Park University Promotes Ford to Position of Associate Vice President for Progress and Development
Melissa Ford Appointed as Associate Vice President for Advancement at Park University
Melissa Ford, a seasoned fundraising professional, has taken on a new role at Park University. Effective from today, she will serve as the Associate Vice President for Advancement, a position that requires her to implement a variety of fundraising campaigns to support the University's mission and goals.
Ford's extensive career in fundraising spans various sectors. She has worked as a major gifts officer and donor relations manager for Girls Scouts of Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri. In Kansas City, she also served as the director of major gifts for the Kansas City Ballet and the director of philanthropic giving for the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Missouri - Kansas City.
At Park University, Ford's role is focused on organizing and executing fundraising strategies for capital campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, and special events. Her responsibilities include planning, organizing, and implementing these campaigns to raise funds for the University's mission and goals.
In addition to her work in education, Ford has experience in political fundraising, having served as a campaign manager and fundraiser for the Missouri House of Representatives District 56 from 2013-15. She also served as the executive director and CEO for the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Ford's dedication to the community is evident in her service as the president of the Kansas City Ballet Guild's Board of Directors in 2022-23 and as a member of the Kansas City Ballet Guild's Board of Directors. She also co-founded the Dental Coalition and was involved with an award-winning local initiative supporting women and children, although these roles were not directly tied to universities or formal development positions.
Ford earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance from Oklahoma City University. Her diverse background and experience make her an excellent fit for her new role at Park University.
- Melissa Ford's diverse background, encompassing roles in education and self-development like her service with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and career development as a major gifts officer and director, equips her well for her new position at Park University.
- In her role as Associate Vice President for Advancement at Park University, Melissa Ford will oversee a variety of fundraising efforts aimed at both education-and-self-development and career-development opportunities, leveraging her extensive experience in these areas to support the University's mission and goals.
