This summer, the University of Washington Bothell named Joseph Sherman as its new associate vice chancellor for development in the Division of Advancement. He will be working in partnership with Sean Marsh, who has a new role serving as associate vice chancellor for alumni and stakeholder engagement.
Sherman has been with the University of Washington for nearly two decades. For the past 10 years, he was with the Foster School of Business, first as a major gifts officer and most recently as the senior director of development and corporate relations. Prior to his roles at Foster, he served on the College of Engineering’s advancement team and as a senior prospect researcher for the UW’s central Advancement team.
“UW Bothell’s clear dedication to a diverse student body is a perfect match for what drives me professionally,” said Sherman. “In every frontline role, I have proactively sought out and successfully fundraised in support of diverse communities — through scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students, student awards and capital gifts to support community spaces.”
His addition to the UW Bothell team is a significant one, said Rebecca Ehrlichman Blume, vice chancellor for advancement. “Joseph has demonstrated his depth and skills in technical applications of fundraising strategies and in his strength leading with heart and passion,” she said. “I am inspired by his commitment to the UW Bothell community and his enthusiasm for fundraising on behalf of our campus.”
Across the country, Sherman noted, higher education is facing rapidly increasing costs even as institutions attempt to serve the public good and provide high-caliber academic experiences. He believes that UW Bothell is rising to the challenge with its commitment to advancing the success of first-generation students. And more than two-thirds of students graduating debt-free with an excellent UW Bothell Husky education, he added.
“Yet, this campus and our students still need more philanthropic support to ensure broader access to an affordable education and to seize new opportunities to support our faculty’s outstanding research and teaching.
“Giving to UW Bothell leads to life-changing experiential learning, supports diversity and access, launches careers and graduates not held down by debt, and impacts the future of education, health care and technology — all while we model the highest levels of environmental sustainability for the region.”
Bottom line, said Sherman, “this is a special place, and I’m excited to be a part of the difference UW Bothell makes in so many lives!”
Sherman is a proud alumnus of Auburn University, which he noted was an educational and career-making opportunity made possible for him thanks to a scholarship he received. Through his work, he is paying forward the support he was given as a student.
