In August, Nic Katona was appointed Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement at St. Cloud State, a position previously held by Matt Andrew before his retirement last June.
Katona’s leadership will advance the University’s It’s Time framework, while his experience will inform a strategy that will showcase St. Cloud State’s distinctive qualities and leverage relationships to boldly share the future of the University.
“It’s an exciting time to join St. Cloud State,” Katona said. “The It’s Time framework provides opportunities to grow in areas of strength like teaching, research and ensuring education is available for all. The impact experienced here is inspiring and I am excited to be part of the Husky community.”
Leading higher education teams for twenty years, the past eight years in England, Katona brings a global perspective to fundraising and alumni relations. As the Vice President at both Birkbeck, a College of the University of London system, and the University of Leicester, he built institutional processes to help develop an environment of collaboration and support for giving and alumni engagement.
Prior to his work in England, Katona worked in a variety of organizations and higher education institutions in the United States, including senior roles with the John G. Shedd Aquarium, After School Matters and The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, all located in Chicago. Prior to this, he served the University of California-San Diego, where he supported Engineering and established a strategic fundraising plan for the LGBT Resource Center. While at the University of Michigan, Katona developed and launched a new reunion program that increased reunion giving by $38 million. At George Washington University and Valparaiso University, he increased annual giving and young alumni giving by an average of 38%.
“Working with alumni and supporters throughout my career has been extremely rewarding,” Katona said. “The ability to match the interests of our community members with the needs of the institution has led to many fulfilling and impactful relationships. It’s my pleasure to assist someone in giving of their time, talent, and treasure to an organization they believe in.”
Katona arrived at St. Cloud State to assist in the completion of the Unleash the Future campaign, which has raised well over the $32 million goal initially set, and he will continue to lead University Advancement and Alumni Engagement to grow and strengthen the offerings of the University.
“Education is extremely powerful and important to our students, alumni, community and society. St. Cloud State has a powerful voice and an important mission to fulfill within the region, country and around the world,” Katona said. “We will only be able to maximize the impact of It’s Time with the help and support of our alumni, supporters and friends. I look forward to meeting many of them in the coming years and thank them in advance for their support of St. Cloud State.”
