411 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05405
United States
BIO
A nationally recognized fundraiser and advancement leader, Monica Delisa has served as president and chief executive officer of the University of Vermont Foundation since June 1, 2022.
Dr. Delisa has a long track-record of success in complex higher education settings, including “Carnegie R1” universities and land grant universities. Her membership on the Association of Governing Board’s Council of Foundation Leaders recognizes the impact she has had—and continues to have—in this field.
Prior to joining the University of Vermont Foundation, Dr. Delisa served as vice president for development at the University of South Carolina, where she reshaped and strengthened the development team, implementing industry best practices with an emphasis on prioritizing donor relationships. Previously, she directed advancement for Georgia College & State University, that state’s designated public liberal arts university. While there, she built close relationships with donors that contributed to a 144% increase in giving over six years. She oversaw the establishment of over 150 new endowed scholarships and acquired the unique gift of “Andalusia,” the 500-acre homestead of renowned writer Flannery O’Connor.
Earlier in her career, Delisa rose through the ranks as a standout fundraiser and mentor at the Texas A&M Foundation and the University of Arizona, where she began her career as an administrative assistant.
Dr. Delisa was raised in a “a small, wonderfully diverse, Arizona mining community.” She earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural communications and a Master of Arts in journalism from the University of Arizona, and a doctorate in higher education leadership from City University of Seattle. Her doctoral research focused on which types of undergraduate experiences contribute to students becoming highly engaged and generous alumni.
Bio
A nationally recognized fundraiser and advancement leader, Monica Delisa has served as president and chief executive officer of the University of Vermont Foundation since June 1, 2022.
Dr. Delisa has a long track-record of success in complex higher education settings, including “Carnegie R1” universities and land grant universities. Her membership on the Association of Governing Board’s Council of Foundation Leaders recognizes the impact she has had—and continues to have—in this field.
Prior to joining the University of Vermont Foundation, Dr. Delisa served as vice president for development at the University of South Carolina, where she reshaped and strengthened the development team, implementing industry best practices with an emphasis on prioritizing donor relationships. Previously, she directed advancement for Georgia College & State University, that state’s designated public liberal arts university. While there, she built close relationships with donors that contributed to a 144% increase in giving over six years. She oversaw the establishment of over 150 new endowed scholarships and acquired the unique gift of “Andalusia,” the 500-acre homestead of renowned writer Flannery O’Connor.
Earlier in her career, Delisa rose through the ranks as a standout fundraiser and mentor at the Texas A&M Foundation and the University of Arizona, where she began her career as an administrative assistant.
Dr. Delisa was raised in a “a small, wonderfully diverse, Arizona mining community.” She earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural communications and a Master of Arts in journalism from the University of Arizona, and a doctorate in higher education leadership from City University of Seattle. Her doctoral research focused on which types of undergraduate experiences contribute to students becoming highly engaged and generous alumni.