Dear Trojan Community,
I am excited to announce that Scott Rabenold has been appointed senior vice president for university advancement and alumni relations, effective February 1, 2023. Scott comes to us from the University of Texas at Austin, where he has served as vice president for development since 2016.
An accomplished development leader, he firmly believes in the power of philanthropy to drive USC’s ambitious institutional priorities. Scott’s enviable track record of success with large-scale university advancement – coupled with a clear vision for engagement with our devoted and loyal alumni and supporters – will have far-reaching impact.
Working closely with deans and advancement professionals across every USC school and unit, Scott will lead our philanthropic priorities and guide alumni engagement activities to support USC’s world-class academics. His experience will be invaluable as USC moves forward with a series of strategic initiatives that strengthen our position as a global leader in academics and research over the next decade and beyond.
Scott was drawn to USC because of our excellence at scale, with 22 schools and top-ranked athletics, arts, and research. He is excited to advance philanthropic giving, deepen and expand our partnerships, and engage our more than 450,000-strong alumni base. He is stepping in as we push forward with major initiatives including affordability, sustainability, and health, among other priorities across the university.
At UT-Austin, Scott led a department of 450 development professionals and more than doubled the amount of annual giving in six years. During his tenure, the university raised nearly $4 billion toward UT-Austin’s $6 billion “What Starts Here” campaign to support the institution’s strategic plan. Scott has proven that philanthropic success is achieved by building high-performing teams and nurturing strong, collaborative relationships with leaders across campus.
Prior to his time at UT-Austin, Scott was vice chancellor for development and alumni affairs at the University of Tennessee. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa and holds a master’s in business administration from Drake University.
I want to thank Tracey Vranich, who graciously stepped in as our interim senior vice president for advancement and alumni relations in April 2020. She and our talented advancement teams across the university have delivered strong philanthropic results while fostering relationships with donors and alums around the world. Scott is now poised to move quickly – thanks also to the innovative tools the team developed to engage donors and support giving. They successfully delivered the $7.16 billion Campaign for the University of Southern California, setting a solid foundation to benefit USC for decades to come.
I know Scott will be a champion for our students, faculty, staff, research, and health care teams. He will be integral to advancing USC’s vision and aspirations, reporting to me and serving on the senior leadership team. Please join me in welcoming Scott, his spouse, Sarah, and their four children to Southern California and to the Trojan Family.
Sincerely,
Carol L. Folt
President