Davenport University names new executive vice president of alumni and development

Davenport University announced on March 12, 2019 that it has named Rachel Render as its new executive vice president of alumni and development.

Render will begin the new role in April, bringing extensive leadership experience in institutional advancement to Davenport University. She most recently served as the senior director of development for the University of Colorado Boulder.

“Rachel is a dynamic and innovative leader who has a profound capacity for building relationships and supporting a university’s vision for growth,” said Dr. Richard J. Pappas, president of Davenport University. “She will be instrumental in helping Davenport University further its mission of transforming the lives of our students by preparing them for the world’s fastest growing careers.”

In her new role at Davenport University, Render will be responsible for driving meaningful engagement with alumni and increasing philanthropic support.

“I am incredibly impressed by the mission and vision of Davenport and I look forward to helping the university to continue to grow in its core mission of transforming communities and changing lives through higher education,” said Render.

For the last four years, Render served as a senior director within the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder, working with alumni and donors in New York City and Chicago. Prior to joining the University of Colorado Boulder, she was with the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University, where she led the school to the successful completion of the $65 million Rice Centennial Campaign. She also served in a progression of assistant and associate director roles in development and alumni relations at the University of Michigan for eight years, primarily within the Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

Render is replacing Peg Luy, who retired in January after serving as the executive vice president of alumni and development for Davenport University for the last six years.

Render is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in business administration.