July 18, 2008

To Get Good Fund Raisers, a University Goes to Great Lengths

Talent-management plan at Irvine combines thank-you tokens, 'career mapping,' and high expectations

By GOLDIE BLUMENSTYK

As vice chancellor for advancement at the University of California at Irvine, Thomas J. Mitchell is running two campaigns: one to raise $1-billion for the university, and the other to attract and keep the people whose job it is to raise that money.

Considering the intense competition these days for development officers, Mr. Mitchell is just as determined that Irvine succeed with its "talent-management program" as he is about the daunting task of getting this young research university