Executive Director

Our Mission: We support donors, colleagues and students by providing comprehensive services to educate, record, and distribute accurate and confidential information in a timely and ethical manner. As a team we consistently review and refine our systems, gift processing, research, and reports to further the University's mission.

Cathy Dodson '91
Executive Director
209-946-2218

Cathy came to Pacific in the Fall of '87 as a student, and liked the University so much that she never left! She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Education in the Class of '91, then spent two years working as a graduate assistant in Athletics while pursuing her MA degree. She joined the University Advancement Division in 1993 and was the only researcher working in the Development Research office. As the department grew, she took on additional management responsibilities, and in 2000 was promoted to the position of Executive Director of Advancement Services and Research.

• Represents University Advancement on multiple University Committees.
• Liaison and coordinator of issues between Advancement Services/Donor Relations/Development Research with the Finance Center; Financial Aid; and Office of Information Technology.
• Ensures that processes are streamlined, standards are met, and rules are followed.
• Oversees endowment and gift agreements.
• Ensures gift accounting and receipting is handled in compliance with IRS regulations and institutional policies.
• Heads the Prospect Management Meetings and enforces APRA approved prospect management policies and ethics.
• Encourages growth, change, and new ideas among her employees.

Jaci Griffen
Administrative Assistant II
209-946-3208

• Schedules and coordinates meetings, conference calls, and travel arrangements for department staff, while providing calendar management for Executive Director.
• Monitors and maintains separate budget and accounting record keeping for each department budget.
• Coordinates purchasing, oversees budgets and related staff expenditures.
• Oversees department time-sheets, hiring paperwork, vacation requests, and related payroll issues for employees and student workers.
• Manages incoming calls and responds to inquiries.
• Manages RSVP's during Annual Black Tie event.
• Oversees student workers and delegates workload.
• Compiles peer screening, prospect management, and constituent activity information and ensures accurate data entry.