Staff
Jeff Lorber
Vice Chancellor for Advancement, University of Illinois Springfield
Senior Vice President, University of Illinois Foundation
Jeff leads the fundraising and alumni engagement functions at UIS. He has been with the university since 2012 and directed UIS’ successful $42.5 million Reaching Stellar Campaign. He received the Outstanding Professional Fundraiser Award from the Capital Area Chapter (IL) of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2014.
Previously, Jeff was associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement and executive director of development for the SIU Foundation at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, serving as campaign director for that institution’s first comprehensive campaign, a successful $106 million effort. He was also vice chancellor for university advancement at Indiana University Northwest, director of development for the College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, director of university development at Northern Illinois University, director of major gifts at Butler University, director of major gifts at the University of Northern Iowa, and assistant director of development for the School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis.
Jeff earned a doctoral degree in educational administration and policy studies from the University of Tennessee. His master’s degree in college student personnel is from Western Illinois University and his bachelor’s degree in communications/public relations is from the University of Northern Iowa. He is a recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award from Western Illinois University.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-6058
Email: jlorber@uis.edu
Charles J. Schrage
Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Engagement
Having an impassioned belief in the transformative power of higher education, Chuck has worked at the University for 28 years, and began his tenure with the Division of Advancement in 2015. He has specialized in alumni engagement strategy, volunteer management, program management and university relations for a majority of his career; and is experienced with overall university operations and procedures. Chuck earned a master's degree in political science from UIS, and earned his bachelor's degree from MacMurray College. In his personal time, Chuck loves to exercise and experience world travel, passions which he shares with his wife and daughter.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-7390
Email: cschr1@uis.edu
Lisa Whelpley
Associate Vice Chancellor for Development
Lisa Whelpley is the UIS Associate Vice Chancellor for Development at UIS. She oversees the strategic design, collaboration, management and implementation of all alumni/donor mass communications and solicitations conducted by mail, phone, electronic and other means for the university. Lisa manages UIS’ successful Faculty and Staff Campaign each year. She earned a master's degree from the University of Illinois and her bachelor's degrees from Miami University. Before starting at UIS in 2001, Lisa worked in nonprofit fundraising at the Central Illinois Foodbank and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-6058
Email: whelpley.lisa@uis.edu
Nicole White
Executive Policy Advisor
Nicole is responsible for providing high-level consultation and administrative decision-making on behalf of the Division of Advancement and the UIS Vice Chancellor for Advancement/UIF Senior Vice President, general management of the Division of Advancement infrastructure, including budget management, selected development efforts, administration of the scholarship stewardship program, high-level donor and prospect research, and donor recognition opportunities. Nicole served in the United States Air Force and has worked in public service since 2009. Nicole is a 2021 graduate of the MPA program at UIS. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, sewing, and needlepoint.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-7074
Email: nicole.white@uis.edu
Jennifer Bettis
Director of Development
Corporate & Foundation Relations
Jen joined UIS in June 2021 as a Director of Development, focusing on Corporate and Foundation Relations and alumni and donor engagement in the Western region of the United States. She has spent her entire 22-year career connecting donors with causes they care about, working with them to make a lasting impact and experience the joy of giving. Jen received her master’s degree in interpersonal and organizational communication from the University of Illinois Springfield, where she also participated in the Graduate Public Service Internship (GPSI) Program. Originally from Quincy, Illinois, she received a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in public relations from Quincy University. In addition, Jen holds the designation of certified fundraising executive.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-7075
Email: jennifer.bettis@uis.edu
Pamela Hulten
Director of Development
Major gift officer for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Pam earned a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Pam has more than 20 years of experience in fundraising with several Central Illinois nonprofits, including Carle Center for Philanthropy and United Way of Champaign County. She is additionally pursing her MPA at UIS. Pam has the education and experience, but most importantly the passion, to do great things and impact people’s lives.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-6036
Email: pamela.hulten@uis.edu
Katie Champion Williams
Director of Development
