Academic Senate

The Executive Committee

Richard Ellison
Vice President fo University Advancement

Department: University Advancement
Phone: 898-5297
E-mail: reellison@csuchico.edu

Richard Ellison has been Vice President for University Advancement at California State University, Chico since May 2005. CSU, Chico's advancement effort includes university development, which is responsible for raising private support, as well as alumni relations and public affairs and publications.

Ellison came to Chico from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he was Associate Vice President for University Advancement. As chief operational officer for Cal Poly's advancement division, Ellison managed nine college and unit advancement directors and had major responsibilities for major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, annual gifts and other areas. He helped direct Cal Poly's Centennial Campaign and coordinated the campaign kick-off event for 450 top donors and prospects. Among the gifts he helped facilitate were $15 million for the Orfalea College of Business and $1 million for the Children's Center. Prior to joining Cal Poly in 1998,

Ellison spent six years as Director of Development for the College of Business and Administration at the University of Colorado, and nine years as the Assistant VP at Pepperdine University. He earned his BS and MBA from Pepperdine.