Partners in VCU’s momentum
Connecting alumni, friends and campus partners to strengthen our university
About the VCU Office of Development and Alumni Relations
The VCU Office of Development and Alumni Relations is dedicated to inspiring our community to take an active role in the university’s momentum and impact. There’s truly no place like VCU — and our alumni, friends and supporters are essential to the vibrant life of our campus and the success of our mission.
Our work centers on engaging stakeholders across every school, program and campus to build meaningful relationships and maximize philanthropic support. By partnering across the institution and using high-impact strategies, we advance a comprehensive development and alumni relations program that fuels VCU’s future.
Led by interim Vice President Magnus H. Johnsson, CFRE (M.P.A.’10, Cert.’10), the development and alumni relations enterprise includes more than 250 staff focused on marketing and engagement, alumni relations, advancement solutions and core philanthropy services such as regional, planned, corporate and foundation giving as well as fundraisers focused on securing funds for the university’s schools, colleges and units and VCU Health. Together, we inspire and foster lifelong connections that transform passion into reality.
In 2025, VCU launched Unlocking Potential: VCU's Campaign for the Future. The largest fundraising campaign in VCU’s history, Unlocking Potential is a bold initiative to invest in that potential to help all who learn, teach, heal and excel at our university and health system achieve their promise.
Core Values
DAR core values are the key values that strengthen and support the work of Development and Alumni Relations in support of our core purpose: Together we build lifelong connections that transform passion into reality.
 |
Act with integrityHold ourselves to the highest standards of accountability, honesty and dependability. |
 |
Champion inclusivityHonor diversity in all forms through collaboration, respect and trust. |
 |
Demonstrate tenacityConsider every challenge an opportunity to work with an open mind, a flexible attitude and an innovative mindset. |
 |
Recognize successCelebrate the impact of our work as well as our collective and individual achievements. |
 |
Pursue excellenceAlways reach higher to achieve best-in-class, donor-centric results. |
Leadership team
Magnus H. Johnsson, CFRE (M.P.A.’10, Cert.’10)
Interim vice president, Development and Alumni Relations
Lori A. Cwalina
Senior associate vice president, Development, Colleges, Schools and Units
Niles Eggleston
Senior associate vice president, Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations
Samantha Wheeler Marrs
Senior associate vice president, Campaign Administration
Thomas Maness
Associate vice president, Transformational Philanthropy
Priscilla Cash
Interim assistant vice president, Presidential and University Philanthropy
Caitlin Doelp
Assistant vice president, clinical and center-based philanthropy, Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations
Melanie Irvin (B.S.’96)
Assistant vice president, Strategic Marketing and Engagement
College, school and unit lead development officers
L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Stevan Dozier
Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations lead development officers
Affiliated foundation leadership
