Alan Drimmer, PhD, Cleary University president, is pleased to announce, that after a comprehensive national search, Dino M. Hernandez has been named Senior Vice President of Advancement.
In this newly created position, Hernandez is responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive institutional advancement programs, as well as increasing constituent involvement and fundraising outcomes.
“This senior leadership position is critical for Cleary as we strategically focus on growing private giving to the institution over the next seven years,” reports Dr. Drimmer. “The university is preparing for its first ever comprehensive campaign as we begin planning for our 150th anniversary celebration in 2033. I am confident that Dino and his team will lead this historical initiative to recordbreaking success for Cleary.
“Our key targets for the next several years involve developing meaningful philanthropic partnerships with individuals, local and national foundations and corporations; strengthening stewardship and alumni engagement as well as advancement communications; and implementing best standards and practices,” Dr. Drimmer reports.
“Cleary University is entering an exciting and important period in its history,” Hernandez points out. “I am deeply honored to join President Drimmer and the leadership team at this pivotal time as the university prepares for its first ever comprehensive campaign and its 150th anniversary. Together, we will strengthen a culture of engagement and philanthropy that expands opportunity for students and secures Cleary’s future for generations to come.”
Hernandez brings to Cleary more than 30 years of fundraising and progressive leadership experience in higher education advancement. He previously served as Vice President of College Advancement and Executive Director of the Northwestern Michigan College Foundation where he increased the pipeline of gift activity and led efforts to conduct a campaign feasibility study and planning for the organization’s 75th anniversary.
Prior to this role, Hernandez served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs at the University of The Bahamas and Executive Director of the Canadian Friends of the University of The Bahamas located in Montreal, Canada. He also established and served as the founding Executive Director of the University of The Bahamas United States Foundation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Thanks to financial support from the foundation, the northern-most campus of the university on Grand Bahama Island, which was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, was rebuilt.
Hernandez’ extensive experience also includes serving as Vice President for Advancement at Notre Dame de Namur University, where he launched the Campaign to Save Ralston Hall and secured $6 million, the largest gift in the university’s history. The campaign ultimately raised more than $20.2 million in less than two years.
Other positions Hernandez has held include Vice President of University Advancement/Executive Director of the MSU Denver Foundation, and Vice President for Development at Sierra Nevada College, where he led a capital campaign to complete the Holman Arts & Media Center.
Prior to these national and international roles, Hernandez lived and worked in Michigan. For 13 years, he served at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, where he led two successful comprehensive capital campaigns, raising $46.6 million for one and $100 million for the second. During that time, he managed university advancement, major gifts, annual giving, alumni relations, corporate and foundation development, and advancement communications.
Hernandez is a frequent presenter for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) on various aspects of advancement and alumni relations. He also has served on the CASE International Commission on Philanthropy, and he and his teams have received numerous CASE “Circle of Excellence” Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards as well as a 2002 AFP/Kintera Outstanding Internet Fundraising Award.
Hernandez earned an Executive Master’s degree in Leadership from The McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University in Washington DC; completed a Management Certificate Program at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA; and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History at Wayne State University in Detroit.
