Dr. Dan Allen will serve as vice president for Advancement, effective July 1. (DePaul University/Maria Toscano)
This morning, April 5, President A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., announced the appointment of Dr. Dan Allen as vice president for the Office of Advancement, effective July 1.
Allen has served as vice president for development since October 2016. As the university's chief principal gifts officer, Allen has overseen all strategies related to individual, corporate and foundation giving. He previously served as DePaul's associate vice president for principal gifts.
"With more than 20 years of advancement experience in higher education, Dan has extensive knowledge of leading development operations and capital campaigns. He also cares deeply about DePaul's Catholic and Vincentian mission," Dr. Esteban says. "I appreciate his willingness to step into this leadership position, especially as we embark on a new strategic plan with bold goals to ensure DePaul's continued fiscal strength."
DePaul's commitment to serve low-income, first-generation students drew Allen to the university's Office of Advancement in 2015. DePaul also happens to be his father's and sister's alma mater.
"DePaul University matters. It plays an unparalleled role in the City of Chicago, and serves an invaluable, leadership role in the landscape of Catholic higher education in the United States. It is an honor to serve the DePaul community and carry forward its mission to provide an excellent education to all," Allen says. "I am extremely grateful for, and look forward to, the opportunity to work with so many talented and dedicated colleagues."
After serving in higher education administration for multiple years, Allen decided to pursue a doctorate at Loyola University-Chicago. His dissertation focused on how academically talented low-income students access postsecondary education. His research has been published in "Research in Higher Education," and he has presented frequently on improving opportunities for academically qualified, low-income students.
Prior to DePaul, Allen was the senior associate dean for external relations at the University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy. He also served as vice president of institutional advancement at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois and at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.
In March, Erin Minné, senior vice president for Advancement, announced her decision to step down at the end of the academic year.