151: Cheryl Webster Crounse, Salem State University

<p>With more than 23 years of fundraising experience, Cheryl Crounse has a passion for high-impact work in higher education and is driven by the opportunities that philanthropy can provide to advance mission. She is currently the vice president of Institutional Advancement of Salem State University and executive director of the Salem State University Foundation, Inc. and had previously served the university as campaign manager of the 10,000 Reasons Campaign and thereafter was promoted to assistant vice president and associate vice president with increasing roles and responsibilities in leading the team. Brought on in 2011, Cheryl led the university’s first-ever comprehensive campaign which exceeded its goal and raised $26.5 million. </p><p>In her current role, Cheryl is responsible for developing and advancing fundraising strategy through alumni relations, annual giving, advancement services, events, major gift and planned gifts, and communications as well as overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plans of the foundation’s 19-member board. </p><p>Located north of Boston, Salem State is one of the largest state universities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and an important partner in the economic, cultural and intellectual vitality of the region. The university provides a diverse community of learners a high quality, student-centered education; one that prepares them to contribute responsibly and creatively to a global society. </p><p>As a first-generation, Pell-eligible college student studying business at Oswego State University, Cheryl learned the fundamentals of fundraising as a student employee calling alumni for her alma mater in the college's advancement office. Although a New York native, she and her husband Mike adopted Lynn, Massachusetts as their hometown 13 years ago. Cheryl is very involved in the community, serving on the Board of Lynn Museum/Lynn Arts, as a volunteer for Arts After Hours in Lynn, as a mentor at Girls, Inc. and has become a die-hard Red Sox fan. Since Salem State