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In September, Lenoir-Rhyne named Senta Harvey as the new director of development, a position that plans, manages and executes fundraising strategies for the university.

“I started my career off at Walt Disney World with the Disney College Program. It was a fantastic opportunity that strengthened my marketing and communication skills, which later led me to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars,” said Harvey. 

“I loved developing campus chapters, connecting with students, and faculty and working with local businesses to provide internships and scholarship opportunities. So, I always hoped to return to higher education and be a part of an institution. The more I learned about LR and the team here, the more excited I became and knew this next step would be a great professional home,” she added.

In 2020, Harvey joined the development team for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra as development coordinator. In this position, she collaborated with the team to maintain ongoing contact with donors and to assist in planning a series of annual events. As the annual fund and sponsorships associate, she moved on to retaining the portfolio of donors through phone call campaigns and various stewardship events.

Harvey earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and took the enthusiasm that combines her skills with her passion for causes directly to the workplace. Her experience with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is the most recent in an extensive career of development and fundraising for non-profit organizations, including the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Easter Seals, along with a few real estate companies and a stint in marketing consulting.

“Fundraising is a passion that I have always enjoyed, as I love connecting with people and building mutually beneficial relationships,” Harvey shared. “It is more than raising money. It is about connections, camaraderie, and ensuring everyone feels welcomed and appreciated.

For colleges and universities, each contribution, large or small, translates to new equipment, facilities, and resources available on campus.

“What makes fundraising exciting is the reason behind what we’re doing,” Harvey shared. “It’s about giving students, faculty, everyone on campus more opportunities to continue making something that’s already great even greater.”

For Harvey successful development comes from the connections she can make with current and potential donors as well as the connections she makes with her team and colleagues.

“If you know what motivates you, then it’s a small step to connect with others to work toward a common goal,” shared Harvey. “I love collaborating with a team that provides mutual support —learning and growing together, giving, and taking feedback. I am excited about connecting with the team at LR and seeing how we can make wonderful things happen.”