Major gift officer for the College of Business and Management; Corporate and Foundations Fundraising
Katie earned a bachelor's degree in communications studies at Indiana State University in the early 2000s. Katie is currently pursuing her master’s degree in communication at UIS and looks forward to the completion of the program so she can also be a proud alumna of UIS. Prior to coming to the University of Illinois Springfield, she spent most of her career fundraising and doing education outreach with the American Cancer Society. Katie shares her passion for higher education and UIS to cultivate philanthropic relationships with alumni and friends of the university, both locally and throughout the greater Midwest.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-7389
Email: kwill50@uis.edu
Courtney Pritchard
Prospect Development and Segmentation Analyst
Courtney joined the UIS Division of Advancement in 2021 as a Prospect Development and Segmentation Analyst. Previously, she worked at the University of Illinois Foundation. She obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. While in college, she discovered the world of fundraising (more specifically Dance Marathon, benefitting local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals) and her passion for the field of development was ignited. When not spending time with her husband and young son, Courtney is an avid kindle reader, podcast listener, and quilter.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-6058
Email: cbp@uis.edu
Ashley Earnest
Marketing Associate
Ashley joined the UIS Division of Advancement in September 2022 as a Marketing Associate. She is responsible for developing and implementing marketing and communication tactics that enhance fundraising and alumni relation efforts. Ashley earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Prior to coming to UIS, Ashley developed marketing and fundraising strategies for multiple organizations, including Central Illinois Foodbank and The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-7079
Email: ashley.earnest@uis.edu
Krystal Geist
Assistant Director, Advancement Engagement
Krystal joined the UIS Division of Advancement in August 2023 as the Assistant Director, Advancement Engagement. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from UIS, and is responsible for developing and executing alumni and donor engagement initiatives. Prior to coming to UIS, Krystal worked to develop the marketing strategies, content, and logistics for various programs at multiple organizations. As an alumna, she is excited to use her marketing and communication skills to engage other alumni in the initiatives of the Division of Advancement.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-7798
Email: krystal.geist@uis.edu
Christopher Schmit
Office Support Specialist
Chris graduated from UIS in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in English, where he enjoyed his time at the university and had some great professors. He has worked in customer service and information technology for several local businesses. He enjoys reading, running, movies and football, and is also active with his church and volunteers as with CASA as a court appointed special advocate for Sangamon County. He has never worked in development and advancement before, and is looking forward to learning more about the field, and is excited to be a part of the advancement team.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-6058
Email: cschm20@uis.edu
Travis Nelson
Office Support Specialist
Travis graduated from WIU in the Fall of 2019, focusing his studies on Psychology, Sociology, and Political Science. Travis was a nontraditional student, first spending nearly a decade in retail sales before returning to his local community college, completing his associates, and transferring to WIU. Travis’ hobbies include photography, sewing, and practicing swordsmanship with various groups across Illinois. This is his first step into advancement, but he enjoys learning new things and getting to know new people.
Contact
Phone: (217) 206-7072
Email: tnels2@uis.edu
NPR ILLINOIS
Kate McKenzie
Director of Development
Kate is the director of development for NPR Illinois. She has worked in the Division of Advancement since December 2019, first doing marketing and communication for the office before switching over to NPR. Prior to joining UIS, Kate spent more than 16 years as a journalist, working in various reporter and editor roles at newspapers in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Her beats over the years included K-12 education, higher education, government and courts, as well as serving as the opinion page editor for the state capitol newspaper in Illinois. She enjoys spending time with her husband, toddler son and two stepsons. Kate earned a master's degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield and her bachelor's degree in mass communication – journalism from Winona State University in Minnesota.
Contact
Phone: 217-206-6094
Email: kate.mckenzie@uis.edu
UIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Sarah Brewer
Director of Development
Sarah joined UIS in October 2021 as Director of Development for the Performing Arts Center. Before moving to Illinois, she spent more than 11 years as a professor of Theatre Arts and most recently worked with the YMCA of Springfield. Sarah earned her MFA from Western Illinois University and has a background in grant writing, nonprofit fundraising and event planning. She is a proud FRIEND of the UIS Performing Arts Center and excited to build relationships with other individuals who share her passion for performing arts.
Contact
Phone: 217-206-8724
Email: sbrew5@uis.edu