Shawn Gavin, a fundraising and development professional with 25 years of experience working within top academic institutions and nonprofit organizations, is UNC Kenan-Flagler’s new associate dean for advancement, effective July 22, 2024.
Gavin had served as Cornell Law School’s associate dean of alumni affairs and development since 2017, overseeing five of the school’s top fundraising years in its history. He previously held director of development positions at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law and its School of Education and Social Policy, and for Voices for Illinois Children.
He began his career as a fundraising and management consultant for Chicago-based Alford Group, working with more than 60 nonprofit organizations. He earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kalamazoo College.
“His broad and deep fundraising experience at top professional schools is wonderful preparation for his role here,” Dean Mary Margaret Frank (BSBA ’92, MAC ’92, PhD ’99) said in an email announcing Gavin’s appointment. “His collaborative approach to building meaningful relationships across the School and University and with key stakeholders makes him the right person for this role.
“He looks forward to working with our talented and successful advancement team to set a shared vision and strategy, and to contributing to our mission to develop leaders who make the world a better place.”
Professor Mike Christian
Kaitlin Coleman (BS ’23, MAC ’24)
Congratulations to the 76 Master of Accounting (MAC) Program students who became the School’s newest alumni following a June 21 graduation ceremony at the Carolina Club. “Honored to be a double Tar Heel for life!” Kaitlin Coleman (BS ’23, MAC ’24) shared on LinkedIn. Coleman, who had a double concentration in financial analysis/reporting and audit, heads to Deloitte in September to launch her career as an audit assistant.
“My time at UNC was amazing — filled with rigorous classes, inspiring professors and faculty, and great friends who made this journey unforgettable,” Coleman wrote. “The program has equipped me with a deep understanding of accounting principles and practical skills that I look forward to applying in the professional world.”
Commencement speaker Kelli Knoble (BSBA ’92, MAC ’92), national managing partner of wealth and human capital services at Grant Thornton, urged graduates to achieve professional and personal success by challenging boundaries and breaking them. “The future of our profession is bright with you all launching careers,” Knoble wrote on LinkedIn. “There are so many opportunities ahead for all of you.”
The online MAC Class of 2024 will be honored during an October ceremony with MBA@UNC and Evening Executive MBA Program graduates.
The affordable housing project student team with Professor Eric Maribojoc (far right)
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Professor Chijioge Nwogu (MBA ’18) is shooting his shot. GameFlo, the educational technology company Nwogu co-founded, is celebrating the launch of its card game PICKUP Basketball in more than 1,700 Target stores nationwide.
The innovative game for ages 8 and older uses basketball concepts to teach analytical skills, critical thinking and strategy, and it reflects GameFlo’s mission of more inclusive gaming. “Seeing PICKUP Basketball on display in Target for the first time had me dancing for joy!!” Nwogu shared in a LinkedIn post that includes a video of himself dancing in a Target store after spotting the game on a shelf.
GameFlo was born in 2018 through the Launch Chapel Hill startup accelerator. Nwogo later received support through $50,000 NC Idea grant, a Kickstarter campaign and Target’s Forward Founders business accelerator. Nwogu and PICKUP received major exposure in June on an episode of TNT’s “Inside the NBA.”
Alice Clifford
To submit news items to be considered for “In other news,” email jordan.bartel@kenan-flagler.unc.edu.