Carolyn Ciriegio promoted to vice president for advancement at Wooster
Carolyn Ciriegio ’08 has accepted the position of vice president for advancement at The College of Wooster, after serving in the role in the interim since July 2022. A communication studies graduate of the College, Ciriegio has served Wooster in a number of roles for more than 15 years. In this role as vice president, she continues to oversee and lead all aspects of advancement operations including major and planned giving, annual giving, sponsored research and foundation relations, advancement services, alumni and family engagement, donor relations, and prospect development.
“Carolyn has excelled while serving in the vice president for advancement role in an interim capacity since July 2022, and we are delighted she’s accepted the permanent position,” said President Anne McCall. “She brings to the role strong relationships and many years of experience working collaboratively with the College community, alumni, and families. As an alumna, she has an even greater appreciation for the student experience at Wooster and the power of a liberal arts education.”
As vice president for advancement, Ciriegio also acts as a strategic support partner to the Board of Trustees, working closely with the Trusteeship and Governance committees. A member of the president’s cabinet, she works alongside the vice president for finance and business, provost, and faculty representatives to create annual budgets with appropriate campus input and help prepare them for cabinet and board approval. She serves on the Strategic Planning and Priorities Advisory Committee (SPPAC), working with members of cabinet, elected faculty and staff representatives, as well as two appointed students to gain campus input and provide transparency around key issues and initiatives.
In the past year as interim vice president, Ciriegio worked with the Board of Trustees to expand engagement and recruitment of diverse populations. She also helped support the completion of the $37-million fundraising effort for the student center renovation and expansion project and execute the celebration and dedication of the space for campus and major donors. Throughout her time as a gift officer and fundraiser, Ciriegio has helped numerous alumni and other donors to meet their philanthropic goals and support key programs and initiatives at the College. She helped to successfully deliver Wooster’s Promise, the College’s largest fundraising campaign ($190M+), focused on a $40M capital project and program specific endowment enhancement. As a leader in the areas of major gifts, planned giving, and development, she has supported, mentored, and directed the work of advancement staff members to help meet fundraising goals. She has also led and served on various search committees for critical positions at the College.
In 2022-23, Ciriegio participated in the Senior Leadership Academy sponsored by the CIC (Council for Independent Colleges) and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. She is a member of the Board of the Wayne and Holmes County Estate Planning Council, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners of Central Ohio. She has also served as a social entrepreneurship advisor for Wooster’s Department of Business Economics and is an active member of CASE, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
“I’m proud to continue serving my alma mater in this role, as we continue to move the College forward under the leadership of President McCall,” said Ciriegio. “I thoroughly enjoy working with Wooster alumni and friends to understand and fulfill their philanthropic goals and make a difference in our College community.”
Posted in News on November 27, 2023.
