On this episode of the RAISE Podcast Brent is joined by VCU's Jay Davenport. Jay’s background as an undergraduate working in the admissions office of his Alma Mater, Xavier University, sparked a passion that would launch his impressive career in Higher Ed. If you're a VP leading a younger advancement program, you will not want to miss this one!

About Jay

Jay Davenport serves as Vice President of Development & Alumni Relations for Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health.

As VCU’s chief development and alumni officer, Davenport leads fundraising and engagement efforts for the university, health sciences division, and VCU Health. Areas under his purview include advancement services, alumni relations, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, development and alumni communications, donor relations, planned giving, presidential advancement, principal giving, regional philanthropy and the university-wide development staff.

Jay has previously led fundraising teams at Wake Forest University, including assistant vice president of college development, assistant vice president of major gifts, and associate vice president and campaign director. He has also served as director of development and team leader at Rice University and held fundraising positions as a college development director at the University of Memphis College of Business and Wright State University College of Engineering. He began his higher education career as an assistant dean of admissions at Wittenberg University.

Jay currently serves on the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish of Greater Virginia and the Benedictine Schools of Richmond. Davenport holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University and a master's degree in higher education administration from Ball State University.