Dec. 13, 2011
Catholic University President John Garvey has appointed H. Ken DeDominicis as the University's new vice president for institutional advancement.
As head of institutional advancement, DeDominicis will oversee the development and alumni relations offices. DeDominicis will direct activities that advance the University in outside arenas, the "major byproduct" of which is fundraising, he explains.
DeDominicis has 26 years of experience in advancement work at institutions of higher education. He has planned numerous large fundraising campaigns and secured hundreds of millions of dollars for campus projects. He has developed award-winning integrated marketing programs, including university logo designs.
Previously, DeDominicis was vice president for institutional advancement at the University of St. Thomas in Houston and Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. In addition, he was associate vice chancellor for development for North Carolina State University and senior development officer/campaign manager at Cornell University.
While at the University of St. Thomas, DeDominicis raised $67 million in the largest capital campaign in the institution's history. During his time at Texas A&M, in less than a decade, he raised more funds than had been raised in the previous 20 years, and he quadrupled the number of major gifts. He organized A&M's first capital campaign, raising $22 million against a goal of $15 million.
"Ken DeDominicis has a proven track record of building highly effective advancement operations, and his accomplishments in the fundraising area speak for themselves," says President Garvey. "We wanted a new vice president for advancement who would not only embrace our Catholic mission but would also take us to the level of philanthropic support we need for our future development. I am confident we have found that person in Ken DeDominicis."
DeDominicis says his first order of business at Catholic University is to assess the "advancement operational needs to support the Strategic Plan of the University," the soon-to-be-formalized plan that outlines the University's top priorities for the next 10 years. The corollary 15-year Master Plan calls for big changes to the layout of campus, including the construction of new academic and residential buildings, chapels, and a student activity center.
DeDominicis holds a master of public administration from North Carolina State University and a bachelor's in English from LaSalle University. He has completed some doctoral studies in higher education administration and public policy at Cornell University and the University of Houston.
DeDominicis is fluent in several languages, including Russian, which he employed as a communications technology specialist for the U.S. Army Security Agency. He has held leadership positions in various community service organizations.
DeDominicis begins work mid-January, after he and his wife, Molly, move to the area.
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