Appointed One Year Ago, Vice President for University Advancement Shirley Pok Announces One Purpose, the University’s New Annual Giving Club
Shirley Pok was appointed the vice president for University Advancement at CSU Stanislaus in April 2013. For the past year, she has worked to promote engagement with alumni, donors, community members and corporate partners, thus forging broad support for academic excellence and student success at the university and throughout the region.
Pok is now set to guide CSU Stanislaus into a new era of fundraising, announcing the establishment of a brand new annual giving program.
“I am happy to announce One Purpose, the university’s new annual giving club, which will raise funds designated for student scholarships and promote student success,” Pok said. “My vision for the Division of University Advancement has been inspired by my initial desire to help lead, and be part of, this significant time in the history of the university.”
Pok’s career as a fundraising professional began at Fresno State University’s Bulldog Foundation, where she was instrumental in raising millions of scholarship dollars for student-athletes. Her effective experience with volunteer recruitment and the “team concept” of fundraising led her to a position at CSU Stanislaus in 1998, where she established the athletic development program. In 2000, she accepted a position to lead a comprehensive development program at Emanuel Medical Center. Over her 12 years of service at Emanuel, the development program raised $22 million.
“Shirley Pok is a recognized leader and fundraiser in our region,” CSU Stanislaus President Joseph F. Sheley said. “She has brought to the university a long history of excellent relationships with, and an understanding of, the Stanislaus community.”
“At this pivotal point in launching a new fundraising initiative at CSU Stanislaus, I am confident that Ms. Pok will lead us in the development of partnerships that will serve our university and our region for years to come.”
Strengthening relationships between the region, community and campus is one of Pok’s primary goals for the division. She said she is motivated to reinforce Sheley’s initiative to build partnerships between the university and community.
“Embracing the region is very important to me, as well as having the region embrace the campus,” Pok said. “The Division of University Advancement is dedicated to reaching out to the community to tell the stories of our campus proudly, broadly and boldly.”
The past year has been busy for University Advancement, including the re-establishment of staff within the division. Pok also led the planning and implementation of a strategy to engage alumni, as well as a campus-wide, concerted effort to accomplish the investiture of the new president.
Reflecting on the past year, Pok said she has been most impressed by the collaborative spirit across campus.
“From the moment I arrived, I was so delighted by the positive emails, notes of encouragement and campus-wide enthusiasm to work together toward university goals,” she said. “Having the support and readiness of the campus community be so apparent truly speaks to the dedication of those working here at CSU Stanislaus and their commitment to student success.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristina Stamper
(209) 667-3916
kstamper@csustan.edu