Starr appoints new VP for Development

Baylor University President and Chancellor Ken Starr announced Sept. 10 that Dave Rosselli, executive director of institutional advancement at the University of Southern California (USC), will join the president's leadership team as vice president for university development, effective Nov. 2.

Rosselli comes to Baylor with more than two decades of demonstrated leadership, strategic planning and execution of development-related activities at both public and private institutions, including USC, University of the Pacific, University of California, Berkeley and Santa Clara University.

"Dave Rosselli brings to Baylor exceptional credentials in the area of university philanthropy, as well as a deep understanding of Baylor’s global mission and Pro Futuris vision," Starr said. "Philanthropy is vital to Baylor's continued ability to achieve its mission as a national research university that unapologetically embraces its Christian identity. We are delighted that Dave answered the call to come to Baylor and lead the university's strategic development initiatives into the future."

Since 2011, Rosselli has managed the development operations and staff for USC's Northern California advancement office in San Francisco, including coordinating all of USC’s activities in that part of the state, major and principal gifts, events and programs. He was the architect of USC's Northern California strategic vision in support of the university's $6 billion campaign.

At Baylor, Rosselli will lead a 70-member development staff that has had record success since 2012, including the most successful two-year period of fundraising in university history ($345.3 million from Feb. 1, 2012, through Feb. 28, 2014). Baylor is in the midst of the second phase of "From Here We Build," a five-year campaign to raise $320 million in support of student scholarships and faculty, student life enhancements, academic and program development and capital projects.

"I am very excited about joining the Baylor family during this transformational time in history for this great university," Rosselli said. "My wife, Christine, and I have sensed a profound calling to join Baylor and help lead the institution into this next era of excellence. I am honored to be given this opportunity to work closely with President Starr and the Executive Council, as well as the privilege to work alongside a seasoned development staff, which has been doing very impressive work. I look forward to being part of the dedicated mission of integrating academic excellence and the Christian faith."

Before joining USC, Rosselli served as assistant dean for institutional advancement at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific, where he was responsible for all areas of campaign development and fundraising for the school's $150 million relocation to downtown San Francisco.

Rosselli is a graduate of the University of the Pacific, with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism in 1985 and a master's degree in educational psychology in 1989.