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I am excited to share that Stephanie Ann Jones will be joining the College of Fine Arts as our new chief development officer. She comes to us with more than 20 years of fundraising experience in higher education institutions, arts organizations and nonprofits, and she will step into this role Nov. 10.

Stephanie most recently held the role of senior director of special initiatives at Amherst College. Prior to that, she served in a number of roles at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health), including interim chief development officer, executive director of program development and campaign management, and senior director of constituent relations and special projects.

Prior to joining UTMB Health, she specialized in arts leadership and fundraising. A classically trained soprano who sang professionally with prominent regional opera companies in the United States and as a repeat soloist at Carnegie Hall, she pursued a career in arts management with the Boston Pops and the Cultural Organization of Lowell. As an arts fundraiser, she served as director of development at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and senior director of events and league relations for the Houston Symphony.

Stephanie first began her career as an educator, teaching Latin, music history and voice performance at private K-12 schools in Texas and New England. She graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College with a double major in classics and music and holds master’s degrees in music from Smith College and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She recently completed her doctorate in educational leadership with a specialization in higher education at West Texas A&M University.

I want to thank our search committee, as well as Natalie Seeboth, who has been serving as interim chief development officer in recent months during this search and transition period. I also want to thank current Advisory Council Chair Amy Hofland and our two most recent past chairs, Susanna Moldawer and Caroline Schupbach, for their participation in the interview and recruitment process. I know Stephanie left her conversation with Amy, Susanna and Caroline with real enthusiasm for engaging the work of the Advisory Council and excitement about her encounter with such a committed group of advocates, philanthropists and volunteers helping us advance the arts on our campus, across the state of Texas and in the world.

I am happy to report that Stephanie will be joining for the Advisory Council meeting on Nov. 21, and I look forward to facilitating a conversation with her to introduce her properly to our community. Please remember to RSVP if you have not had the chance already.

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Stephanie. She will be stepping in to lead a very successful team, and I’m confident she’ll be well-positioned to build on the great work of her predecessors.

Sincerely,