Newcomers Pre-Conference Workshop
Arrive a bit early to maximize your time in Baltimore. The following Pre-Conference program is specifically designed for you and is led by community college advancement professionals across the country. Separate registration is required and includes all sessions in this pre-conference as well as breakfast and early registration for Conference for Community College Advancement.
Building a Strong Foundation: A Pre-Conference for Newcomers to Advancement
If you are new to community colleges and/or educational advancement, where do you start? It all begins with solid planning. This pre-conference, designed specifically for people with fewer than three years of community college advancement experience, will give you a solid foundation to help ensure both your success and that of your college. You will learn how to develop an annual plan, key elements of stewardship, and – most important – how to build and nurture relationships internally and externally. Led by your colleagues from Richland Community College, this session will offer plenty of real-world examples, and you’ll leave with good questions to be asking and pearls of wisdom from advancement community college advancement veterans. Plus, you’ll be connected with a new group of professional colleagues who will be friends and fans for the rest of your career.
Schedule:
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Registration and Breakfast
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Workshop Part 1
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM Workshop Part 2
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Lunch on your own
1:00 PM CCCA Opening Plenary
Speakers
Tara Mata
Tara Mata, CFRE, is the Assistant Director of Scholarships and Advancement Services at Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois. She manages a robust scholarship program and oversees data administration, training, and integration across systems in a growing advancement team. Tara leads initiatives to enhance scholarship operations, strengthen donor stewardship, and ensure data-informed, student-centered advancement services.
With previous experience in Disability Services, Tara brings her passion for disability awareness and advocacy to advancement, championing accessibility best practices and inclusion. With an emphasis on access, equity, and community impact, she brings both strategic insight and compassionate leadership to her role in higher education advancement.
Tara holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Drake University and she is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).
Julie Melton
With over 20 years development & non-profit experience, Julie specializes in fundraising, capital campaigns, annual giving, marketing strategies, advancement services and community engagement. For the last 7 years, she has served as the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Richland Community College and Executive Director of the Richland Community College Foundation. Additionally, since 2014, she has served as Adjunct Faculty at North Park University, teaching courses in Capital Campaigns, Annual Giving, Nonprofit Management & Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations. Over her professional career, Julie has had the opportunity to work in all areas of the non-profit sector including social service, healthcare and higher education. Julie received her undergraduate degree from Indiana University and her Masters in Nonprofit Administration (MNA) from North Park University. She earned her Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation in 2009 and holds certificates in Nonprofit Management, Board Governance & Organizational Development.