Allyssa Joseph named Alumni & Foundation’s new executive director

Allyssa Joseph has been appointed by President John L. Hoffman as executive director of the Bemidji State Alumni & Foundation, as well as vice president for advancement supporting both BSU and Northwest Technical College.

Joseph is energized by the opportunity to help support Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College students as they prepare for their futures in a complex, interconnected global society. She says her new role will combine her passion for the mission of higher education with the power of donors and friends to help BSU and NTC keenly focus on their institutional priorities.

“These institutions are preparing the leaders of tomorrow and equipping them with solutions to power us through times of economic uncertainty, environmental disruptions and social unrest,” she said. “The faculty, staff and students I met during my interview are dedicated to this mission, as well. I can't wait to begin advancing the culture of philanthropy that everyone is so hungry for at BSU and NTC.”

Joseph said that, in addition to helping students develop leadership skills, the mission of higher education also creates unparalleled opportunities for college graduates to improve their lives by changing their economic trajectories.

“I’m most interested in fundraising for institutions of higher education that are laser-focused on providing globally relevant, high-quality, holistic education that will lead to economic mobility for its students,” she said.

Joseph currently serves Metropolitan State University in Denver as director of development. As part of a 12-member team, she manages a portfolio of more than 100 donors and contacts and is the primary campaign liaison to three members of the MSU Denver Foundation’s board. This fiscal year alone, she has helped Metro State’s School of Education raise more than $500,000 and is on track to meet individual goals of $1.25 million in cash donations and $2 million in planned gifts. In a previous role with Metro State she also helped to secure a $750,000 gift to support scholarships for Latino and Latina, Chicano and Chicana, and Mexicano and Mexicana students.

Prior to her current role, Joseph held other positions at Metropolitan State including assistant director of annual giving and associate director of major gifts. She also previously served as director of alumni engagement and stewardship and the director of annual giving and major gifts at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa.

“Allyssa Joseph is a passionate servant leader with high ethical standards and a deep commitment to our cornerstone values — advancing holistic student learning and success and diversity, equity and inclusion,” Hoffman said. “She will be a strong leader for her team and a strong partner on our campuses and in the community.

“I am excited to welcome Allyssa into our BSU and NTC communities and to have the opportunity to work for her during this important moment in history for our campuses,” he said. “Allyssa will guide us toward a shared philanthropic culture that spans our entire shared community of colleagues, friends and alumni.”

Joseph will assume leadership of BSU Alumni & Foundation at a crucial juncture, as the university continues behind-the-scenes work to imagine the scope and priorities for its next capital campaign. Additionally, Joseph will be the first advancement leader at BSU to also provide strategic support for fundraising initiatives at Northwest Technical College.

“My team is well-positioned for fundraising success, and I am humbled by the opportunity to serve this community,” she said. “Through their support for our students, donors will be able to impact every facet of society and fill shortages in the Minnesota labor market and beyond with mindful and talented alumni.”

Joe Grabowski, president of the BSU Alumni & Foundation Board of Directors, said the board is looking forward to its partnership with Joseph.

“We are excited to begin working alongside her to advance the foundation’s mission,” he said. “We are confident that with Allyssa’s passion and skillset, we will begin a bold new trajectory of success.”

Joseph has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Upper Iowa University and a professional writing certificate from Metropolitan State University, Denver.

Her appointment at BSU and NTC will begin June 5, 2023.