Summer Institute in Advancement Services 2025
This unique and engaging learning experience blends practical knowledge with meaningful connection. You'll dive into core concepts, sharpen your skills, and walk away with tools to enhance your impact on your institution—all while expanding your professional network and having fun along the way.
Join us this summer to hit the books, review the basics, and start your path to success in advancement services!
Join the conversation #casesias
Why You Need to Attend the Summer Institutes 2025
Hear what past attendees say about the Summer Institute in Advancement Services
Who Should Attend
- Early Career Professionals in Advancement Services/ Advancement Operations
- Those new to their roles in Advancement Services/Operations
- Advancement Professionals who are new to higher education
- Anyone looking to build a stronger foundation in the essential areas of Advancement Services/Operations.
Content Highlights in Advancement Services
- Advancement Services Primer
- Fundamentals of Gift Processing & Sticky Gifts
- Building a Data-Centered Culture at Your Institution
- Portfolio and Moves Management
- Standard Reports, Metrics & KPI's
- Gift Agreements & Compliance
- Cyber Security & Data Governance
Institute Experience Highlights
- All-Institute general sessions that explore key concepts from inclusion and belonging to emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, leadership, and integrity.
- Interdisciplinary elective sessions that provide industry-sector expertise in educational fundraising, advancement services, alumni relations and communications and marketing.
- Small Group, Faculty-Led Advisory Meetings designed to target essential content covered each day.
- Peer to Peer Networking Opportunities
Meet Your Institute Chair
Katie Harrell
Katie Harrell is the Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Organizational Development at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. An MBA-educated advancement leader, she brings a proven record of driving organizational change in complex, matrixed environments. Katie operates at the intersection of data, systems, and people—building infrastructure that empowers teams to perform at their highest level.
Katie’s work is guided by her commitment to building healthy, human-centered organizations where people thrive—because when individuals are supported, they fuel the future of the institution.
With a background spanning analytics, business operations, and fundraising strategy, Katie bridges the gap between technical implementation and strategic execution. Her work translates data into action and centers the individual contributor experience to drive institutional results.
Katie earned her MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and her Bachelor of Music from the University of Louisville.