On this episode of the RAISE podcast, Brent gets the scoop from Jessica Jones Wilson, Associate Vice President for College Advancement at Dickinson College. Jessica got hooked on fundraising when she secured her first $1K gift as a student telefund caller at Albright College. Since then she’s had experience in just about every facet of development work, and it shows. Jessica and her team of prospect researchers at Dickinson have launched some amazing initiatives, including their Presidential Fellows program through which students connect with alums in their hometowns every summer (and gather invaluable data through those conversations); and the Revolutionary Challenge that empowered the Dickinson alumni community to suggest, vote on, build out, and promote the priorities of their new capital campaign. It’s clear that Jessica fits in well at the helm of her team of creative, inspired, data-loving go-getters who continue to shoot the moon.About JessicaJessica joined Dickinson College in 2015 and currently serves as the Associate Vice President for College Advancement. Jessica manages Advancement Services, Prospect Research, Donor Relations, Alumni & Parent Relations and the Annual Giving offices. She served as the Advancement representative on the College’s Strategic Planning Committee in FY16 and the 2017 Presidential Transition Committee where she led the national tour to introduce the new president. In FY17, she led her team through a successful database conversion from Banner to Raiser’s Edge. In 2019, Jessica's team established the Presidential Fellows program- approximately 25 current students were hired to go home over the summer and interview alumni. This discovery initiative resulted in over 800 interviews. In 2020 despite Covid challenges, students interviewed over 1300 Dickinsonians. Jessica served on the college's FY21 Financial Working Group. She currently serves on the Fall 2020 Reopening Implementation Committee - specifically on the subcommittees for Health & Quarantine and Travel & Campus Safety.Jessica led the technology and event needs for the Revolutionary Challenge - a chance for Dickinsonians to come together, leverage the college’s emerging and existing strengths and address grand challenges with big ideas and bold deeds. In October 2020, Dickinson held an event that will brought the four finalist teams together to present to the Dickinson community. Originally planned for May 2020, the team pivoted and held the successful event virtually.Prior to Dickinson, she worked for Gettysburg College as Interim Campaign Director and Director of Prospect Research. Jessica’s career in advancement began as an phonathon caller at her alma mater, Albright College, Reading PA. She also worked for Hollins University, Roanoke, VA in several different positions over a seven-year period, including Annual Fund Director. Jessica’s background in annual giving gives her a unique perspective on prospect research, solicitations, and portfolio management.Jessica is passionate about philanthropy, higher education and the liberal arts. She is a member of the Blackbaud Higher Education Executive Advisory Board and volunteers for Junior Achievement for the local schools. She is past Secretary of the Mechanicsburg Midget Football Association, the former President of APRA-PA, and co-chaired the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Researchers Conference. She lives in Mechanicsburg, PA with her husband, their 14-year old son, and their pets - Vinegar the cat and Sprite the dog.