Who we are and what we do

The Advancement Office at Walsh University is comprised of a team of individuals all working toward the same goal - advancing the school's image and presence in the community through comprehensive promotion of the outstanding academic, athletic, extracurricular, spiritual, and professional accomplishments of our wonderful students and alumni. That team includes:

Bridgette Neisel, Vice President of Advancement and University Relations
Bridgette is responsible for the organization and implementation of the University's fundraising, alumni relations and external relations programs, major gifts campaign, annual giving and corporate and foundation relations.

Sharon Sirpilla, Director of Major Gifts
Sharon is responsible for the administration of the Major Gifts Program, capital projects solicitation, and all other efforts to increasingly meet fund raising objectives and goals. Particular focus will be on identifying, cultivating and successfully soliciting new prospects to the University.

Craig Eynon, Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations
Craig is responsible for the Walsh Fund, which supports the University's operating budget in the areas of financial aid, library, student, and faculty development. His additional responsibilities include alumni engagement, donor cultivation and volunteer stewardship. Eynon will also assist in the coordination and development of external committees.

Teresa Griffin, Director of Marketing
Teresa is responsible for University-wide marketing strategies and standards, including advertising programs, research and planning and the development of an integrated and creative brand image. She oversees the production and execution of all internal and external publications. She also oversees external media relations and public relations activities.

Andrea Summerlot, Director of University Relations
Andrea is responsible for external media relations including the writing and distribution of official University press releases. She also acts as a community liaison on issues of public affairs.  Additional responsibilities include the coordination of internal public relations and communications, and copywriter for various University publications.

Karen Hodge, Director of Grants and Prospect Research
Karen is responsible for preparing and submitting grant proposals to foundations, corporations, and government sources and assisting faculty members as they pursue grant opportunities within their disciplines.  She also prepares background research on potential donors for use as the University works to secure external support.

Jackie Manser, Director of Alumni Relations
Jackie is responsible for building and cultivating relationships with Walsh's more than 8,000 alumni, making regional visits to meet with alumni, involving alumni in the life of the college, supporting and overseeing the Walsh University Alumni Board of Trustees and planning, organizing and implementing a number of Alumni events and functions annually. 

Dan Gravo, Associate Director of Alumni Relations
Dan is responsible for assisting in identifying, establishing, and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships between the University and its alumni. He is involved in creating programming that is more targeted to specific alumni groups, developing an online community and enhancing Walsh’s electronic social networking opportunities.

Pat Cauley, Coordinator, Advancement Services
Pat is responsible for the BANNER Advancement module (Alumni/Development database) including identifying, retrieving and analyzing data in support of the Advancement departments.