FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Megan Rock has joined Sacred Heart University as vice president of University Advancement. She will oversee the Division of University Advancement, which includes the Development Office and the Alumni Relations Office. In that role, she is responsible for increasing the philanthropic support for the University. This will include planning, initiating, directing, reporting and evaluating all fundraising activities for the University from private and public sources, as well as working to engage alumni with the University.

Previously, Rock was vice president for Institutional Advancement for Southern Connecticut State University. While at Southern, she served as chief development officer with responsibility for marketing, alumni relations, development and the management of leadership-level prospects. Her accomplishments included securing the single largest outright gift in university history; soliciting the first-ever gift for the naming of a university facility and receiving a gift of $1.3 million to establish the first endowed chair in the university’s 116-year history. She also increased philanthropic support for the university consistently over five years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in textile marketing from the University of Maryland.

Rock said she chose to come to Sacred Heart University because of its overall mission, established identity and the high regard that alumni have for the University. “Those things make my job a lot easier,” she said. She was also excited to join a University that was entering a new phase with the inauguration of its sixth president.

Going forward, Rock said she hopes to engage more of the University community in development activities. “Fundraising is not just the responsibility of the Development Office; everyone has a role in it,” she said. “This is a really special time here, and I have the opportunity to work with a wonderful group of alumni and friends whose support will have an impact now and in the future.”

She said she met many SHU constituents at the inauguration festivities and during homecoming and is looking forward to meeting with many more alumni and supporters of the university in the coming months.