Cheryl Harrelson, associate vice chancellor for Alumni, Annual Giving and Pipeline Development at the University of California San Diego, has been appointed vice president for University Advancement and president of the Georgia State University Foundation.

“We are extremely excited about Cheryl joining Georgia State,” said Georgia State President M. Brian Blake. “With more than 25 years in advancement at multiple institutions, she brings a strategic focus, a fresh perspective and proven leadership as we enter a new capital campaign.”

Harrelson joined UC San Diego in 2017 where she oversees alumni relations, career services, annual giving, campus initiatives and international engagement. Harrelson helped lead the Campaign for UC San Diego, the university’s comprehensive capital campaign, which successfully raised $3 billion and exceeded fundraising goals by $1 billion. Harrelson's team built traditions to better engage alumni across the world and developed strategies for greater participation leading to a stronger pipeline.

She has served in leadership roles through multiple successful capital campaigns, and managed portfolios of major and principal prospects.

Prior to UC San Diego, Harrelson served as the vice president of advancement and president of the foundation at New Mexico State University, associate vice president for annual giving, stewardship and special events at Washington State University, associate vice president for advancement information services at James Madison University and in a number of positions at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical (A&T) State University.

Harrelson received her bachelor's degree in mathematics/applied science from the University of California Los Angeles, a master's degree in higher education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and a master's degree in computer information systems from the University of Phoenix.

She will begin her new role at Georgia State May 1.