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Impact

Sischo To Serve On Philanthropic Commission

NC State’s vice chancellor for university advancement was selected for his extraordinary commitment to higher education. His work promises to benefit faculty and students in North Carolina and beyond.

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Brian C. Sischo, NC State’s vice chancellor for university advancement, has been selected to serve on the CASE Commission on Philanthropy, a leading think tank for higher-education professionals.

CASE, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, is an international community of alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and advancement services professionals. Its members and volunteers work together through a variety of channels — including training, conferences, awards and shared resource programs — to champion education in order to transform lives and society. 

The organization’s three advisory commissions bring together top professionals representing alumni relations, communications and philanthropy. Commissions meet twice a year to focus on relevant topics; this spring’s meetings, for example, are expected to include a large focus on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected CASE members’ institutions and advancement work.

Insights from commission members largely shape CASE’s efforts, ensuring that they reflect current knowledge, emerging issues, and the highest ethical and professional standards. The commissions inform the organization’s membership response and advance its strategic plan.

Sischo is slated to serve a three-year term, starting in July and ending in June 2024.

A portrait of Brian Sischo.
Brian C. Sischo, vice chancellor for university advancement at NC State University.

“I am honored to represent NC State on the CASE Commission on Philanthropy,” Sischo said. “My selection for this group reflects the high regard so many people in our advancement profession have for all of the great work going on at our university. I look forward to the chance to share insights and best practices back and forth with colleagues in other institutions, to strengthen our collective impact on higher-education, and to learn more about current research efforts and the challenges facing our advancement shops.”

As the leader of a comprehensive University Advancement organization at NC State, Sischo oversees four departments: Advancement Services, Alumni Relations, University Communications and Marketing, and University Development. He leads a hybrid team of more than 240 centrally-based and college-based staff to strengthen relationships with alumni and donors, elevate the university’s brand and build a culture of philanthropy. Sischo also serves as president of the NC State University Foundation. 

Under Sischo’s leadership, NC State in late 2016 launched the most ambitious fundraising campaign in university history, a $1.6 billion effort to increase scholarship support, fund research and faculty positions, create and revitalize campus infrastructure and increase the university’s endowment. The Campaign, which lasts through Dec. 31, 2021, surpassed its goal in November 2019; to date, more than 100,000 donors have contributed more than $1.9 billion.

On March 24, NC State’s latest Day of Giving set a national record for dollars raised during college and university giving days, according to the consulting firm State of Wow. At the close of the day, real-time numbers reflected 14,272 gifts totaling $58,103,657.

“Brian’s leadership has been nothing short of extraordinary and is helping NC State build tremendous momentum,” said Chancellor Randy Woodson. “The work of his team in University Advancement is transformational. This trailblazing group of professionals is making a difference for our entire university community.”

Prior to joining NC State in early 2014, Sischo served as vice president for development at Syracuse University, where he spearheaded the planning, implementation and successful conclusion of the university’s first-ever $1 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. Before arriving at Syracuse in 2001, Sischo worked at his alma mater, Clarkson University, serving as the chief development officer, and led two successful capital campaigns. Sischo earned a B.S. in finance and a master’s degree in management systems from Clarkson.

“Building on the success of the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign, University Advancement launched a five-year strategic plan roadmap in 2018, in order to continue improving every aspect of what we do,” Sischo said. “The chance to serve on this CASE commission is another way to support our team’s efforts to elevate NC State and benefit students, faculty and staff, colleges and units, and citizens across our state and beyond.”  

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