University Advancement
and External Affairs
Mission Statement
University Advancement and External Affairs optimizes student success and community impact by cultivating partnerships, stewarding relationships, and creating robust engagement and experiential learning opportunities that prepare students to succeed throughout college and beyond.
Strategic Priorities
- Implement a cohesive community engagement strategy that streamlines the fulfillment of institutional and departmental goals and objectives.
- Serve as a knowledge hub, intermediary, and resource for campus and community entities interested in establishing partnerships that contribute to the common good.
- Create partnerships to promote and facilitate community engagement opportunities designed to optimize both student success and community impact.
- Promote and provide avenues for equitable access and strategies to help ensure all students are aware of and have the ability to participate in community engagement opportunities. (e.g., high impact practices such as service-learning and internships).
- Enact advocacy efforts designed to support the success of students, the institution, and the community consistent with WCU’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Steward meaningful relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and their offices toward fulfilling the University’s public mission.
- Expand alumni engagement, annual and planned giving by articulating WCU’s value and connecting donor intent to institutional priorities.
Meet The Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs
Zebulun R. Davenport
Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs
Dr. Zebulun Davenport is the Vice President for University Advancement and External Affairs at West Chester University. Davenport earned a Doctorate in Higher Education and Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a Master of Education in College Student Personnel Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Communications/Public Relations with a minor in Human Services from James Madison University. Davenport also received a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Optimizing Student Success
Twardowski Career Development Center
Twardowski Career Development Center
The Twardowski Career Development Center serves as the bridge connecting students and alumni to the professional world, introducing them to who they can become.
The Twardowski Career Development Center is the bridge connecting students and alumni to the professional world, introducing them to who they can become. The TCDC offers career education and career counseling, as well as facilitates connections between students, alumni, and employers through virtual and on-campus recruiting and networking activities.
Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact
Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact
The Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact promotes community-based learning experiences that address issues of public concern by building mutually beneficial partnerships and empowering students to be active citizens in their local, national and global communities.
If you’re interested in community engagement, volunteering, service-learning, social advocacy, voting, and other meaningful ways to make a positive impact in your local, national, and global communities, you’ve come to the right place. From hunger and homelessness to educational inequities, our programs and services – including the WCU Resource Pantry – provide students with a wide range of impactful opportunities to learn about and address issues of public concern. Through our mutually beneficial partnerships with community-based organizations, we strive to equip all students with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in democratic life as agents of positive social change.
Office of External Relations
Office of External Relations
The Office of Governmental Relations identifies and fosters sound government and community partnerships and relationships on behalf of the University in coordination with its leadership, faculty, staff, and students toward fulfilling the institutional mission and strategic plan.
The purpose of the Office of External Relations is to cultivate and sustain relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials and their offices and government entities and to serve as a leading liaison within the community. The Office focuses on executing strategic community and economic development as well as facilitating communication and negotiating partnerships among key leaders to help leverage and optimize the use of institutional assets and address community needs.
UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Links and Resources
