UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On July 14, Penn State welcomed Andrea Spahn-McGraw as its new senior associate vice president for University Development. Spahn-McGraw comes to Penn State from Indiana University’s School of Medicine, the largest medical school in the nation and among the top public institutions in the country for NIH-funded research.
“Andrea is an exceptional leader and fundraising professional, and she brings valuable perspective from positions at three major, complex R1 institutions: Indiana University, Purdue University and Arizona State University,” said Alyssa Wilcox, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations, to whom Spahn-McGraw will report. “Andrea will be a key member of our leadership team and an important partner in driving new initiatives and achieving our goals in the University’s new campaign, which will be the most ambitious in Penn State’s history.”
As senior associate vice president, Spahn-McGraw will manage and coach campus, college and University Park fundraising leaders and will provide strategic direction for major gifts fundraising. She has built a track record of personal success in securing seven- and eight-figure gifts, most recently in her role as executive director of advancement, neurosciences, for IU Medicine. Throughout her career, she has led teams through two multi-billion-dollar fundraising campaigns.
Spahn-McGraw holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Butler University and an MBA from Arizona State, where she served as a development officer for Arizona PBS. She went on to roles as a leading fundraiser for the College of Engineering at Purdue and was promoted to chief development officer for the College of Science. She has also been a volunteer leader for local organizations focused on strengthening community schools.
“I am honored to join the Penn State community — a land-grant institution defined by excellence and united by more than 800,000 passionate alumni,” said Spahn-McGraw. “I am excited by the opportunity to build upon Penn State’s strong philanthropic foundation and unrivaled brand identity to grow fundraising for student support, research and priorities in the campaign. I truly believe in the power of public education and am eager to serve its mission.”
Philanthropic support for Penn State advances the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients, and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.