New Mexico State University has selected Cheryl Harrelson as the next vice president for university advancement and president of the NMSU Foundation.
"I'm delighted to offer this position to Cheryl. Fundraising, and other advancement activities, will play an important role in helping us move the university forward," said NMSU President Garrey Carruthers. "The comments regarding her initial visit to Las Cruces were overwhelmingly positive. She is charming and displays a quiet confidence that will benefit NMSU. She has a fantastic resume and I'm certain she will become our newest, best Aggie as head of the NMSU Foundation."
"I am absolutely ecstatic about joining the NMSU team. I think there are great synergies between myself and those I have met," Harrelson said. "I am looking forward to working with the university and the community and building a great advancement program."
Harrelson is a 20-year advancement professional having worked in multiple facets to include fundraising, advancement services, alumni relations, donor relations/stewardship and events. Her career has been in higher education serving James Madison University and two different land-grant institutions: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Washington State University.
Harrelson currently serves as the associate vice president for annual and special gifts, stewardship and special events at Washington State University. She is a member of the Foundation's senior leadership team and oversees an annual giving program that raised a record $16.5 million in fiscal year 2013. She also is involved in Washington State University's $1 billion dollar campaign.
Harrelson received her bachelor's in mathematics/applied science from UCLA, a master's in higher education from UNC-Greensboro and a master's in computer information systems from the University of Phoenix.
Harrelson will start at NMSU May 1 at a salary of $220,000.
For additional information about the NMSU Foundation, visit http://foundation.nmsu.edu.