A person who Kansan Wesleyan University believe’s could be key to the school’s continuing growth is now on staff.

According to the school, Sara Nettleingham has joined the Institutional Advancement team as Director of Annual Giving/Stewardship. She is responsible for maintaining and strengthening the relationship between the university and its alumni, friends and benefactors and for coordinating activities that supplement and complement the university’s efforts to generate resources.

KWU says that Nettleingham brings broad-based skills in grant writing and fundraising, donor development, customer service, prospect management, marketing, event planning and training to her position.

“Sara brings energy, an impressive breadth of experience in development and a high level of professionalism to Kansas Wesleyan University that will allow us to provide an excellent level of service and engagement to our donors and constituents,” said Bill Grevas, Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

A Kansas native, Nettleingham has served in a variety of leadership roles with Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland for the past three years, most recently as Regional Manager. A Kansas State alumna, Nettleingham has been active in a variety of professional and community organizations, including the American Association of University Women (AAUW), for which she serves on the state board of directors. She has served for the past four years as program coordinator for the Women of Achievement Fundraising and Steering Committee and is a member of the Leadership Salina Class of 2010. She has also been active as a head coach for YMCA girls’ volleyball and t-ball.

Nettleingham has higher-education experience as an academic advisor, writing program coordinator, adjunct instructor, tutor, and Graduate Teaching Assistant at Kansas State. She has a B.A. and M.A. in , in English, a graduate certificate in Women’s Studies and extensive doctoral coursework in Student Affairs in Higher Education.