St. Bonaventure University has named Chris Scheppner, ’13, ’14, as its associate vice president for Alumni Engagement, Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president, announced today. Scheppner, who returns to his alma mater in this new leadership role, will begin in mid-May.
Turns out, you can come home again.
St. Bonaventure University has named Chris Scheppner, ’13, ’14, as its associate vice president for Alumni Engagement, Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president, announced today. Scheppner, who returns to his alma mater in this new leadership role, will begin in mid-May.
Scheppner brings more than a decade of experience in higher education admissions and enrollment leadership, including extensive service at St. Bonaventure earlier in his career.
“Anybody who knows me knows how important St. Bonaventure is to me, first as a student, then during my time in the Admissions Office,” Scheppner said. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return in this new role and reconnect with our alumni community. The passion we Bonnies have for this university is truly special, and I look forward to helping strengthen those lifelong connections and celebrating the impact our alumni make around the world.”
Most recently, Scheppner has served as assistant vice president for enrollment management and director of admissions at Marietta College in Ohio, where he led a team of admissions professionals and oversaw strategic recruitment initiatives. Prior to that role, he was Marietta’s director of admissions, managing a staff of 11 and implementing new marketing and communications strategies to strengthen enrollment outcomes.
Throughout his career, Scheppner has focused on building personal connections with students and families, often serving as one of their first points of contact with the university. That relationship-driven approach will carry forward in his work with alumni, helping to strengthen the lifelong bond so many Bonnies feel with St. Bonaventure.
He began his career in Bonaventure’s Admissions Office in 2014 and steadily advanced through multiple roles, including admissions counselor, assistant director, and associate director of admissions. During his tenure, Scheppner played a key role in growing enrollment across several major markets, managing high-impact programs such as the university’s Franciscan Health Care Professions program, and helping to enroll some of the university’s largest incoming classes in recent years.
“Chris brings a deep love for St. Bonaventure, a strong understanding of our alumni community, and a proven ability to build meaningful relationships,” Gingerich said. “Through his work in Admissions, he connected with students and families at the very start of their Bonaventure journey. That experience gives him a unique perspective as he steps into this role, helping to strengthen those connections for years to come. This is an important investment in how we engage and support our alumni community moving forward.”
In his new role, Scheppner will lead the university’s alumni engagement strategy, a key priority for the institution, with a focus on strengthening connections, expanding opportunities for alumni involvement, and building on the university’s commitment to fostering lifelong relationships with Bonnies around the world.
Scheppner was recognized with the university’s Outstanding Staff Achievement Award in 2022 for his contributions to the Bonaventure community.
Scheppner has also been active in professional and community organizations, including serving as a college fair co-chair for the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling and contributing to conference planning efforts. During his time at SBU, Scheppner also served as an ESPN+ play-by-play announcer and analyst for St. Bonaventure basketball.
Scheppner earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass communication in 2013 and a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communication in 2014.
The university also announced several leadership updates within its Advancement team.
CJ Pierce has been named director of Annual Giving, effective immediately. In this role, he will lead the university’s annual giving programs, including The Bonaventure Fund and the Bonnies Athletic Fund, with a focus on growing participation and strengthening a culture of philanthropy among alumni, families and friends. Pierce previously served as coordinator of the Bonnies Athletic Fund, where he played a key role in athletics fundraising and donor engagement.
This spring, Angela Nelson, ’19, will transition into a newly defined role as associate director of Advancement & Athletic Event Operations. In this role, she will help shape and execute many of the university’s most visible alumni, donor and athletics-related events. Nelson brings deep institutional knowledge and longstanding relationships across the Bonaventure community that will be invaluable in creating meaningful experiences that bring alumni and friends together in support of the university.
Also this spring, Mandi Wilton-Davis, ’03, will assume the role of senior director of Donor Relations & Advancement Communications. She will lead efforts to enhance the donor experience through stewardship, recognition and storytelling that highlights the impact of philanthropy. Wilton-Davis currently serves as director of Advancement Operations and brings a strong understanding of advancement systems and strategy to this expanded role.
Together, these appointments reflect the university’s continued investment in alumni engagement, the donor experience, and building a more connected Bonaventure community, Gingerich said.
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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).