Shannon Blankenship Walls

Shannon serves as the interim Vice President of Advancement and special assistant to the president. In her role, she is the chief fundraising officer for the College and advises the president on all matters pertaining to the management and operation of development, alumni relations, as well as community and donor relations. She provides strategic leadership and direction for the Advancement program and is responsible for designing and implementing best practice, sustainable and comprehensive institutional advancement programs, recruiting and developing talented team members focused toward the ultimate goal of significantly increasing constituent involvement and fundraising outcomes.

Shannon maintains close working relationships with the president and key internal and external stakeholders. She works to advance the mission, vision, and short and long-term goals of the College in concert with the president and senior administrative colleagues. She personally maintains a dynamic portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and secures major, capital and planned gifts, as well as advanced annual gifts and endowment support.

As special assistant to the president, Shannon serves as the liaison for the President’s office for campus committees involved with management hiring and advancement and strategic initiatives. Shannon serves as the staff liaison for the Trusteeship Committee.

Shannon earned a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts from Stephens, and she began working at the College in 1995.