Andrea Gentry has been named Vice President for Development at the University of Southern Indiana, effective July 1. Gentry will report to Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, USI President, and join the President’s Cabinet.
As Vice President for Development, Gentry will provide innovative and strategic leadership for the Development team in planning, implementation and administration of the University’s comprehensive fund-raising efforts. The role also oversees Alumni Engagement and Volunteer USI and serves as President of the University of Southern Indiana Foundation.
“It was through the philanthropic efforts of our founders over 50 years ago that led to the creation of the University of Southern Indiana. Today, philanthropy continues to be a pillar in the success of our University,” said Rochon. “Andrea’s nearly two decades of service to the Foundation, establishing trusted relationships with our generous and loyal donors across alumni, employees and friends, well positions her to ascend to this vital role as plans begin for our upcoming capital campaign, a key to the University’s future.”
For the past seven years, Gentry has served as the Director of Development for the University of Southern Indiana. In that role, she was responsible for securing leadership, major and planned gifts, while conducting administrative duties for the Development Office and USI Foundation. Gentry works closely with the USI Foundation Board of Directors and its Executive Committee. In addition to her time as Director, she has been devoted to USI for 19 years in the Development Office, including the positions of Associate Director of Development; Assistant Director of Development, Major Gifts; Assistant Director of Development, Annual Giving; and Senior Administrative Assistant.
“It is an honor to serve the University of Southern Indiana in this capacity,” said Gentry. “USI has a strong tradition of generous support from the community, and our alumni, now over 52,000, are elevating their alma mater through numerous ways of engagement. The USI Foundation Board has an extensive history of dedicated leadership and we are eager to involve more individuals with University programs, students and staff.”
Gentry graduated cum laude from USI in 2005, where she majored in public relations. She earned the designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) from CFRE International in 2013, and the Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in 2012. She completed the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Nonprofit Leadership Academy in 2017 and is a member of Leadership Everyone’s class of 2011.
Through her work in higher education fundraising, Gentry is dedicated to building long-term relationships with alumni and friends. She is committed to fulfilling the needs of USI students, programs and colleagues while fostering a positive culture of philanthropy. She served as campaign manager for Campaign USI: Elevating Excellence, which exceeded its $50 million goal. She has served three terms on the University’s Administrative Senate. Communication and collaboration are key factors in the work Gentry does to serve her alma mater.
Gentry also provides leadership to the Evansville Area Fundraising Council through its board of directors. She is a board member of Keep Evansville Beautiful and mentors local high school students with the YWCA. She is a past board member of the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville and was named to the Evansville Business Journal’s 20 under 40 Emerging Leaders in 2011.
