Jennifer Shaw
Jennifer Shaw, who has raised more than $130 million for higher education scholarships and programs, will work to support Ferris State University students as the university’s new associate vice president for Advancement.
Kathy Mullins, Ferris vice president for Advancement and Marketing, said Shaw is passionate about creating educational opportunities for students and will be a great addition to the Ferris Foundation team.
“Jennifer will be an excellent advocate for Ferris students and programs and will help generate additional resources for the university,” Mullins said. “There is tremendous energy and excitement around our university. The Ferris Foundation plays an important role in working with our donor community, sharing our stories and helping create more opportunities for students of all ages to get a quality Ferris education.”
Shaw, as Grand Valley State University’s assistant vice president for development, campaigns, college advancement and development services, was a leader in planning and carrying out GVSU’s Laker Effect Comprehensive Campaign, which raised $132 million to support the university and its students, far surpassing its initial $85 million fundraising goal. During her lifetime, she has been a part of raising more than $320 million.
The campaign was deemed the most successful campaign in GVSU history, supported by a record 35,000 donors.
Funds raised during the campaign have doubled the number of scholarships and increased programs, including student services, leadership opportunities and experimental learning. It led to a new program that provided each incoming freshman with a faculty mentor.
Shaw, who starts at Ferris on June 19, had been in the role at GVSU since 2021. She was previously assistant vice president for University Development, Campaigns, Special and Major Gifts, a position she held for nearly 10 years.
Shaw said she is excited about engaging the Ferris community and creating more opportunities for students.
“I look forward to building relationships and establishing rapport within the Advancement team, as well as across campus and with The Ferris Foundation, the Alumni Association board of directors, and our donors,” Shaw said.
“I want to hear their personal Ferris stories, thoughts and ideas. Simultaneously, I will begin analyzing our data to determine and develop strategies to grow our donor pipeline. There are many philanthropic needs at Ferris. Together, we can work to fulfill them and even better serve our students, faculty, staff and alumni.”
Before arriving at GVSU, Shaw held fundraising roles with Spectrum Health and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, where she was development director for Children’s Miracle Network, director of annual giving for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation, and leadership giving officer.
Shaw was the development manager for the Grand Rapids Symphony and held multiple director posts with the American Heart Association.
Shaw is enthusiastic about the energy she has witnessed from President Bill Pink and Mullins and appreciates the university’s history dating back to its founding by Woodbridge Ferris.
“I was impressed by Ferris’ history as one of opportunity, placing a high value on diversity and inclusion,” she said. “I truly appreciate his philosophy of educating all men, women and children of Michigan and beyond.”
Shaw earned a Bachelor of Arts from Aquinas in Communication Arts in 1993 and a Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership from GVSU in 2020. She received a fundraising management certificate from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, The Fundraising School, in 2021. She also received a 2020 CASE Educational Fundraising Award for Overall Improvement on behalf of GVSU Development.