Park University Hires Ford as the New Associate Vice President for Development and Expansion
Melissa Ford Appointed as Associate Vice President for Advancement at Park University
Melissa Ford, a seasoned fundraising professional with a rich background in arts and education, has been appointed as the Associate Vice President for Advancement at Park University, effective from August 16, 2023.
Ford brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having served as the director of development for United WE and Musical Theater Heritage in Kansas City, Missouri, and at the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Missouri - Kansas City, among others.
Ford's educational background includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance from Oklahoma City University.
In her new position at Park University, Ford will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the University's mission and goals. Her responsibilities will encompass planning, organizing, and implementing various fundraising campaigns, including capital campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, and special events.
Prior to her appointment at Park University, Ford held several roles in fundraising and advancement, although specific details about her prior positions and achievements in these areas are not extensively documented in public records. However, her career path in Kansas City includes serving as the director of philanthropic giving for the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Missouri - Kansas City from 2021, the director of major gifts for the Kansas City Ballet, and a major gifts officer and donor relations manager for Girls Scouts of Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri.
Ford's involvement in the arts extends beyond her professional roles, as she is a member of the Kansas City Ballet Guild's Board of Directors and served as the president of the Kansas City Ballet Guild in 2022-23. Additionally, she served as the executive director and chief executive officer for the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Ford's commitment to the community is evident in her past roles, including her service as a campaign manager and fundraiser for the Missouri House of Representatives District 56 from 2013-15.
While detailed public records on Ford's career background and specific achievements prior to joining Park University are limited, her extensive experience and dedication to her work make her a valuable addition to the Park University team. For more precise information on her career background, direct sources from Park University communications or Melissa Ford’s professional profiles may provide further insights.
- Melissa Ford's new role at Park University includes a focus on career development, as she will be responsible for skills training and education-and-self-development initiatives to support comprehensive fundraising strategies.
- In addition to her commitment to the arts, Melissa Ford's career development has been marked by a focus on career-development and skills-training opportunities, as seen in herprevious roles as a director of philanthropic giving, director of major gifts, and major gifts officer.
