Matthew Brandon named chief advancement officer for inclusion and diversity
Matthew Brandon has been named the chief advancement officer for inclusion and diversity at Virginia Tech.
Brandon will coordinate advancement initiatives, including communications, alumni engagement, and philanthropy, to support inclusion and diversity efforts.
He comes to Virginia Tech from the University of Virginia Alumni Association. There, Brandon served as executive director of the Ridley Scholarship Fund for nearly four years.
The fund, named for UVA’s first African-American graduate, awards scholarships to high-achieving African-American students.
In his position, Brandon raised more than $2 million for merit scholarships for African-American students. He also managed founding members and principal donors of the scholarship fund and worked with all current and recent Ridley Scholars.
“I’m thrilled Matthew will be joining us,” Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion, and Strategic Affairs Menah Pratt-Clarke said. “During his time at UVA, Matthew worked to represent issues of importance to African-American students and alumni. He has a long track record of success in both alumni engagement and fundraising.”
Prior to his time at UVA, Brandon worked at Lynchburg College for 10 years. He served as associate vice president for alumni relations before being promoted to associate vice president for advancement.
As associate vice president for alumni relations, Brandon managed the Office of Alumni Programs and the alumni board of directors. As associate vice president, he managed all advancement staff, including major gift officers, annual fund staff, and advancement services.
Brandon has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of William & Mary and a master’s degree in journalism from Ohio University.
Brandon has also been active in the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education as a speaker at multiple conferences and as a member of the 2017 class of the Minority Advancement Institute.
Outside higher education, Brandon has served on the board of trustees for the Virginia Episcopal School, the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Council, the James River Day School Board of Trustees, and has been active in the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Lynchburg Alumni Chapter.
“I’m excited to welcome Matthew to Blacksburg,” Senior Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations Matthew M. Winston Jr. said. “He brings a wealth of experience to this position. Matthew’s work in alumni relations means he knows how to engage alums and keep them connected with their alma mater. I look forward to seeing the impact he will make on the alumni engagement of underrepresented communities.”
Brandon will begin March 11 and will report jointly to Winston and Pratt-Clarke.
