James E. Stofan, a leading alumni relations professional in higher education, has been named associate vice chancellor of alumni relations at Vanderbilt University.
Stofan, who most recently directed alumni relations for the University of California system, will oversee Vanderbilt’s alumni relations program and outreach to Vanderbilt’s 121,000 alumni as well as the reunion program.
As the assistant vice president for alumni affairs in the UC Office of the President, Stofan coordinated more than 10 campus alumni programs representing over 1.5 million alumni worldwide. Under his leadership, UC reduced its “lost alumni” percentage from 24 percent to 8.9 percent and developed system-wide international chapters in London, Paris, Beijing, Mexico City, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Stockholm. He also directed the first-ever UC system-wide strategic planning effort for alumni relations.
“We are delighted to have James join our Development and Alumni Relations team,” said Randy Smith, executive associate vice chancellor. “The involvement and support of our alumni are vital to Vanderbilt’s success, and we look forward to James’ leadership in this area that is so important to the university.”
Stofan worked from 1986 to 1998 at UC-Irvine, where he served as executive director of the campus alumni association. While at Irvine, he established alumni funds for endowed scholarships and fellowships and launched UCI’s first student alumni association and first alumni magazine.
“I am extremely honored to join the Vanderbilt family,” Stofan said. “Vanderbilt alumni are loyal friends and tremendous advocates for their university, and I look forward to helping build and sustain their connections and engagement.”
From 1979 to 1983, Stofan worked in student affairs at Bowling Green State University in Ohio and California State University in Los Angeles. During that time he supervised the planning of a series of major jazz, rock and classical concerts in large and small arenas. He also oversaw the campus lecture programs at each institution while he was there.
Stofan is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. He received a B.A. in math from California State University and a master of science in college student personnel from Central Connecticut State University.
Media contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, 615-322-NEWS
annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu