Cindy Thompson, Dean of Libraries, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Ginger Williams, Dean of Library Services, Fort Hays State University

Mark Mattison, Senior Director of Development, University of Missouri-Kansas City Foundation

Mary Hammond, Director of Development, Fort Hays State University Foundation

First-time deans face many challenges when working in advancement and development for the first time, as there are few resources to provide support. Join two deans who have recently finished their first year at mid-sized public universities as they took the lead on fundraising for the first time in their careers, as well as the experienced development officers they leaned on to provide support. Get ideas of things to try and hear lessons learned from the new deans and the development officers working to onboard new academic leadership.


Speaker Bios:

Cindy Thompson, MA, PhD, is the Dean of Libraries at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s University Libraries. She began at UMKC in 2006 as the Interlibrary Loan Librarian and took on increasing responsibilities until she attained her current position. At the UMKC Libraries Cindy has been engaged in a number of significant initiatives, including endless phased renovation and active work on equity. Her research interests lie with organizational structure and strategic change management, and she is very involved in the Missouri Library Association and chairs UMKC’s Institutional Review Board. Cindy lives in Kansas City’s northland with her dashing husband and adorable children, loves spreadsheets (truly!), and bakes whenever she can.

Ginger H. Williams, M.LIS., M.Ed., is Dean of Library Services for Fort Hays State University in western Kansas. Before this leadership position, she worked in reference, instruction, assessment, circulation, outreach, distance services, special collections, and archives. She is passionate about informal mentoring, and this has been her primary research interest. Currently, she is working on planning a major facility renovation and creating a new strategic plan with her library staff. In her down time, she enjoys homebrewing and drinking beer, listening to audiobooks, trying new crafts, and singing, and she is a beginner golfer.

Mark Mattison, MPA, serves as a Senior Director of Development with the University of Missouri-Kansas City Foundation. He has more 15 years’ experience as a professional fundraiser, 10 of which have been dedicated to Academic Libraries. Mattison has presented nationally and internationally at academic and development conferences, focusing on tools for building a network of advocates to provide financial support and collaborative assistance in raising funds. He holds degrees in Communication, Secondary Teaching, and Public Administration.

Mary S. Hammond is starting her sixth year as a Director of Development with the Fort Hays State University Foundation. Mary’s area of focus for fundraising and engagement, are Forsyth Library, and the College of Education. This is Mary’s second ALADN conference. In her off time, Mary enjoys reading, walking her dog and playing golf with her husband.