Founded in 1696, St. John’s College is the third-oldest college in the United States, rooted in a tradition of intellectual inquiry and the pursuit of wisdom.
With campuses in Annapolis, Maryland, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, the College is widely recognized for its rigorous and distinctive Great Books curriculum, which emphasizes collaborative learning, close reading, and critical dialogue across disciplines. Students engage with enduring works of philosophy, literature, mathematics, political theory, music, science, and language, experiencing a fully integrated four-year liberal arts education without majors or electives.
Each campus offers a unique and enriching environment. Annapolis is embedded in the historic heart of Maryland’s capital city along the Chesapeake Bay, while Santa Fe is set amid the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, fostering a culture of reflection and creativity. Together, these locations embody the College’s ethos of open inquiry, respectful dialogue, and academic rigor, uniting students, faculty, alumni, and staff in a community committed to the transformative power of ideas.
The Opportunity
St. John’s College seeks a visionary and collaborative Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Relations (VPA) to build on recent fundraising momentum and chart a new path for philanthropic growth.
Reporting directly to the College President, the VPA will lead all advancement and engagement initiatives, guiding a team of 12 professional staff and positioning the College for its next capital campaign. The successful candidate will bring deep experience in campaign planning and execution, proven skill in cultivating and soliciting major donors, and the ability to strengthen internal systems while fostering a vibrant culture of philanthropy across the institution.
This is a pivotal moment for St. John’s, following the record-setting Freeing Minds campaign that raised $326 million to strengthen the endowment, expand financial aid, support campus enhancements, and advance the College’s mission of offering an “education for all.” The next VPA will carry forward this momentum, working closely with trustees, faculty, and alumni to sustain annual giving programs, broaden donor pools, and steward alumni relations initiatives.
The salary range for this role is $170,000 – $190,000.
