UPDATED: April 16, 2018 at 8:12 p.m.

Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science has hired an assistant dean and promoted its director of advancement in an effort to strengthen its 10-year transformation plan.

Fred Brown, who previously worked as a senior major gifts officer at Gettysburg College, was hired as the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s assistant dean of advancement and external affairs, according to a Monday SU News release. Debra Perkins, currently the college’s director of advancement, will expand her role to streamline the college’s internal processes to connect the strategic plan with advancement efforts, per the release.

The personnel moves come as the College of Engineering and Computer Science undertakes a 10-year strategic advancement initiative, called “Transforming our Future.” The initiative, which is being funded by donations, includes plans to launch additional scholarship programs, a $6 million innovation center and endowed faculty and fellowship positions.

Brown, the college’s new assistant dean of advancement and external affairs, will help develop and execute the college’s fundraising strategic plan and direct fundraising and engagement efforts, according to the release. He’ll also oversee the advancement, external relations and communications marketing staff. Brown will report to Teresa Dahlberg, the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s dean, and Peter Cronin, SU’s vice president for development.

Perkins, in her expanded role as the College of Engineering and Computer Science’s director of advancement, will help grow the college’s engagement efforts and major gifts portfolio, according to the news release.

Perkins previously helped secure funding for three collaborative classrooms in Link Hall, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles lab at the Syracuse Center of Excellence, a new computer classroom in the Life Sciences Complex and upgrades to a Link Hall auditorium.  

According to the news release, Perkins previously helped secure funding for:

• Three collaborative classrooms in Link Hall
• The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles lab at the Syracuse Center of Excellence
• A new computer classroom in the Life Sciences Complex
• Upgrades to a Link Hall auditorium

The College of Engineering and Computer Science’s multimillion-dollar plan seeks to increase student diversity, create broader career opportunities, increase inter-university collaboration and grow research, Dahlberg has said. The plan’s first draft includes a $10 million fundraising goal for “people,” $15 million for programs and $25 million for physical space.

Dahlberg has said the Transforming our Future plan is part of SU’s broader Academic Strategic Plan, a multi-year effort to improve the SU’s research capacity and student experience. Chancellor Kent Syverud said in January that all of the university’s schools and colleges had submitted individual drafts of their strategic plans.