Philanthropy professionals will often say, “It’s all about relationships!” For the most part, they are referring to the externally focused relationships that exist between the university and alumni, friends, and donors. But equally important to the success of any philanthropy and alumni engagement program are the internal relationships that philanthropy professionals must cultivate with their academic counterparts. Deans and department heads play a critical role in the success of the development cycle, and there are several ways that current and aspiring academic administrators may seek fruitful partnerships with their colleagues in philanthropy and alumni engagement.
Beyond Programs: Leadership Lessons from Ireland’s Inclusive Universities
During a recent sabbatical studying inclusive postsecondary education in Ireland, I visited four universities—University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Mary Immaculate
Ashley Rodrigues
July 20, 2026
