Steve Shepherd

About Steve Shepherd

With over 30 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, sales, and education, I am a passionate and results-oriented leader who strives to make a positive impact in the higher education and nonprofit sectors. As the Director of Development for the College of Science & Mathematics at the University of North Georgia (UNG), I leverage my diverse and extensive skills to generate $10M in capital for a new STEM facility, while enhancing the college\'s brand and reputation among donors, alumni, and partners. My success is driven by my ability to create and execute innovative and effective strategies that align with the college\'s vision and goals, as well as to build and nurture lasting relationships with key stakeholders. I also have a proven track record of delivering high-quality marketing campaigns, publications, and events that showcase the college\'s achievements, programs, and faculty. Additionally, I have a unique perspective and expertise in higher education, having served as an adjunct professor, an alumni affairs director, a corporate partnerships director, and a major gifts director at various institutions. I am motivated by the opportunity to advance the college\'s mission and to support its students, faculty, and staff.

Experience

1. Director of Development, College of Science & Mathematics

   University of North Georgia

   Nov 2021 — Present · Dahlonega, GA, US

   As the Director of Development with the College of Science & Mathematics, my role and responsibilities are exquisitely multi-faceted. I have taken all my career experiences to-date and rolled them into a daily activity of marketing, advertising, branding public relations, graphic design, photography, printing/publishing, and ultimately fundraising. As the sole development officer for the College of Science & Mathematics at the University of North Georgia, I have the unique opportunity to put my stamp on rebranding the college and our fundraising efforts to generate $10M in capital for a new,$100M, two-phase STEM facility on the UNG Dahlonega Campus. I spearhead the fundraising efforts and have created a major gift pipeline through leveraging quality discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship conversations. Over this past year, I conceptualized and implemented effective marketing projects and campaigns to fund four distinct departments and one center: Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Department of Mathematics, Department of Physics & Astronomy, and the Environmental Leadership Center. Key contributions: » Established the ‘STEM IS IN’ brand and subsequent marketing/promotional materials to promote the public phase of the STEM Building Campaign in April 2022; we are currently moving into the second-year phase of the brand: ‘STEM IS LIFE’ » Created opportunities through bios and imagery for our alumni, students, and faculty to showcase their success stories on multiple social media platforms – LinkedIn, UNG Unite and Facebook. » Introduced multiple first-time major endowed scholarships within first year of hire for First-Generation STEM, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics majors. » Facilitated $1.8M in annual campaign funds by crafting influential proposals and distinctive presentations; applied tailored solicitation approaches across a portfolio of major prospects and donors located throughout the country.

Education

• University of Florida

  BA, Art - Graphic Design; Minor in Art History

  1979 — 1984

• University of Florida

  Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Management - expected 2023, Fundraising

  2017 — 2023