Sylvia Acosta

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT SYLVIA ACOSTA

Chief Executive Officer at the New Mexico State University Foundation. As the CEO, Dr. Acosta responsibly manages the assets of the NMSU Foundation with a focus on sustainability. Further, she works to nurture a culture of philanthropy that embraces all institutional and community stakeholders while enhancing and expanding its impact among alumni and donors.The mission of the NMSU Foundation is to foster long-term relationships with our alumni, supporters, and community in order to secure, manage, steward, and protect a sustainable source of private resources that will enhance the ability of New Mexico State University to fulfill its land grant mission.Dr. Acosta previously worked as the Growth Officer/ Sr. Vice President at National Minority Development Council (NMSDC) where she was responsible for resource development and Hispanic outreach. Dr. Acosta, also served as the CEO of one of the largest YWCAs in the nation where she oversaw a budget of over 42 million dollars and just under 400 employees. In her position she led and completed the strategic planning and sustainability initiatives for the organization. During her tenure she increased revenues from both the public and private sectors to over 47 million up from an initial 24 million. She had led the successful fundraising campaigns for the University Texas at El Paso, St. Mary’s University, University of California at Irvine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso, Avance, Inc, Any Baby Can, YWCA El Paso and the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Dr. Acosta has over three decades of professional experience serving in executive positions. Her experience includes higher education administration, advocacy, fundraising and leadership development.She actively is an invited presenter on issues relating to: LatinX community experiences,US/Mexico Border issues, early childhood education, women’s issues/empowerment, racial justice, social justice, social entrepreneurship, higher education and fundraising. Acosta holds a Ph.D. from New Mexico State University, and degrees from St. Mary’s University and University of Texas at Austin.Dr. Acosta is a first generation college graduate and first generation American. She is the proud daughter of migrant workers turned entrepreneurs.