Central State University appoints Rebecca Kocher as vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director of the CSU Foundation

Central State University (CSU) has announced the appointment of Rebecca Kocher, the current vice president for Advancement and Alumni Engagement at Wittenberg University, as the new vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director of the CSU Foundation following a national search. Kocher will officially begin her role on Dec. 9, 2024.

“In Vice President Kocher, we have found an exceptional leader who cares deeply about CSU’s mission and purpose and who has the experience, commitment, and collaborative spirit to position CSU for considerable philanthropic success,” said CSU President Morakinyo A.O. Kuti, Ph.D.

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A nationally recognized leader in fundraising, campaign execution, and donor engagement, Kocher led Wittenberg University's successful $100 million "Having Light" comprehensive campaign, which exceeded its goal by $13 million and concluded nine months ahead of schedule. Her extensive experience includes developing and implementing strategic initiatives that expand outreach with limited resources, as well as fostering relationship-building and cross-divisional collaboration.

With more than 19 years in higher education fundraising, Kocher is known for creating metric-driven environments that emphasize accountability and high-touch donor engagement. Her career reflects a deep commitment to advancing institutional missions through innovative strategies and targeted outreach.

In 2023, Kocher was selected as one of 30 women for the American Council on Education's (ACE) new Women's Leadership Mentoring Program, which seeks to increase the number and diversity of women in executive roles at higher education institutions. Kocher is also a cabinet member for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District V for fiscal year 2025 and previously co-chaired and chaired the CASE Campaigns Workshop in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Before joining Wittenberg, Kocher served at Bowling Green State University, where she contributed to the success of a $200 million comprehensive campaign, as well as at Albion College and the University of Mary Washington, where she consistently surpassed annual giving and parent participation goals.

In her new role at Central State University, Kocher will lead fundraising and alumni engagement efforts, leveraging her expertise in strategic outreach and collaboration to support the University's mission of advancement and community engagement.

“I am honored to join the Central State University family and look forward to working alongside President Kuti, the CSU Foundation, and the broader community to advance the University's mission," Kocher said. 

"Central State has a rich history and a bright future, and I’m excited to contribute to its continued growth by building strong relationships, fostering engagement, and driving impactful fundraising efforts that will support students, faculty, and the broader community.”