Jim Harris has been at the University of Maryland for over four years and currently serves as the Vice President for University Relations and the President of the University of Maryland College Park Foundation.
As Vice President, Jim leads a team of 200+ advancement professionals responsible for generating private philanthropic and volunteer support among the university’s alumni and friends, and for best-in-class engagement of donors. University Relations staff, centrally based within the division and within 16 schools, colleges and divisions across campus, focus on annual, major, principal and planned gifts; alumni and donor relations; and the financial management and operations of the division and UMCP Foundation. Prior to serving as the Vice President for University Relations, Jim served as the Associate Vice President for University Development at the University of Maryland College Park, overseeing fundraising of the entire development operation.
In his prior role he served the University of Louisiana for four years as Executive Director of the Foundation and Office of Advancement. This position required expertise in leadership and team development, volunteer management, major and principal gifts fundraising, annual fund, and campaign strategy and execution.
Previous stops include serving as the Associate Vice President for the University of South Florida Foundation, helping to organize the $1 Billion university-wide “Unstoppable” campaign. Senior Director of Development at Ohio University for four years, during “The Promise Lives Campaign,” overseeing the fundraising efforts for intercollegiate athletics as well as raising funds for the university.
His career began at his alma mater, Indiana University, where he worked for six years as the Director of Development for Major Gifts and Associate Director of Development in Annual Giving for Athletics.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University and two master’s degrees, Business Administration and Sports Administration, from Ohio University.
Jim Harris
