It’s bittersweet that I announce I’m leaving Gaylord College after nearly two years. If you told me when I was graduating with my journalism degree in 2015 that I would have the opportunity to work for the best college on campus years later, I wouldn’t have believed it.
It was such an honor to join the faculty and staff in the fall of 2021, many of whom I knew from my time as a student. In my role as the development director, I was tasked with building relationships with alumni, donors, and friends of Gaylord — it was an incredible experience. Alongside leadership, we were able to elevate the programs and create new ones. We brought alumni to campus who hadn’t visited since the 1980s. We awarded more scholarships than ever before. We sent students all over the country, even abroad to London and as far as Bangladesh to report on global issues.
I wasn’t anticipating a change so soon, but sometimes opportunities come our way that we can’t turn down. Being recruited by OU Women’s Basketball head coach Jennie Baranczyk is one of those. I will be moving to south campus (in the flashy Lloyd Noble Center) and joining her staff as the new director of recruiting and branding strategy.
Meantime, Gaylord College is in great hands. Emily Reed, CFRE, executive director of advancement for Norman campus will serve in my place until the new fundraiser is hired. She can be reached at emilymapes@ou.edu.
As an involved alumnus and donor, this isn’t goodbye, just a “see you around!” Thank you for making the last two years some of the best of my career. Go, Gaylord!
