Queens Names Jennifer Eriksen As Vice President for Advancement

by Keith Pierce

Queens University has named Jennifer Eriksen as vice president of university advancement starting May 1, 2021. Eriksen was previously senior director of annual giving and advancement communications at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.  

President Dan Lugo says, “Jen is a strategic-thinking, creative, and collaborative leader who was instrumental in Colby’s success in raising hundreds of millions of dollars.”  

At Colby, Eriksen was a key leader in developing and executing the largest fundraising campaign in liberal arts college history. Five years into the seven-year effort, more than 22,000 alumni, parents, and friends have contributed —collectively raising more than $600 million. Eriksen led the process of developing the college’s signature campaign brand, Dare Northward, while being instrumental in the college’s principal gift proposal development efforts. Under her leadership, the annual giving team broke institutional fundraising records by increasing annual dollars raised by 70% over a five-year period. 

Prior to serving as senior director of annual giving and advancement communications at Colby, Eriksen held several leadership roles in development and communications at the University of Maine at Farmington, where she expanded annual giving by heightening awareness for strategic priorities, developed a comprehensive marketing and communication plan, and spearheaded a visibility campaign which raised awareness among corporate donors and community leaders. 

Eriksen says, "I'm proud to join Queens University at such an extraordinary time and to help lead the transformational efforts of President Lugo. The opportunities ahead for Queens are innumerable, and I cannot wait to work with our community on and beyond campus to further support the learning, civic engagement, and thought leadership for which Queens is renowned." 

Eriksen received a B.S. in Communications from Bradley University and completed the HERS Program Management Institute for Women in Higher Education at Wellesley College.