Get to Know: Ann McCullen, VP for Development and Alumni Engagement
Ann McCullen, vice president for University development and alumni engagement, is a cabinet member of UNF President Szymanski’s Executive Cabinet.
Get to Know Ann:
As vice president for University development and alumni engagement, Ann is responsible for providing vision and leadership in the planning, organizing and implementation of fundraising initiatives that benefit students, faculty and programs while engaging both UNF alumni and the community. Ann also serves as executive director of the UNF Foundation where she works closely with board members and is responsible for supervising approved Foundation activities.
Ann has been with UNF for 18 years, previously serving as associate vice president of development, assistant vice president of development and director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS).
Favorite spots on campus: I often go out of my way to walk through bamboo garden because it’s so peaceful, tall and green like a little oasis on campus. I have a soft spot for the library as well because I spent so much time there when I was working on my UNF MBA degree.
Most unique aspects of UNF: The incredible, generous support to UNF from the NEFL community. So many of our donors did not grow up locally but later moved to the First Coast and want to make a philanthropic impact through higher education and UNF. I also have to give a shout-out to the gorgeous, natural, and compact campus.
Proudest accomplishments at UNF: Working for many years with David and Ann Hicks to create the UNF Hicks Honors College at UNF. Ann Hicks got her bachelor’s degree at UNF after her three children left for college and years later, she and David wanted to create a sixth college at UNF for honors students. They also created two significant scholarship programs at UNF in addition to the Hicks Honors College. Seeing the impact of their generous philanthropic support helping so many UNF students today, is truly heartwarming.
Hobbies and interests outside of UNF: Spending time at the beach looking for shark teeth and traveling.
Favorite advice or quotes: “Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.”