Saint Martin’s University announces new VP
November 22, 2011
LACEY,
WASHINGTON —Saint Martin’s President Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D.
has named Rosanne Nichols the University’s new vice president
for institutional advancement.
Nichols has more than 20 years of fundraising, marketing and
communications experience, having directed campaigns for a wide
range of global corporate and nonprofit entities, including the
heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, Inc., the University
of Washington, and the relief and development organizations of
World Vision and World Concern. Most recently, she served as
director of external relations for Tacoma’s Museum of Glass.
Early in her career, Nichols decided to devote herself to
nonprofit work raising awareness and funds for causes closest to
her heart: higher education, international relief, care for AIDS
orphans and vulnerable children, and work empowerment
opportunities for women. Among her first accomplishments
following that decision was the successful management of the
public phase of the “Campaign for Washington,” generating more
than $30 million for all of the University of Washington’s 18
schools and colleges, athletic programs, and the alumni
association’s reunion class gift funds.
“Rosanne offers proven leadership that will be critical to
Saint Martin’s as we continue to grow our campus and our
programs,” says Heynderickx. “Her fundraising experience,
combined with her passion for Saint Martin’s Benedictine
mission, make her a great fit for the University. Rosanne’s high
energy, strategic vision and entrepreneurial spirit will serve
the Saint Martin’s community well.”
Says Nichols, “I am thrilled to join such a dynamic team of
people at this crucial time in Saint Martin’s history.”
Nichols holds a Master of Business Administration in marketing
management from Golden Gate University and Bachelor of Science
degrees in comparative literature and Italian from Gonzaga
University. A resident of Bonney Lake, she lived in Italy for 11
years and has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia,
Africa and the Americas. She has served as board president for
the Whidbey Island-based Hedgebook Writers Retreat for Women
since 2007.
As vice president for institutional advancement, Nichols will
serve as the chief fundraiser for the University. Her
responsibilities include administration of the Office of
Institutional Advancement, management of the University’s
development efforts, and oversight of all alumni, parent and
donor relations.
Nichols officially assumed her new role at Saint Martin’s on
Oct. 31.
Maya Ranchod Kirkhope, representing Academic Search, Inc.,
assisted Saint Martin’s University with the search.
Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year,
coeducational university located on a 380-acre wooded campus in
Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of
Saint Benedict, the University is one of 14 Benedictine colleges
and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only
one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University
prepares students for successful lives through its 21 majors and
six graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business,
education and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes 1,250
students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its main
campus, and 650 more to its extension campuses located at Joint
Base Lewis-McChord, Everett College, Centralia College and
Tacoma Community College. Visit the Saint Martin’s University
website at www.stmartin.edu.
For additional information:
Sarah Holdener
Director of community relations and event management
Office of Marketing and Communications
Saint Martin’s University
sholdener@stmartin.edu