University Advancement and External Affairs

Meet The Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs

Message from the Vice President

University Advancement & External Affairs (UAEA) collaborates with internal and external constituents to advance institutional and student success. UAEA is comprised of three main departments: the Twardowski Career Development Center, the Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact (CCESI), and the Office of External Relations. These offices provide lifelong career development services, community-engaged learning and volunteer opportunities, and cultivate intentional partnerships with local and regional municipalities and elected officials. UAEA also serves as the university’s liaison to the West Chester University Foundation and Alumni Engagement Office, focusing collaboratively on philanthropic opportunities and enhancing alumni engagement.

As the vice president of UAEA, I invite you to connect with our division through the many engagement and experiential learning opportunities created to support and prepare our students to succeed throughout college and beyond.

Sincerely,
Dr. Zebulun Davenport

Learn more about the Vice President

UAEA Events and Highlights

Welcome Back, Shay Gillespie!

UAEA would like to welcome (back) Shay Gillespie as part of the Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact (CCESI) team. Shay is joining CCESI as the new Associate Director focusing on on-campus student and civic engagement. Shay is a two-time WCU alum and has worked in CCESI before as an Assistant Director and as a Graduate Assistant coordinating experiential learning opportunities and civic leadership programs for students. Recently, they worked in similar roles with the State University of New York (SUNY) headquarters and Thomas Jefferson University.
2024 Higher Education Trailblazer

Congratulations to Dr. Julie Dietrich, Executive Director for External Relations on being named as one of City & State Pennsylvania 2024 Higher Education Trailblazer.
Congratulations, Dr. Davenport

Congratulations to Zeb Davenport, VP for UAEA, on your appointment as the new Chester County Community Foundation Chair. Zeb has been a CCCF Board member since 2022. He stepped into the new role as chair in June 2024.
Spotlight on Faculty Research

Congratulations to Yessica Gutierrez, Assistant Director, for having the Internship Prep Program for First Generation Students of Color, a partnership with the Dowdy Multicultural Center, celebrated during Spotlight on Faculty Research.
NASPA2 Regional Conference Closing Panel

Vice President, Dr. Davenport joined the NASPA Region 2 Conference Closing Panel entitled, Exploring Basic Needs: Advocacy and Action on College Campuses. Panelists from R to L included, Dr. Zeb Davenport, Vice President for UAEA; Dr. Anne Lundquist, Executive Director of the Hope Center, Temple University; Alex Kennedy, Community Partner Coordinator, Food Bank of NYC; Amber Danku, Assistant Director for Student Basic Needs, Rutgers University; and Dr. Felipe Henau (Moderator), Dean of Students, New York Institute of Technology.