and Spanish and was a four-time varsity volleyball letter winner and three-time team captain. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School.
She maintains strong ties to the St. Cloud area, including prior service as a graduate assistant volleyball coach at St. Cloud State University. An active community member, she has served on the board of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation and remains involved in local athletics and community initiatives.
As Vice President for Advancement, Pieper-Olson will lead the university’s efforts to strengthen philanthropic support, deepen alumni and community engagement, and advance strategic partnerships that support institutional priorities and long-term sustainability.
