Alfred University announces appointment of Erin Martinovich as new VP of Advancement

ALFRED, NY – Alfred University President Mark Zupan announces the appointment of Erin Martinovich as vice president for University Advancement, effective Jan. 3, 2022. Martinovich comes to Alfred University from the University of Rochester, where she has served since 2018 as executive director, Annual Giving Programs.

“We are honored and thrilled to have Erin Martinovich lead our University Advancement team,” Zupan commented. “Her extensive knowledge and experience in higher education fundraising, combined with her energy and enthusiasm, will serve Alfred University exceedingly well.”

“It is truly my honor and privilege to have been selected to serve Alfred University as the next vice president of University Advancement. Everything that I have learned about this unique, impressive institution throughout the search process has inspired and excited me and I am looking forward to continuing to build upon the already strong foundation of success,” Martinovich said.

“I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work. There is so much momentum right now and my first priority will be to deeply invest myself in the community, listen and learn so that we can ensure that our engagement and fundraising priorities align with the strategic direction of the University.”

Martinovich has 25 years of experience in higher education fundraising. She supervised the Direct Response program for the University of Rochester and its Medical Center, managing of a team of 12 and overseeing all annual giving marketing channels for more than 21 academic and academic medical units, URMC hospitals, clinical areas, and affiliate programs. Her team worked directly with university leadership to ensure the successful realization of a $25 million annual fund goal.

Prior to coming to the University of Rochester, Martinovich was managing director of the Fund for Babson, at Babson College in Wellesley, MA, from 2013-18; was director of The Northeastern Fund, at Northeastern University in Boston, from 2009-13; and director of Annual Giving, at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, from 2004-09. She also previously directed reunion giving at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY (2001-04), annual giving at Philadelphia University (1998-2001), special gifts and volunteer programs at University at Albany (1996-98).

Martinovich earned a B.A. degree in public communication in 1993 from the College of St. Rose. Her husband, Chad, is the head football coach at the University of Rochester. The couple has two children: daughter Hailey, a freshman at Castleton University in Vermont, and son Tyler, a freshman at Brighton High School, Rochester.

In announcing the Martinovich appointment, Zupan thanked the members of the campus-based search committee: Mark Lewis (chair), dean of the College of Business; Anne Cornell, director of prospect management/stewardship; Danielle Gagne, professor of psychology and chair of the psychology, gerontology, and communication studies programs; Timothy Gage Ponsetti ’21, ’22 MS, graduate assistant in University Advancement; and Angie Taylor, head coach of the Alfred University women’s and men’s track and field teams.

Zupan also expressed appreciation to members of the Board of Trustees who interviewed the finalists for the vice president position and provided input. This group of trustees was chaired by Terry Galanis Jr. HD ’19 and also included Board vice chair Carolyn Clark ’90; Board chair Greg Connors ’92; Mary Jo Finocchiaro ’86; Fred George ’75, ’77 MS; Steve Heine ’81; and Bryan Hill ’90.

“Erin is very energetic, welcoming and warm. She is a great listener, and connected easily with people across campus,” Lewis commented. “She will be an excellent communicator of the Alfred University story and a great leader of our University Advancement team.”

“The Trustee Committee was very impressed with our Interview with Erin. She was poised, professional and delightful to talk to,” Galanis said. “We were all very impressed with her positive attitude and management skills and feel she is a great fit for the position. I think she fell in love with Alfred as soon as she saw our campus.”

Zupan also expressed his gratitude to the University Advancement staff, led by Mark Riordan, who had served as interim vice president of University Advancement since July 10.