California State University, San Bernardino announced the appointment of Adrian Paul Stevens as associate vice president for philanthropic giving with responsibility for campus fundraising efforts. Stevens will begin his service at CSUSB on March 1.

Stevens has nearly 28 years of experience identifying, cultivating and soliciting individual donors, corporations and foundations with a tailored approach to philanthropic giving. He had previously served at CSUSB from October 2005 to November 2008 as the director of development for the College of Education.

In his senior leadership career, Stevens served as vice president for advancement at Pitzer College, where he managed a team responsible for raising over $100 million as part of the planning and executing of major fundraising campaigns. The accomplishments include the inception and execution of Pitzer College’s 50Forward Campaign, which raised $53 million. Within this campaign, Stevens secured the largest gift in Pitzer’s history of $10 million to establish the Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California.

During his tenure as the director of development and campaign manager at CSUSB, he successfully executed the College of Education Tools for Education Campaign ($4.1 million) in support of the outfitting and equipment needs for the college’s Centers of Excellence – Literacy, Technology, and Counseling & Diagnostic. 

Stevens has worked in other advancement positions, including the director of development at the University of California, Irvine, where he managed the annual and leadership giving division.

As the senior director of development at University of California, Riverside’s School of Business, he most recently raised millions to support initiatives including a new building project, endowed professorships, and student success initiatives (scholarships, experiential learning projects, career development activities, student emergency support).

Stevens also oversees the external relations programming including major and principal giving of the school and alumni, corporate and community engagement activities. In this role, he is the primary advisor for the dean, UCR senior management team, and the dean’s executive council to coordinate development and external relations activities and strategies, including the international special interests. In addition, Stevens managed the development and execution of the overall strategic vision and plan of the school’s development office.

Robert J. Nava, the CSUSB vice president of advancement, said Stevens’ knowledge of Cal State San Bernardino and the inland region will be especially beneficial in advancing the university’s priorities. “Dr. Stevens’ appointment is significant as we embark on the university’s $200 million campaign to generate support for our students and faculty.’

Stevens added, “I am honored and excited to join CSUSB at this important time, to partner with the academic leadership, alumni, friends and staff as we collaborate to enhance philanthropy and the vitality of the region. For more than 60 years, the CSUSB degree continues to have a high return on investment, which is a testament to excellent leadership, vibrant faculty and committed staff. I look forward to helping CSUSB – one of the top 20 public universities in the West – secure the funding needed to continue its excellence in all areas.”

Although most of his career has been in higher education advancement, he is also an adjunct professor of public administration and public policy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Berea College in Kentucky, a master’s degree in management in international development from Hope International University in Fullerton and a DPA in public administration from the University of La Verne.