As part of efforts to better connect with people who love West Virginia University, the WVU Alumni Association is expanding with additions of new team members to work alongside current senior engagement leaders, the next step in a strategic alumni engagement partnership.
Led by Kevin Berry, who was named vice president for alumni relations earlier this year, the larger team will collaborate to create engagement programming opportunities for alumni of all ages and cultivate a multi-generational approach to growing the alumni base.
Meridith Balas has been named executive director of alumni engagement, implementing the organization’s strategic vision and priorities with a focus on organizational effectiveness and culture. Working closely with Berry, she will support the organization in policy development, alumni engagement finances and operations, constituent services and programming while prioritizing initiatives that foster life-long relationships between the University and its alumni. Balas most recently served the Alumni Association as director of alumni engagement.
Lou Hart, chief financial officer for the WVU Alumni Association, will serve in an increased capacity overseeing the stewardship of resources, operational metrics and budgets of the organization while securing its capacity to focus on meaningful alumni engagement. His work will also directly support the operation, utilization and growth of the Erickson Alumni Center. With more than ten years of service, Hart brings organizational experience and consistency to the team.
Geoff Coyle joins the alumni engagement team as the director of volunteer engagement, overseeing engagement opportunities for 75+ chapter and interest groups including volunteerism, service, personal and professional development and events and programs for alumni around the world. Prior to joining the alumni engagement team, Coyle served as a senior social media editor for University Relations and Enrollment Management.
Jessica McGee also joins the alumni engagement team as director of marketing and communications, managing the Association’s strategic communications and continuing to tell stories of alumni and friends of WVU. Her work will focus on raising brand awareness for the Alumni Association and Erickson Alumni Center while continuing to connect and communicate meaningfully with graduates. Prior to joining the alumni engagement team, McGee served as director of marketing and communications for the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and as assistant director of communications for the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
David Allaway will continue to focus on cultivating meaningful relationships and resource development to support the organization’s strategic priorities and other University-wide initiatives in his role working for the WVU Foundation as the Association’s director of development. Allaway joined the alumni engagement team in 2019.
“The mission of the WVU Alumni Association is to create connection and community for our constituents while also serving the strategic interests of West Virginia University,” Berry said. “I look forward to working closely with this team of talented servant leaders as we implement our strategic engagement priorities and continue to elevate the alumni experience.”
The WVU Alumni Association was organized in 1873 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 1977. It is the oldest University affiliate serving its largest constituency.
