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Austin Peay State University names Kris Phillips as executive director of University Advancement

Austin Peay State University - APSUClarksville, TN – Kristopher Phillips (’91), a nationally recognized advancement professional, was recently named executive director of the Austin Peay State University Office of University Advancement. Roy Gregory previously served in that position until he retired last June after 24 years of service to APSU.

“We’re excited to have someone of Kris’s caliber lead our advancement efforts,” Derek van der Merwe, APSU vice president of Advancement, Communication and Strategic Initiatives, said. “He understands the intricacies of raising money for institutions of higher education, he is considered a national leader in his profession and his expertise will help guide our advancement team to provide more opportunities for deserving young men and women who wish to earn a college education.”

Kristopher Phillips named executive director of University Advancement for APSU.
Kristopher Phillips named executive director of University Advancement for APSU.

Phillips will begin his new role at APSU on March 1st, and his arrival on campus will mark a homecoming for the APSU graduate. Phillips previously served the University as an admissions counselor, an admissions manager, assistant director of development and director of alumni and annual giving.

“I am truly excited to be coming home,” Phillips said. “Austin Peay has always had a special place in my heart. To be able to go out and raise support for a place that has meant so much to me and my family is a great privilege and humbling honor.

“It has never been a better time to BE A GOV! President Alisa White is an inspirational visionary. I am thankful for the opportunity she and Derek have given me to lead our extremely talented University Advancement team. I look forward to working with our alumni, friends, faculty and staff to share Dr. White’s vision for Austin Peay and continue the success of the University Advancement office experienced under my colleague and friend Roy Gregory. He is the consummate professional and I look forward to working with him during the transition.”

During his initial tenure at APSU, Phillips identified and cultivated several major gifts, developed a comprehensive annual giving program for the University and managed the overall operations of the 24,000-member National Alumni Association. His success atAPSU came to the attention of the University of Tennessee system’s office, where he was named director of alumni programs in September 2000.

While in Knoxville, Phillips assisted with that school’s $1 billion capital campaign—The Campaign for Tennessee. In 2008, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis tapped him for the position of acting assistant vice chancellor for Alumni Relations.

In 2010, he was named associate vice chancellor of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. While in Memphis, Phillips served as Chief Alumni Officer for the UTHSC, where he implemented the first UT Alumni Association strategic plan and helped increase donations to UTHSC.

Earlier this year, Phillips also was named chair of District III for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)—a professional association that advances and supports educational and professional institutions by enhancing the effectiveness of the alumni relations, fund raising, communications, marketing and other advancement professionals who serve them. District III, the second largest district in North America, is comprised of nine states within the Southeastern United States.

Phillips and his wife, Tammy, have two sons, Brayden and Parker. Parker is freshman on the Austin Peay baseball team.

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