Lauren Villanueva, Ed.D.

In her current role, Lauren directs a comprehensive programming, volunteer, annual giving, and communications strategy designed to deepen meaningful engagement among Syracuse University’s 300,000+ alumni worldwide. She collaborates with the Syracuse University Alumni Association Board of Directors, campus stakeholders, and volunteer leaders to support philanthropic and engagement priorities associated with the Forever Orange campaign.

Prior to joining the Syracuse University team in July 2022, Lauren was Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of the Alumni Board of Governors at Drexel University in Philadelphia. In this role, she developed the strategy to guide programs, volunteer engagement, and data management in the context of the university’s recently concluded $750 million campaign, The Future Is a Place We Make. She led the Alumni Board through a transition at the start of the campaign to enhance its strategic alignment with the institution and ensure that membership was representative of the diverse identities and lived experiences of the Drexel community.

Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications, a Master of Science in higher education administration and organizational management, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership and management, all from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Her research interests center on talent management within higher education Institutional Advancement. She has also served as an adjunct instructor for Drexel’s School of Education and College of Arts and Sciences and is a regular presenter for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and other professional organizations.