Cotter named interim vice president for advancement

Central Michigan University President Bob Davies today announced the appointment of Jennifer Cotter as interim vice president for advancement.

Cotter, previously executive director of development and campaign, has been with the university for a total of 16 years and has been leading advancement and campaign initiatives throughout that time.

“Jennifer has been a vital member of the CMU community for years, first as a student and then as a valuable leader in our advancement and campaign efforts,” Davies said. “She knows and loves this university and has demonstrated outstanding leadership in efforts to build CMU’s culture of philanthropy.” 

Following the departure of CMU’s previous vice president for advancement, Cotter was named a co-leader of CMU’s advancement and alumni engagement efforts, with Marcie Otteman, executive director of alumni relations and constituent engagement. She also held leadership roles in advancement including planned and major gifts officer and director of development for the College of Education and Human Services. 

“As I transition into this role, I remain committed to empowering and engaging alumni and friends to CMU by building a lasting legacy of philanthropy that makes a positive impact on the lives of our students, faculty and academic programs,” Cotter said.

Cotter earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from CMU in 2001. She has been involved in several noteworthy fundraising efforts, including the historic Fire Up for Excellence capital campaign. She also completed the $7.5 million fundraising plan for the College of Education and Human Services building, securing an $800,000 Kresge Foundation challenge grant, and was campaign director for the university’s first comprehensive capital campaign, New Vision of Excellence.