Rio Grande Hires Director of Development

RIO GRANDE, Ohio – The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College has hired Kara Willis to serve as Director of Development.

The newly formed position within Institutional Advancement will work with various constituents to secure the financial resources necessary for Rio Grande to continue providing an engaging educational environment that prepares students for successful lives as responsible citizens in a culturally diverse, global community.

“Rio Grande is a valuable asset for education and economic development throughout the tri-state region and I consider it a privilege to promote and represent such an institution,” Willis said. “I am eager to put my talents and experience to work in support of the Rio Grande mission.”

Willis is a member of the President’s Cabinet, will attend Alumni Council meetings and supervise all donor relations for Rio Grande. Willis can be reached at 740-245-7221 or [email protected].

Willis previously served as Development Director for the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission since 2013, where she supervised federal and state agency grant and Revolving Loan Fund programs for the benefit of a 12-county region in southern Ohio. She has also served as Executive Director of the Jackson County Economic Development Board from 2006 to 2008, and the Region 7 Representative for Community Development for the Governor’s Regional Economic Development Office from 2003 to 2006.

Willis graduated Magna Cum Laude from Shawnee State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.

“Kara is a wonderful addition to the Rio family,” said Paul Harrison, Rio Grande’s Interim President, Executive Vice President and Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “She brings an exceptional skill set with a strong base of development experience, and is the right person to grow our development efforts at Rio Grande.”