Oakton Chief Advancement Officer Katherine Sawyer to serve on AGB Board of Directors

Des Plaines, Ill. (Sept. 19, 2022) - Oakton College Chief Advancement Officer Katherine Sawyer, CFRE, is among four higher education leaders recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). AGB is the premier member organization for strategic board governance in higher education. The organization empowers 40,000 members from more than 2,000 institutions and foundations to navigate complex issues, implement leading practices, streamline operations, and confidently govern.

In addition to her role as chief advancement officer, Sawyer also serves as Oakton’s associate vice president of Marketing and Communications. She oversees the work of the College’s educational foundation, alumni and affinity programs, marketing and communication, legislative affairs, and community relations. Sawyer came to Oakton College in 2018 after serving as executive director of Institutional Advancement and Foundation at Elgin Community College (Elgin, IL). Sawyer also previously served as associate executive director of the Harper College Educational Foundation at William Rainey Harper College (Palatine, Illinois).

“I am honored to be named a director for the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges,” Sawyer said. “AGB strengthens higher education governing boards and the strategic roles they serve within their organizations. It’s the trusted resource for board members, chief executives and key administrators on higher education governance and leadership.”

Sawyer holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in business administration from George Mason University. She is a certified fundraising executive and has a certified specialist designation for planned giving from the American Institute for Philanthropic Studies at California State University. A resident of Palatine, Sawyer is active in her community, including as a member of the League of Women Voters-Palatine Area.

Joining Sawyer as newly elected Directors are:

• Paul Brajchich, Board member, Gonzaga University
• Cynthia Shapira, Board Chair, Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE); Vice-chair, Brandies University
• David Wilson, Ed.D., President, Morgan State University

I am humbled by the accomplishments and depth of experience that these new board members bring to AGB,” said AGB President and CEO Henry Stoever. “AGB constantly works to empower college, university, and foundation boards and board members to govern with knowledge and confidence and to serve as strategic thought partners focused on long-term institutional vitality and equitable student success. Our board of directors is a key component of the association’s future success.”